Announcing the 2016/2017 PE Speaker Building Design Team Call

[Parts Express]

Once again, Parts Express is looking for a team of 10 talented individuals who love to build speakers and who want to share their talents with other speaker building enthusiasts. We will be accepting applications through August 31st, and you can learn more about our SBDT as well as submit your application here:

https://www.parts-express.com/speakerdesign_team

Here are some FAQs we hope will help in your decision to apply:

1) The contract term is for 1 year and current members may re-apply for another term.
2) Members must complete three projects throughout the year: one project using PE cabinets, one project with basic woodworking and then one "no rules" project.
3) Members will receive free product to build their projects.
4) SBDT members get to keep their projects.
5) SBDT members are permitted to enter MWAF as they are separate groups.
6) SBDT members must be legal residents of the US. (Sorry, no international applications)
7) The project submitted for application for the SBDT does not need to be new - we just want to see your style, project details and your writing style.

Thank you for your support of Parts Express and we cannot wait to see your projects!

[kenny_k]

"4) SBDT members get to keep their projects." Does this mean "intellectual property".

[[email protected]]

Completed and approved project designs become the intellectual property of Parts Express. The physical project becomes the property of the Speaker Building Design Team member.

[badman]

So the payoff is in the parts and recognition? Nothing wrong with any of that just seeking clarity.

[kenny_k]

Got enough design rip-off. No thanks.

[[email protected]]

So the payoff is in the parts and recognition? Nothing wrong with any of that just seeking clarity.

Correct! And the potential for your project(s) to be featured in our upcoming Sound Solution flyers.

[Derekj]

"6) SBDT members must be legal residents of the US. (Sorry, no international applications)"

Just wondering why? Same rule apply's for the giveaways as well.

[Audion]

Got enough design rip-off. No thanks.

Hey Kenny,

Do folks actually "steal" designs? If so, are we talking about for commercial gain, or just people taking credit personally?

Shawn

[hongrn]

"6) SBDT members must be legal residents of the US. (Sorry, no international applications)"

Just wondering why? Same rule apply's for the giveaways as well.

Once PE approves a design, they ship the drivers and all accessories, including crossover components to the team member. Imagine the cost of shipping everything overseas.

[kenny_k]

The loss of "intellectual property" is like telling da Vinci he can't take credit for the Mona Lisa. Permitted use of "intellectual property" is one thing, not total control.
Yes, designs are stolen for profit and design details are not freely posted by some.

[badman]

I wouldn't call it stealing if you mean PE's role, they're making their terms clear. If you mean people reading the design then passing it off as their own, yep, stealing. I agree- permitted use would be a better agreement.

Funny thing- I'm an 8 year member with over 1100 posts but I'm a New Member. Artifact of moderator action, but it's a funny thing to see

[kenny_k]

The "new member" label may be because of the "banned" label. Looks like a reset is needed.

[jhollander]

2) Members must complete three projects throughout the year: one project using PE cabinets, one project with basic woodworking and then one "no rules" project.

Do both the PE unfinished knock down and finished cabinets meet the PE cabinet definition?

[markk]

I think this is a fine idea by PE.

I think it entirely reasonable that PE keeps the IP, so to speak. When you do research for a corporation or university, usually they keep the rights to the IP.
I can see the point that you might not think it's worth it-every one decides this for him/herself.

As far as the analogy to the Mona Lisa. Hmmm, someone thinks highly of his design skills
Plus, the analogy is not a very good one, and here's why. If you paint a great work of art, say for example, er, the Mona Lisa, you can't really make another one and say, it's better. You know, Mona Lisa V2, the upgraded version...

Unlike the Mona Lisa and other truely unique artistic creations, this works all the time for speakers/audio. If you design an outstanding design for PE, and it wins competitions, all you have to do is develop a V2 version, the "upgraded version." You make some minor changes and you now own your IP back. Or, well, an 'upgraded" version at least. If you, the creator say the upgraded version is better, well then it is. (From a marketing standpoint.)

So really, not much of a problem, is it.

[kenny_k]

It's reasonable if you allow it. As for the Mona Lisa, there's some extremely good forgers that may disagree.