Talk:Beale Piano

The history of Beale pianos.

I am the author of this article, which been made the suject of a complaint of infringement of copyright.

The allegations relate to matters which I consider are the recording of historical facts in a narrative form which can be obtained and verified fromn several sources.

I consider that the complainant has acted capriciously, and without regard to copyright law.

Fitzpatrickjm 07:44, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

Further to my earlier note, please find reproduced below the two paragrphs:

1. Here is the paragraph I wrote:

<Allegedly infringing material removed -- please refer to [1] >

2. Here is the paragraph which I have allegedly copied and infringed copyright:

<Copyrighted material removed -- please refer to [2] >

As you will see, the paragraphs are quite different, with different facts set out in each of the paragraphs.

The second paragraph does not set out the following facts:

• Date of commencement of the factory
• The Beale factory was the first in Australia
• Production ceased in 1975

Both articles refer to certain historical facts, which are verifiable from other sources. Reference to these facts does not in my opinion constitute an infringement of copyright.

Fitzpatrickjm 08:22, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

Please note that with a view to resolving this matter, I submit the following expanded material, which I propose as the "history" section of the Beale Piano article.

Fitzpatrickjm 10:56, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

History

Octavius Beale established a business to import pianos and sewing machines in Sydney in 1884. He imported German upright pianos, of which a few survive today- these are known as “Hapsburg Beale”.

Prior to establishing this business, Beale had been involved with Hugo Wertheim in a piano and sewing machine importing business in Melbourne.

In 1893, Beale established Australia’s first piano factory in Sydney. In 1902, Beale opened a new factory at Annandale which went on to become the largest piano factory in the southern hemisphere in the early 1900s.

Beale was an innovator- introducing the all-iron tuning system, for which a patent was granted in 1902. Also, Beale focussed on making pianos with local timbers and sought to make pianos which were suited to the changeable Australian climate.

The Beale factory was self contained and made every element of the pianos, resulting in a broad range of trades working to produce instruments.

Activities conducted in the factory included:

• Brass and iron foundries
• Timber works, including drying kilns, manufacture of veneers, joinery and cabinetry
• Paint and pattern shops
• Machining and electroplating
• Keyboard action-making and fitting
• Tuning and intoning
• Polishing rooms
• Experimental laboratories

The business continued to operate after Octavius Beale’s death in a car accident in 1930.

During World War II, production of pianos was suspended to make way for the manufacture of wooden parts for de Havilland Mosquito aircraft.

The business was sold to W. H. Paling & Co. in 1961.

Social change and the availability of cheap imports led to the decline in demand for Beale pianos. In particular, the availability of recorded music and later the introduction of radio and television, heralded significant change in the pattern of social life in Australia, and resulted in a decline in piano playing.

Production of pianos in Australia ceased in 1975. It is estimated that Beale produced 95,000 pianos in Australia.

As a further comment, I have been in communication with Ron Overs of Overs Pianos, whose copyright material I am alleged to have infringed. Mr Overs has confirmed that he does not consider that I have infringed any copyright. In addition, he has reviewed the article, and made some helpful comments which I intend incorporating when that is permissible.

Fitzpatrickjm 23:49, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I have prepared a new article which appears as a temporary article. This article is an expanded version of the previous article.

Also, I have consulted with Mr Ron Overs, who made some helpful suggestions regarding the content of the article.

I trust the allegation of infringement will now be withdrawn.

Fitzpatrickjm 15:12, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

I have transferred the temporary article as there has been no action to resolve the dispute regarding copyright.

I consider the allegation of infringement of copyright to be groundless.

Fitzpatrickjm 01:51, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

Hi, the page is still listed at Wikipedia:Copyright problems/2007 June 24/Articles. You can of course comment there, but please leave the tag in place until an admin has an opportunity to review the matter. Thank you. -- But|seriously|folks  02:08, 7 July 2007 (UTC)