actually wayne wrote the following passage which you quote;

:::"That part you already have down pat. Build brand recognition by using your iron in excellent amps and take 'em to shows. I think that would be excellent. People sure have responded favorably to your amp designs, and I think having your own transformers wound sets you apart and ahead. Sure could be coooool.":::

Doug has some talent in circuit design... done right doug could probably do well for himself...

Pirating transformer designs say from the likes of a Lundahl, an Electra Print, or a Peerless simply because they do not have a patent--- is not, I suspect, the way to establish yourself as an expert in your field of endeavor. And it carries huge bagloads of bad karma. Some folks might even call it theft.

Learning from designs clearly in public domain is quite possible and free of any and all ethical entanglements. And darn if there are not good ones (public domain designs) out there as you too suggest. And tons of books and articles to learn the basics through if you need help understanding the public domain examples.

And people do start out and build up a business from their own hard work, sweat, learning, experimenting and etc. Dave Slagle is a good example. No formal background (that I know of) in transformers or electronics... he now makes a TVC that people speak well of. And... I'd bet money... he did not pirate a Sowter or an S&B trans or copy another companies' product so that he would have something to sell.

MSL