Pianotech

  • 1.  S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-08-2019 10:29
    So is there any piano manufacturer besides STY that uses the flange style that Steinway uses?  Surely it's patented.   If so, I wonder what kind of control they have over the duplication of that flange by parts manufacturers and how long before they try to stop them from making them? 

    Gary Bruce
    Registered Piano Technician


  • 2.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Posted 01-08-2019 11:06
    Each manufacturer has a different profile to contact the rail. That probably is enough of a difference not to infringe on a patent.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-08-2019 11:19
    Gary,

    When Falcone pianos were made in Haverhill, MA, they were using what amounted to Steinway action parts. I regularly service a few of these, from the '80s and '90s. Never heard about Steinway going after them for doing that. Could the patent have expired?

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-08-2019 13:19
    The modification that Falcone made in his flange profile is what Renner USA uses now.

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Posted 01-08-2019 20:53
    The patent expired long before we were born. This is 150 year old prehistoric technology. Even though Theodore filed a patent every time he farted, patents are not forever.

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-08-2019 21:39
    ROFL!!!

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-09-2019 19:28
    In general, U.S. patents filed before 1995 expire after 17 years. Patents filed after 1995 are good for 20 years from the date of application (as long as periodic "maintenance" fees are paid). If you are a pharmaceutical company with tons of lobbyists and lawyers and have figured out how to scam the system it can be several years longer. 

    Most piano related patents of any real consequence have expired years ago. But we keep trying. 

    ddf

    --
    Delwin D Fandrich
    Fandrich Piano Company, Inc.
    Piano Design and Manufacturing Consulting Services -- Worldwide
    6939 Foothill Ct SW -- Olympia, WA 98512 -- USA
    Phone 360.515.0119 -- Mobile 360.388.6525



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-10-2019 07:42
    I am curious about artists reaction to the Steinway new/rebuilt situation? I know of one who, while a long-time Steinway owner, has recently become a Yamaha artist and is thrilled with the change. Other factors, of course, than the condition of the pianos, but he spoke at length about a model of---I think---concert grand that is more warm than what most people think you will get from a Yamaha. I am out of my depth here since I work on zero concert grands, but still curious!

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    Cindy Strehlow
    Urbana, IL
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: S&S Patent/trademark?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-11-2019 10:15
    If you are ever in a pinch, don’t be afraid to screw a flat-bottomed hammer flange to a S&S tubular rail.

    Bob Anderson, RPT
    Tucson, AZ


    Original Message