Bob Hunt, this whole discussion about "pirated" plans really deserves a separate thread. It's no wonder that Bob Mears responded as he did as it sounded personal.
Mr. Hunt: I believe
you made it very personal by demeaning Bob Mears - who I don't even know - in this forum. And, by implication, anyone else who offers copies of plans.
KISS: Does Mears have the right to offer in any, way, shape or form plans to which he owns the rights? YES OR NO?
You write: "Gee, I'm sure it takes a lot of effort to scan, copy and distribute the hard work and long hours of designing others have done. Hope you find some time to rest up."
Nice try yourself,
Bob! But - as in many of your other statements and
assumptions - completely unfounded. I have about 400 control line plans altogether. Not ONE - nada - zero - zip - are offered as downloaded or scanned. I've thought nothing of spending 8 hours or more to clean up a single plan. I told Greg at the AMA Plans Service I have much cleaner versions of plans the service offers - corrected for scale, by the way - and plan to provide many of them to AMA. It's called "a labor of love". I have hundreds of messages from buyers who have been delighted to find (relatively clean) plans they didn't realize were available.
By the way, I've been in touch with Cal Smith's family - delighted to find his works are still popular. I’ve forwarded meaningful pieces. And I have permission - in writing - from many of the designers whose plans I offer. And several messages from them too, expressing joy their designs are still offered. I even offered to provide Riley Wooten with some of his plans when he stated his were all lost in the fire. Perhaps too often egos prevent meaningful sharing.
While we're getting personal, a couple of statements: Golly gee whiz, those of us who regularly post here are
not the center of the universe. While some of us may think of ourselves as legends, most of the universe is completely oblivious. Plan sales to even this large group are but a tiny portion of the interest in control line plans. Case in point: I've sold at least 10 plans to an individual in North Carolina who lives not more than 20 minutes from where I lived for 3 years. I've given him contact info for several individuals who would be delighted to hear from him, told him about the club and contests in Huntersville twice a year, and more - and he has NO INTEREST. I also connected another buyer in that area with a club member, got them talking, and ... the buyer never showed up, never followed through. This is very common.
You graced my email inbox some time back with one of your stories,
Bob, perhaps the Cavalier. I didn't request it. Is reading everything you write required reading now?
I'm deeply offended by some of your remarks, and yes,
Ken Culbertson, I'm serious with my offer - you imply anyone selling plans is getting rich, so come and get them! I personally
LOST money for several years and have the numbers to prove it. You of all people here should understand that. Any intelligent person looking at my resume would conclude I must be crazy to be involved in selling plans.
Speaking only for myself: I don't sell the offerings of Pat King, Pat Johnston, anything offered by PAMPA to the best of my knowledge (since it's so easy,
Bob, how are PAMPA sales doing?). I'll gladly refrain from selling anything a rights holder objects to.
And frankly, I think of my service as one of providing (relatively) clean, printed copies mailed in secure packaging.
Bob, I don’t believe anything I’ve written here suggests in any way, shape or form you’re responsible for the demise of Flying Models. But you’re presenting us with the ‘moral high ground”, so to speak. How about answering a very simple question -
Exactly who is - to use your own words - “… [making] money on something that someone else labored to produce?”
Your friend wants to build a Cessna 170 from the old Berkeley plans; SIG won’t provide them. Will you offer him a copy, or tell him “just forget it?” It’s a simple question! Which choice best promotes the hobby?
You copied pages from a copyrighted book, then had them enlarged. Is that legal? YES OR NO?
I’ll say another thing about too many in our hobby – “It’s all about me!” I’m banned from a facebook Combat group by an administrator who was very angry that I used a photo published in a magazine; he wasn’t the photographer but seemed to think he owned it. Strangely, he earlier used about 5 or 6 photos of mine in a PowerPoint presentation – which he would insist was copyrighted – without ever contacting me. I didn’t mind; why would I?
And yes, I provided many plans of profile warbirds especially that were my designs - before the Midwest series came out – freely. One of my combat designs was kitted on a limited scale some years ago without my prior knowledge or blessing. I thought it was great!
Frankly,
Bob and
Ken, I respect your rights to your works. But some of your comments here – and especially your
assumptions – are things I might expect to hear from ignorant jackasses. Yes - putting aside emotions and operating with intellectual integrity, you’re that far off!
Bob, you write: “Dennis: You and I will never see eye to eye on this matter. I wonder; have you ever had one of your designs published? If so, did you receive compensation for the design by whomever published it? And if so, would you feel comfortable with someone pirating your design and selling it for profit without your permission? Perhaps your moral compass is different than mine and you would not care about any of that. Each of us is different.”
Yes, I agree – we’re different. What I’m hearing from you is concern for “compensation” and what I might call “pride.” I’m motivated largely by a sense of helping others enjoy the hobby, and the many Thanks I receive. You might enjoy a study of Spiritual Gifts. I’ve known for many years what mine is - and it isn't about acquiring wealth.
Dennis