I've lived in Japan working for Japan-based employers since 1994 and have cooperated with manufacturers in China and Taiwan for decades. During the years that we have continuously been buying from various factories, the designs created between my employer and the factory (not too dissimilar from the joint effort between Dave and UEi) were never a focus on IP. It was about our ability to keep buying the product and selling in our chosen markets. And while it could be different for Dave, I don't see why it should be, nor do I see any evidence that the 121GW is largely a UEi device. How can it be when the most glaring "IP" of all is Dave's face!
Need proof? Open the manual here:
https://www.eevblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/121GW-Manual-5.pdfWhose face is that in the upper left with his hand stuck out? That's not only Dave but "iconic" Dave -- basically his digitally insignia. When anyone sees that, it's like seeing an Apple with a bite out of it or the 4-letters that spell the word SONY. You immediately know the association with the logo and the entity behind it. That alone shows how much of a "Dave Jones" product the 121GW is, especially when you ponder the fact that the word "UEi" is nowhere to be found on the front cover of the manual. If there was a legal landmine ready to explode, you'd think UEi would have insisted on their name appearing on the front cover of the manual. But they didn't. It's not there.
I keyword-searched the 121GW manual, but there isn't a single instance of UEI or Kane that I can see. Nope, not even a single line legal disclaimer that associates the 121GW with them!
Yes, yes... On the 121GW product page, I see this text...
The meter is manufactured by UEI Test Instruments, a reputable US based designer and manufacturer of high quality test gear. The design work was primarily done by UEI, but with a great deal of design input and direction from Dave. The meter is manufactured in South Korea.But that "input and direction" is rather clear. Just pop your meter out off the blue rubber bumper and whose face appears on the inside of the bumper? The president of the company who "primarily designed" and who currently "manufactures" the 121GW? No, we see Dave.
This seems a lot like the situation I myself have seen over the years, with a company in Japan working closely with a manufacturer here in Asia (usually Taiwan or China to keep costs lower), with a large part of the design being the factory, and with that same factory building the resulting product, always with significant "design input and direction" from the company in Japan. And when there's an ongoing business relationship of the entity continuously buying the said item, the cooperation continues such that firmware updates happen upon request, and that is often free of charge in light of the ongoing business.
How is that possible? Reality. Nothing remains static forever. To keep business alive you must do something, and most factories are realists about that. They know you have to spend money to make money, so making rather insignificant firmware changes to keep customers excited and happy is worth it in the end.
Yes, yes... None of us know what the deal is with Dave and UEi, but like I said, I doubt it's a legal landmine. If he asks, he probably shall receive. That encourages more geeks and engineers to buy the meter, just as I did for the first time in January this year. It's good for everyone in the end, and not a single lawyer need be involved.
If anyone here is not convinced, perhaps Dave himself can reassure us. Open the 121GW manual and keyword search for "hack" so you can read this...
And remember, don't turn it on, take it apart! This meter is hackable, go for it.
Have fun.
Dave Jones www.eevblog.comThat kind of wording doesn't indicate a lawyer read to pounce. It is saying: "make changes for the joy and productivity of it!"

And while that doesn't necessarily mean Dave will always keep firmware updates alive, I see no evidence to indicate why it would be impossible, time consuming or costly to have Dave prod UEi to implement the ideas of this thread in a new firmware update. The change really is that small, guys -- and yet, oh so wonderful. Hacking around with electronics is what this meter is all about, and to some extent, Dave's Youtube channel too.