From: alexander.hofmann@physik.uni-augsburg.de   
      
   Hello, all together.   
      
   My English is definitely not the best as well, but I'll try to translate   
   it anyway...   
      
   == translation start ==   
   The rights for reproduction of Hardware formally produced by Commodore,   
   such as C64, C65, Amiga and the corresponding chips as well, currently   
   are hold by a rights management company.   
   The idea is to raise money by donations to finally buy the rights from   
   the company und release the designs under some sort of Open Hardware   
   License, free to reproduce for everyone. This way, one could produce,   
   improve and even sell Commodore Chips and Hardware.   
      
   Please spread and discuss the idea in various forums and newsgroups.   
   == translation end ==   
      
   Well, as Martin said already, the Idea has been floating around for   
   quite some time now, but unfortunately with no real support withing "The   
   Community" - IHMO, at least.   
      
   But nevertheless, I _do_ think, it would be a great Idea. I've   
   summarized some pros & cons:   
      
   Pros:   
      
   o IHMO, old Hardware from the "time of beginning" is still the #1 source   
   for any kind of learning or teaching - no one is able to understand and   
   read (providing one has access to) schematics from recent computer   
   hardware such as mainboards etc. from scratch - whereas it _is_ possible   
   to read (and to some extend even understand) the PET schematics for   
   example, even with limited knowledge of electronics.   
   Releasing that information to the public legally would certainly improve   
   it's value in that matter.   
   o Commodore Hardware has proven to be one of the most withstanding   
   designs ever made, and with appropriate "care" might as well serve as a   
   "living monument" of computer history. in that case, releasing knowledge   
   to the well known Anonymous is in fact one endurable kind of   
   preservation (although I think it needs to be noted that preserving is   
   not the same as limply remembering or storing - as the latter doesn't   
   guarantee to be genuine and original).   
   o There's a large community still supporting an using Commodore   
   Computers, and the need for replacements and spare parts is still there   
   - however, as the production of these has been stopped years ago,   
   there's always something missing.   
      
   Con(s):   
   o Raising money by donations means a strong responsibility towards the   
   donators, and the implicit duty to do as promised. In that matter I   
   think, buying and releasing the rights by donated money on one hand, and   
   letting commercial companies earn money on the other hand would be   
   something I couldn't support.   
      
   So as an conclusion: I would suggest to combine that Idea with any kind   
   of "Organization" or "Society", a "Hardware Preservation Society" for   
   example (there might even be one already). This organisation could   
   manage the money and hold the rights, which are then published freely.   
   Any commercial reproducing company, however, should pay some very little   
   fee, say 2%, back to the organization, to ensure the work can be   
   continued, as there might be more designs that need to be "preserved".   
      
   So, if there's any kind of interest in that matter here, I think I would   
   be available for founding or joining such a project.   
      
   With best regards,   
      
   Alexander Hofmann.   
      
   PS: as this group seems to be limited to announcements, is there any   
   other place where such a  topic should be discussed instead?   
      
   Am 12.01.11 21:03, schrieb Martin Wohlauer:   
   > Am 04.01.2011 16:24, schrieb Braun Ludwig:   
   >> Please excuse me i can only German.   
   >   
   > Well, I might, but I'll still answer in german. Sorry.   
   >   
   >> Die Rechte zum Nachbauen der Commodore Hardware wie C64 C65 und Amiga   
   >> Hardware wie Chips und Computer gehören einer Rechteverwertungsfirma.   
   >> Vorschlag. Man sammelt Geld und kauft die Rechte zum Nachbau der   
   >> Commodore und Amiga Chips und gibt Sie unter einer Open Hardware Lizenz   
   >> frei zum Nachbauen und Fertigen für jede Firma weltweit.   
   >> Die Hardware wird dann als Copyleft Lizenz behandelt.   
   >> Jeder kann dann die Hardware und die Chips verbessern und eigne   
   >> Nachbauten auf dem Markt bringen.   
   >   
   > Wär ich dafür!   
   >   
   >> Redet doch in den diversen Commodore Foren über diesen Vorschlag durch   
   >> Spenden Gelder die Commodre Hardware und Chips zur Open Hardware zu machen.   
   >   
   > Werds mal ins F64 schmeißen. Hab da schon mal sowas angedeutet, aber   
   > dort waren die Leute irgendwie pessimistischer, gerade was das   
   > produzieren selbst angeht.   
   >   
   > Grüßle,   
   >   
   >  Martin.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)