CompuServe Thread

#Escom Buys Commodore

26 messages in this thread
#189095From: Dan StetsMar 15, 1995 5:58 AM
Thanks. No, I don't own an Amiga. Many years ago, I bought a Commodore 64 but it has been out of use for a long time. I use a Compaq. I started using IBM-compatibles at work about 12 years ago and have been using them ever since. — Dan
#189160From: Mark CorboMar 15, 1995 7:57 PM
Well, given your significant contributions in very trying times, I believe we could consider you an honorary member of the Amiga community anyway. 🙂
#189234From: Dan StetsMar 16, 1995 5:21 AM
Well, thank you.
#189168From: Eduard JosephMar 15, 1995 8:49 PM
Why did you decided to follow up on the Amiga? I though it might it been because you have the same problem most of us got into when we bought the system (we fell in love with it). But this story seems hard to follow, very twisted, and it does not seem to have an end. Specially for a Compaq guy. But anyways, for whatever the reasons. THANKS a lot for comming out with INFO!!! 🙂 Eduard Joseph
#189235From: Dan StetsMar 16, 1995 5:23 AM
I'm a newspaper reporter and it's a good story. Also, the enthusiasm of Amiga users intrigued me. I thought that if the computer was as good as its users said, there must be some other reason the company failed. That curiosity has sustained my interest. — Dan
#189250From: Gary KleinerMar 16, 1995 1:53 PM
Dan, We miss you on the Sunday night conference. Could you please recap what the current situation is? Thanks, Gary
#189251From: Michael SheaMar 16, 1995 2:01 PM
Dan, Have you thought about writing a book on the Commodore situation. I think it might make interesting reading. ._ _ _ INTERNET: mshea@math.arizona.edu | | |ichael _>hea COMPUSERVE: 76665,3360
#189400From: Ron LegroMar 17, 1995 8:28 PM
Dan, it would be worth noting that your paper had a special local interest in Commodore, since it was headquartered nearby. I don't think many folks realize that.
#189470From: Dan StetsMar 18, 1995 6:13 AM
Ron — Of course, you are right. My paper does have an interest in Commodore because its North American headquarters was here. It also explains why I have been given time and money to follow the story. — Dan
#189652From: Gabe J. FederMar 19, 1995 11:52 PM
Dan, Thanks for following this story to the possibly very sad and bitter end. What you have mentioned about Escom does suggest as someone else has said that they are "… the perfect successors to C=…" Some might say that someone who has stuck with the Amiga and still has a 1000 around is rooting for a loser… They may be right 😉 –Gabe
#189699From: Jim SakladMar 20, 1995 9:06 PM
Gabe – > Some might say that someone who has stuck with the Amiga and still has a > 1000 around is rooting for a loser… On a very important level, it isn't ABOUT winners and losers. My wife and I decided to get an Amiga (not an Atari, also considered in 1985) because it appeared to be the right technology for us at the time. In this house, there are now one A4000 with/Warp-4040/Emplant, one A2000/Zeus-040, one plain A2000, 2 non-used A1000's, a couple of non-used PC laptops, a 386DX40. We have not regretted getting any of them. I plan to use my A4k as long as it keeps working, whether there is a support company or none. jsaklad@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
#189744From: daniel wolfMar 21, 1995 2:09 AM
My Amigas are also going strong and will do until 'the tires fall off' – at which time I will try to repair the tires and keep going.
#189743From: daniel wolfMar 21, 1995 2:08 AM
So does anyone know if ESCOM plans to make Amigas?
#189790From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMar 21, 1995 3:51 PM
Daniel, At this point, ESCOM has only bought the trademarks, not the technology. Some unless something has changed….they couldn't build Amigas. In fact, if my information is correct, the trademark they bought was the Commodore name and trademark, not the Amiga name and trademark. Don p.s. IF something new has come up…someone else will jump in and correct me I'm sure.
#189804From: Michael SheaMar 21, 1995 5:46 PM
Don, I thought Dan Stets said the after initially trying to buy just the trademark and coming up against legal opposition, they bid on and won the whole ball of wax, subject to the results of the auction. ._ _ _ INTERNET: mshea@math.arizona.edu | | |ichael _>hea COMPUSERVE: 76665,3360
#189858From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMar 22, 1995 1:38 AM
Michael, That wasn't my understanding…but I could be wrong. My understanding was they bought the trademarks but were willing to give them up if they recovered their 1.6 million. Don
#189862From: Dale LarsonMar 22, 1995 4:24 AM
They bid on the whole ball of wax. There is no sense in which they've won, they are just the default (if no higher bidder). dale@iam.com http://www.iam.com Intangible Assets Manufacturing
#189880From: Michael SheaMar 22, 1995 11:40 AM
>They bid on the whole ball of wax. There is no sense in which they've won, >they are just the default (if no higher bidder). Thats what I meant to say. Don't you know you are supposed to listen to what I mean not what I say? 8^)…. ._ _ _ INTERNET: mshea@math.arizona.edu | | |ichael _>hea COMPUSERVE: 76665,3360
#189883From: Dale LarsonMar 22, 1995 12:55 PM
Sorry, I'm not part-betazoid. If I was, I'd probably be much nicer-looking. dale@iam.com http://www.iam.com Intangible Assets Manufacturing
#189955From: Michael SheaMar 23, 1995 12:38 AM
Yeh, and you would also be entirely too politically correct. 8^)… ._ _ _ INTERNET: mshea@math.arizona.edu | | |ichael _>hea COMPUSERVE: 76665,3360
#189977From: John ChangMar 23, 1995 10:00 AM
Dale, You said and I quote, "Sorry, I'm not part-betazoid. If I was, I'd probably be much nicer-looking." Yeah, right now you look like a nice-looking Ferengi. ;-} I'm kidding! I'M KIDDING! Regards, John Chang
#189876From: EducomMar 22, 1995 10:58 AM
As I don't really understand why Escom only bought the TM, I guess that's yet another financial big swindle… Could it be something like Escom will tell the Amiga buyer (if there's one) that, since the C= logo is still on the hardware circuitry plans, a license fee is needed to use them? Fred. Frederic Botton from Paris, France fbotton@cix.compulink.co.uk
#189884From: Dale LarsonMar 22, 1995 12:55 PM
Escom wants to sell C= branded PC's. dale@iam.com http://www.iam.com Intangible Assets Manufacturing
#189959From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMar 23, 1995 1:12 AM
Frederic, In Europe…the name Commodore is valuable. Don
#189901From: Jim ButterfieldMar 22, 1995 5:43 PM
Wonder what the situation is in Canada? The Commodore trademark has been licensed (sold? I dunno) for use on PC computers. If it's a license, Commodore Canada still have a source of revenue of sorts. It it was a sale, then the purchaser would be in the same situation as ESCOM. Oddly enough, a local computer journal recently did a product comparison of MS-DOS/Windows platforms currently available. It was something of a shock to read that the Commodore machine was rated as a best buy – fine workmanship and a good price. Must puzzle the heck out of people who don't know the story. –Jim
#190083From: BILL LEACHMar 24, 1995 10:48 AM
I understand that the TM rights purchased would only be good in Europe (may even not in UK). The company that sold the rights to the TM definately did NOT have the rights to the TM in the US. -bill