Gibson SG Droop Is A Thing Of The Past!

Ugggh, I need to get an SG back in my life.

There used to be this very long hall in one of the Collins Avionics buildings with nothing but plaques with individual patents on them and the engineers that made them possible. However, if an engineer develops something unique and patentable while working for the company and its resources, the company ultimately owns the patent. The engineer that made it possible is rightfully pictured, but he/she could not just take the patent and start their own company, or work for a competitor, and expect to use it. I don't hear the word "patent" used any longer. It was replaced with the term "Intellectual Property" or "IP". A lot of "IP" is software formulas that calculate complex flight guidance operations. Like you said, if you're going to patent something everyone gets to see what your idea was. A simple change in a formula could infringe on your patent and you might never know or ever be able to prove it. Naturally, any employee that reveals IP to anyone outside of the company, or even in it, gets terminated. Patents seem to be an exception to the rule. If Rockwell International wanted to patent something, they would fund it and have the lawyers in place to process it.

Matt Wietlispach

You've still got it Fran!

Dr Andy Hill

Great Idea :D I'll have to try this on my SG :D

Michael Turner-Craig

Super cool idea! And yes, getting a patent is $$$!

Richard H. Shores

Heeeeey, so nice to see you back, dear! I was worried about you. Hope you're relatively okay <3

Keri Szafir

Getting the patent is the easiest part. Manufacturing, selling, defending... good luck.

Great idea, Fran! I just use a big binder clip on my archtop straps to stop neck dive. A little sketchy and not as elegant as your solution!

Ah Clem

super sweet trick! I wonder how many other folks came up with that idea on the road...

Joel Murphy

I like the invention, but I LOVE the Fran band!

David Peaker