@Landsteiner posted:Quite inspiring to see the technical knowledge and creativity of some folks in the hobby. One reason I'm not terribly worried about having to have someone repair or replace electronics in my trains should that become necessary. As a footnote, Lionel has not been particularly litigious over the decades about their electronics. They allowed at least three companies to develop upgrade equipment for installing TMCC and sounds in locomotives not so equipped. Some are old enough to remember the Train Brain from Ed Bender, engineer on board from Train America Studios (Bob Krivacic and Mike Reagan) and, of course ERR from Jon Zahornacky. No lawsuits to my knowledge, so while that's ancient history, it's hard to imagine Lionel preventing Scott Mann from developing similar devices, if need be.
No lawsuits because they had to use Lionel R2LCs and Lionel Audio Boards. I suspect licenses were required as well, though Lou and others can confirm.
The 64 dollar question in my mind is since Lionel has declared that technology as obsolete, therefore declaring the trains that use it as obsolete will they allow anyone else to offer replacements without the need for licensing?
Pete
