[Amps] BK Precision Test Equipment

Thu Aug 18 17:59:23 EDT 2005

David,

Yea, I don't like the part they have their either on copyrights. However, ones storing them, or giving them away, I've never seen anything said. Even on ebay, they sell used manuals, and some copies all the time. I think the ones that was aimed at were the ones selling them on the net as manual companies. They would buy a new manual for say $25 and run it through a copier, then turn around and sell it for $10 or so undercutting BK Manuals. Free copies, you can be assured they're not after, or was the way they spoke to me. So Bama and others wont have to worry. The company is fully aware of the ones hosting any now and they've never said a word that I know of. It's more about any who tries to profit from it by buying the new manuals, and reselling the copies in my opinion. You've got to figure, they made a pretty good size investment there and they want to look after their business. You also pay for the quality of the manuals. The ones from BK Manuals are good original copies of the old with 11 X 17 prints on a lot of equipment. One has to look at; do I download a free manual and hope I can read the prints, or buy a new one where I can for sure? Bama will be the first to tell you, don't gripe over quality, as you have to accept what you get.

One thing in BK Manuals defense is that a good bit of the old equipment is going to be built again, with some updates. That equipment to me was way better than some of this import stuff is. I could see them saying something about manuals on new equipment, or equipment they were going to bring back, the same as Agilents new. Agilent only agreed to old outdated manuals to be hosted. If it weren't for the complaints a while back, they wouldn't be any legally free Agilent/HP manuals on the net at all. Any new equipment manuals from Agilent will be more than anything BK charges too I'd about bet. As for other companies like Tektronix, and others, I don't know what their policies are.

The manuals though, I have no part of, and will not have. I can only speak for the repair buisness for where it is at this time. Even the new equipment has to be bought through a distributor (if your a reseller), or dealer. Neither of those I am but intend on selling as a dealer later on.

Best,

Will

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 8/18/05 at 10:19 PM David Kirkby wrote:

>Will Matney wrote:
>> All,
>> 
>> I've had a few e-mails with questions about when I would be doing the
>service work for BK Precision test equipment. Right now, My contract will
>begin around Feburary 2006. Starting this October, things will be
>finalized, and by Feburary, all the repair parts will be shipped here
>except for the scopes. Eventually, they will be here too when I have the
>space. Until then, the scope parts will be shipped as needed. Right now, I
>can do some repairs, but not anything extensive without the parts and some
>special test jigs on hand. For anything extensive before then, please
>contact BK Manuals at the website and e-mail below. Tell them I sent you.
>> 
>> One word about what the repair business will be. BK Manuals bought the
>rights, tooling, and parts for the entire test equipment line that was
>manufactured in the US by BK Precision. Most know that the new BK
>Precision equipment is now imported. BK Manuals have been doing the repair
>on the older equipment for BK Precision, and I will be doing that after
>Feburary 2006. This will be any repairs that come into BK Manuals from
>customers, or from BK Precision. BK Manuals will be discontinuing the
>service work so they can get the manufacturing started on the new
>equipment they are bringing back.
>> 
>> Website;
>> 
>> http://www.bkmanuals.com/
>> 
>> E-Mail;
>> 
>> info at bkmanuals.com
>> 
>> Sincerely,
>> 
>> Will Matney
>> Amateur Transformer & Supply
>
>I think we can all be thankful Agilent have taken a *very* different 
>line to BK when it comes to documentation:
>
> From the site you link - I used '()' to indicate the bits from the 
>site, and '//' to add my own comments.
>
>
>() What We Do:
>
>() Bkmanuals.com has purchased the copyrights to
>() reproduce these manuals in order to provide the
>() information necessary to operate/service these
>() models.
>
>() We own the copyright to listed BK Precision Equipment.
>() It is illegal for anyone to violate any of the rights
>() provided by the copyright law to the owner of that copyright.
>
>() Instead of putting information about all the penalties
>() and fines induced by Copyright Infringement, we are
>() simply going to state these facts.
>
>// Is that because there are no prosecutions?
>
>()    * We have Attorneys on retainer.
>()    * We look for pirates selling BK Precision copies.
>
>// You must have better eyesight than me, as I never see anyone selling 
>them.
>
>()    * We purchase the items they are selling.
>
>()    * Our attorneys prosecute.
>
>() We have a 100% conviction rate.
>
>// Is that 100% of zero?
>
>() It's just not worth it !
>
>// I would agree. You might as well get a free license from Agilent and 
>sell their manuals if that is what you want to do.
>
>In contrast, myself and several others have licenses from Agilent to 
>reproduce manuals
>
>http://www.home.agilent.com/cgi-bin/pub/agilent/library/cp_LibraryFAQDetail.jsp?NAV_ID=-536895978.536895117.02&NAV_FROM_REF=-536895979.536902207.00&LANGUAGE_CODE=eng&CONTENT_KEY=1000002849%3aepsg%3afaq&ID=1000002849%3aepsg%3afaq&COUNTRY_CODE=GB
>
>How much did the license cost me? $0.00
>Can I charge for copies any amount I want? Yes
>Do I personally sell copies? No - I have more interesting ways of making 
>money.
>Can I put them on a public web server for free download? Yes.
>Can I distribute on CD, DVD or similar? Yes
>Do I have any online? Yes - see  http://www.g8wrb.org.uk/data/HP/
>
>Sorry Will, but I for one will not be buying any BK test equipment - I 
>think I'll stick to HP!!! At least I will not have to worry about the BK 
>cops coming after me if I copy a manual!!
>
>
>-- 
>David Kirkby,
>G8WRB
>
>Please check out http://www.g8wrb.org/
>of if you live in Essex http://www.southminster-branch-line.org.uk/
>
>
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