Cut into the Number of Famiclones Ever Produced - Case #11: Good Boy

The eleventh article in the series focuses on Maxsonic Industrial and Comtronics International, two companies behind the Good Boy series of famiclones. Although they were relative latecomers, their products spread worldwide, and in some markets outperformed those of major manufacturers.

The Good Boy is one of those models that you often come across when searching for early famiclones. While its shipment volume certainly couldn't compete with major players such as Micro Genius, Aaronix and Bit Corp., its wide distribution range was comparable to that of these giants, establishing an undeniable presence. The Good Boy was sold in various countries and regions, but it was particularly popular in South Korea.

Maxsonic Industrial Corp.: The original manufacturer

Little is known about the manufacturer behind Good Boy, its background or how it was established. However, my research revealed that the design of the earliest model, the GB-300SE, was patented by a company named Maxsonic Industrial Corp. (正惠實業有限公司) on 10 March 1989, suggesting that it was released around that time.

A photo from the registered design patent of the GB-300SE. While the final product is black, the initial design appears to have matched the colour scheme of the original Famicom. The design concept was probably a 'streamlined Famicom'. [Image source: Ministry of Economic Affairs Intellectual Property Office Global Patent Search System (Registration No. 132812)]

The company was originally an electronic device manufacturer, founded in 1980. It primarily sold cassette tape players and radios under brands such as 'Maxsonic' (unrelated to the same brand by Nippon Onkyo Denki). It is unclear how they came to develop famiclones. However, for example, Tajen Electronic, the distributor of the early Micro Genius, is an example of a company that was originally an audio manufacturer. Similarly, Songtly's development lead of famiclones also came from an audio technology background. For companies in that field, manufacturing famiclones may have been one of the easier ventures to undertake.

The right transferred to Comtronics International

The commercialized GB-300SE. This packaging was primarily used for European or Asian distribution.

However, after just over a year, Maxsonic Industrial relinquished the design rights to the GB-300SE, transferring them to a company called Comtronics International Co., Ltd. (光特電子股份有限公司) in December 1990.

The exact nature of the relationship between Maxsonic Industrial and Comtronics International remains unclear. However, Comtronics International was established on 20 February 1989 — just weeks before the GB-300SE design patent was filed — with the exclusive purpose of manufacturing and selling video games.

Is the timing of the GB-300SE design patent application and the establishment of the company responsible for its manufacture merely a coincidence? It is more probable that the two companies had a capital relationship from the outset.

The gradual consolidation of rights

In August 1990, several months before the design rights for the GB-300SE were transferred, Hsieh Chiwen (謝紀文), the founder of Comtronics International also filed the 'Good Boy' trademark. This suggests a gradual transfer of rights: first the trademark, then the design. Based on this fact, I have reconstructed the timeline as follows:

• When launching its famiclones, Maxsonic Industrial established Comtronics International as an affiliated company to handle video game manufacturing.

• Initially, Maxsonic Industrial managed Comtronics International's operations. However, as video game production steadily increased, it became aware of the necessity of trademark registration. Comtronics International was then entrusted with this task.

• Having designs and trademarks managed by separate companies could cause complications, particularly with regard to license management. Consequently, the design rights were transferred to Comtronics International, thereby consolidating all intellectual property rights related to Good Boy under Comtronics International.

Viewed this way, everything makes sense.

New direction for the Good Boy series

Immediately after Comtronics International acquired the rights, the sales strategy for the Good Boy series began to diversify. While the company registered new trademarks such as 'GB Turtle' and 'Super Boy', it also started developing new models.

GB-MX0001: The sequel to the GB-300SE. While its shape and functionality haven't evolved significantly from the GB-300SE, the design, which allows the internal structure to be seen through the front panel, is striking. Some models include a wireless controller.

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