The VCV Library prohibits cloning another product's brand, panel, or component layout without permission

VCV’s Plugin Ethics Guidelines prohibit cloning the brand name, model name, logo, panel design, or component layout (knobs, ports, switches) of any existing hardware or software product without the owner’s permission — regardless of whether trademark or copyright law would allow it. Following the guidelines is optional in general, but it is a hard requirement for listing on the VCV Library and for obtaining a commercial plugin license, so it applies even to an otherwise-legal clone. The rationale is community goodwill toward the hardware makers whose circuits modular plugin developers often reimplement.

Examples

Releasing a ‘Moog Ladder Filter’ plugin using the Moog logo and a copied 904A panel layout would violate the ethics guidelines and bar it from the Library, even though the filter circuit’s math is uncopyrightable.

Assessment

A developer builds a faithful digital replica of a classic hardware VCF and wants to name it and style its panel after the original. What does the VCV ethics guideline require before it can be listed on the Library?