quote: Brad Miller

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Not really. Just because a note is sustained (and a much different one) does not constitute a copyright violation.

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I know it is not a true copyright issue, but you don't rip off a THX trailer do you? The entire trailer looks like a rip off
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 12-19-2010, 01:54 AM:
 
I agree with you -- the entire "campaign" (using 3 letters, etc) is fishy. There's definitely a strong similarity there. But I don't think it's illegal. No less legal than Pepsi being similar to Coke, or McDonald's and Burger King being similar.

I also agree with Brad. The mere concept of sustaining a note is not grounds for copyright. Even if the exact same tones and instruments were used, you can't copyright a simple chord. That'd be insane.

My hunch is that this falls under the general sub-heading of "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

It's not the sustained part that makes the THX "Deep Note" worthy of copyright. The entire work consists of several synthesized glissandi that start at specific frequencies and eventually arrive at a particular sustained chord.

According to Tom Holman, what made "Deep Note" even more unique was the algorithm devised to achieve it. The technology was barely there when it was recorded. Unfortunately, our conversation took place a few years back -- a lot of it went over my head at the time and it's hard to remember things I don't entirely understand -- but the short of it was that it is more complicated "under the hood" than most would imagine.

I'll ask him again and see if he'll allow me to reprint it here.

Please stand by.
 

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Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 12-19-2010, 04:11 PM:
 
I think the 3 letter thing is more because the major chains love acronyms:
XD, RPX, ETX, etc.. the fact that it is 3 letters like THX seems like its more of a coincidence.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-19-2010, 04:56 PM:
 
And thank the heavens for "3D toothpaste"!
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 12-19-2010, 09:06 PM:
 
Three letters...and ends with "X"
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-20-2010, 10:45 AM:
 

quote: Manny Montes

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I think the 3 letter thing is more because the major chains love acronyms:
XD, RPX, ETX

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I blame the car companies for starting that.

Maybe I should change the name of my theatre to "ROX".
 

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Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 12-20-2010, 12:58 PM:
 
Shouldn't there be a small "i" in front to make it really special?
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 12-20-2010, 05:02 PM:
 
iAN

You're right!
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 12-20-2010, 11:32 PM:
 

quote: Mike Blakesley

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Maybe I should change the name of my theatre to "ROX"

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You're right Mik.

Jon.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-21-2010, 12:36 AM:
 
Its Joh silly.
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 12-21-2010, 02:21 AM:
 
OK, but you do realize that makes you 'Bra' then.

Joh.
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-21-2010, 03:19 AM:
 
Just call me JRX. Brad can be BMX (which is awesome).
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-21-2010, 03:41 AM:
 
Nope, you're Red.

Got something against bras there, John?
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 12-21-2010, 05:19 AM:
 

quote: Brad Miller

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Got something against bras there, John?

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I could say something here but I won't for fear it may incriminate me.
 

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Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 12-21-2010, 08:28 PM:
 
Great, another way for them to show me commercials, in high definition.
 

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Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-21-2010, 10:05 PM:
 
And what's the facination with the letter X anyway? RPX, THX, ETX, XD, XL, CRX, X-Box, Xtacy, and of course, XXX...eXcetera. Phew...I'm Xhausted.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-22-2010, 12:36 AM:
 
..could go back to the "rama" thing that Cinerama created..

But, oh please gag me to death: the term "3D" now showing up in some consumer products.. like that
"Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothpaste.."???
 

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Posted by Tom Petrov (Member # 1534) on 12-22-2010, 01:39 AM:
 

quote: Frank Angel

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what's the facination with the letter X anyway?

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quote: Brad Miller

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Frank, because it's Xciting!

Monte, I could do without 3Drama.

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quote: Kenneth Wuepper

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because it is the last word

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quote:

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I think the 3 letter thing is more because the major chains love acronyms:

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Great, that makes me Ton....

Or if I use my motocross nickname (Slick) I'd be Sli....
 

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Posted by Connor Wilson (Member # 6088) on 02-22-2011, 08:18 AM:
 
Yeah, it has the feel of the THX Cavalcade trailer, but I don't see it as a rip-off. Crescendos ending with a sustained note have existed before the "Deep Note" was processed.

But, I feel the RPX trailer was just cheesy, all of it. "The best picture you've ever heard?" C'mon! And that voiceover, it ruins the experience reading the logo on the screen!
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 02-22-2011, 10:26 AM:
 

quote: Brad Miller

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Got something against bras there, John?

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