Quoted from Dmod:
The same group behind the Pin2DMD (Lucky1, Steve, and Rappelbox) has also worked to create knockoffs of PinDMD, the Run-DMD clock, and Pinsound.
There is no "group" or what you want to call it.
Without me it would still be a hobby project, it was intended to be! So blame it on me, not on them...
I found the system amazing so I decided to spread it. Same with GoDMD. I love the fact that everyone is free to use his/her personal skills to colorize a game to his personal liking, and not been forced to use a certain preset, given by someone else.
If I understand US copyright laws correct then its legal to spread macros (pinball browser), config files (no copyrighted material included) etc.
None of the people mentioned above sells complete colorizations. In fact i'm not even selling/providing presets.
There are other people trying to make profit of it and i'm not talking about the guys colorizing their own games and taking donations.
There was never an attempt to copy colordmd or other systems, which would be surely possible, but that would be illegal. So there hasn't been even thought of, at least by me and I would bet from Steve45 and Lucky1 either.
I see a legit competition, running different systems to colorize formally single colored DMDs, given different hardware and different techniques.
I see:
-ColorDMD
-PIN2DMD
-pinDMD
-SmartDMD
-prototypes of other systems etc.
-PROC
So this looks to me like "state-of-the-art", and not a ColorDMD-unique and patentable thing. But i live in Europe, so I might have a different understanding of patents then you!
It sounds to me like you are trying to protect your monoploy, given the circumstances that your biggest donor (stern) is not delivering its Pinballs with classic DMDs anymore...
If I had the will to compete with you i had colorized different games and sold them just a few bucks cheaper then your sets.
But, like lucky1 and steve45, that is not my intention.
Great products always lead to some kind of intimidators, but like mentioned SEVERAL times before, it has never been the intention to COPY your product.
Just MY 2 cents.
@taxman:
I love the effort you did on T2, but i don't like the colors you used. That's why i will use my own colorization, for my personal use!
No one is forced to use a ColorDMD or a PIN2DMD, just give people the chance to decide on their own which system to use, with all it's benefits and drawbacks. But i think thats exactly the point where you think your patent comes into game.
I wish all the best to all involved parties, may we find a satisfactory solution to this.
Dominik