IK Multimedia EQ-550

[KIMCHRISTOPHER]

I know that here on the forum there is someone from IK Multimedia!
Out of curiosity, why ik multimedia changed the interface of plugins that simulate API equalizers... They used to look a lot alike! Was it for copyright reasons?

[escalona]

I'm pretty sure that's the reason. The design form trademark of API knobs may (or it did already) give IK some problems and thus the change.

[AC222]

API is notorious for taking draconian measures with their copyrights and trademarks. Goes way back to them claiming they own the 500 series design for rack based units.

I recall visiting the hq of a company that makes gear inspired by API preamps and thet had a letter on the wall from API with strong language that started out complementary (in the spirit of hey, I have been watching what you are doing and admiring from afar) and strayed into a warning of veering too close to a recreaction. Think the letter was signed by some guy named Larry if my memory serves correct The company itself was cool about the whole thing but I thought the whole thing a bit silly and over the top.

Sign of the times in the litigious society we are in I guess.

[KIMCHRISTOPHER]

I didn't know the API had that philosophy. In the end what matters is the sound, but I really liked the look...

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

If you have a trademark, like API does with their unique knobs, or same for ELI and the big, white Distressor knobs, then you have to defend that trademark or you risk it becoming invalid. Companies may not like getting nastygrams from API, but they'd be risking the validity of the trademark by not doing so.

[jamcat]

This also happened with the British Channel. The original GUI looked much more like SSL. You may remember there was a placeholder GUI that looked like it was drawn with crayons for a while between the original GUI and the one now.

[KIMCHRISTOPHER]

It is true! I had forgotten!