That is pretty damn steep for training usage of one
wiring diagram, especially if (as Bruce alluded to) it's not a perpetual license. I wonder if that includes all the diagrams, and is maybe intended for publishers like Haynes and Alldata. If so, that actually might not be a bad price for what you get, although it isn't what Ross-Tech was looking for.
One drawing was our understanding for that fee. We would have been able to reproduce and to put it on our web site with acknowledgment of the source.
It might be in VAG's interest as a whole, but it might not be in the interest of the department or division that's in charge of this. VAG does dump a ton of money into products like , Elsa, ETKA,
erWin, etc. They charge for those products accordingly. I'm sure there are profit-and-loss statements for that department, and some suit's year-end bonus depends on that P&L looking good. I'd bet that's why they cut off Bentley Publishers a while back.
Not sure what led to the demise of Bentley/VWoA relationship but it had to do with Right to Repair and the need for VWoA to place the information on the web. Bentley also published to the web and the smack down came after they had done so.
As to the point about a profit center, VWoA had no policy in place for a request like ours. We asked because we expected trouble if we used their stuff without permission. Maybe the reason others get away with posting VWoA materials on the web is that they don't bother to ask.
No automaker seems to have a comfortable relationship with their DIY community. They depend on the loyalty, but I'm sure they feel like they're missing out on revenue too. I would guess they draw the line at people trying to profit off those materials. There's a certain site, I'm sure you know, that's been hosting copies of almost all VW SSPs for many years now. VAG hasn't seen fit to pursue them.
No they have not pursued them. Haven't a clue why. However, if we posted their material, they would be at our door.
I think Ross-Tech would have been perfectly fine using a sample of a VW
wiring diagram. An excerpt taken for training and educational purposes, given away without charge, that doesn't affect the market for the original material falls squarely within the
fair-use exceptions of US copyright law. Of course, if you already have an acrimonious relationship with VW, why poke the bear? Even if you would win in the end, there's no need to buy your attorney a yacht. Jef did a really kick-ass job with the training mock-up, and it'll do the job nicely.
Not sure you are correct Jason on the use in the eyes of VWoA. We were very specific about what we planned. Originally, we were talking about training classes - both in person and in video. We were talking about giving diagrams as handouts. They knew the plan. Their price was for that intended use.
As to Jef doing a really kick ass job - yes he did! I had opportunity to teach with his materials in late January. We were invited to speak to a local chapter of the ASA about VAG diagnostics. The audience was shop owners who did little or no VAG work but wanted to get into it. Santos and I decided that we should talk wiring diagrams - something they had asked about because they did not know how to read them.
One guy in the room was doing VAG work and guess what tool he used? But even he learned from Jef's materials. They want access to the video because they want their techs to learn all this.
I agree ... Kudos to Jef. It is all his work and it is awesome! Anyone guess why it is easy for me to manage the Operations of RT? I got Kick Ass people like Jef: Dana, Peter, Andy, Sebastian, Santos, Helen, Karri, Jen, Sage, Tom, Olga, Yanping, Eric, and Shaun. With talented dedicated people, not much stops the success they create. Add to that, they love having fun together and you have a great team! Uwe should be pleased with the team he brought together.
