Last updated: February 2026
EP-PatchStudio is developed independently by SquareWave Studio to provide enhanced functionality for Teenage Engineering EP series hardware devices. This page explains the legal basis for the software and how it complies with EU copyright law.
EP-PatchStudio is developed independently by SquareWave Studio (Photon Consulting Limited) to provide enhanced functionality for Teenage Engineering EP series hardware devices, including the EP-40 Riddim, EP-133 K.O. II and EP-1320 Medieval.
The software achieves interoperability through protocol analysis and reverse engineering, conducted in accordance with applicable law.
This software is created through lawful reverse engineering for interoperability purposes, as explicitly permitted under European Union copyright law:
The Software Directive provides an unwaivable right to reverse engineer and analyse software for the purpose of creating interoperable products. This right applies across all EU member states.
The Trade Secrets Directive confirms that reverse engineering of lawfully acquired products is lawful for interoperability purposes.
This landmark 2012 CJEU ruling established that functionality, programming languages and file formats are not protected by copyright. Commercial interoperability tools are explicitly lawful under EU law.
These EU directives provide statutory protection that cannot be waived by licence agreements or contractual provisions (Article 6(3) of Directive 2009/24/EC).
I discovered the MIDI SysEx communication protocol used by EP devices through lawful observation of device behaviour, not by decompiling or copying proprietary software. Protocol discovery involved:
The TNGE multisample format is based on standard RIFF/WAV containers with JSON metadata. I analysed this format from:
I wrote all EP-PatchStudio code from scratch:
My development process keeps protocol observation and code implementation strictly separate. I keep detailed records of the entire clean-room process.
Important Disclaimer:
EP-PatchStudio is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by Teenage Engineering AB.
“EP-40 Riddim”, “EP-133 K.O. II” and “EP-1320 Medieval” are product names of Teenage Engineering AB. Use of these names and the Teenage Engineering company name in this software and documentation is solely for descriptive purposes to indicate device compatibility and does not imply endorsement or affiliation.
“SquareWave Studio” is a trading name of Photon Consulting Limited. “EP-PatchStudio” is a product name of Photon Consulting Limited.
Note: These restrictions apply to EP-PatchStudio's own code and are standard software licence terms. They're separate from the interoperability rights discussed above, which apply to creating compatibility with third-party hardware.
I operate within all applicable laws and regulations:
SquareWave Studio (Photon Consulting Limited) is based in Ireland, an EU member state. Teenage Engineering AB is based in Sweden, also an EU member state. Both jurisdictions have implemented EU Directive 2009/24/EC with identical interoperability protections.
This software is developed in accordance with:
For users outside the EU, interoperability protections vary by jurisdiction. In the US, similar protections exist under fair use doctrine and DMCA interoperability provisions. Regardless of where you're based, using third-party software with hardware you own is standard practice.
Yes. You're using third-party software with hardware you own — no different from using a DAW, sample editor, or file manager with your music gear. That's perfectly normal regardless of where you're based.
On the development side, EP-PatchStudio is built in Ireland under EU copyright law, which explicitly permits reverse engineering for interoperability (Directive 2009/24/EC Article 6). The US has similar protections under fair use and DMCA interoperability provisions. Thousands of software products work with third-party hardware on the same legal basis.
I've communicated transparently with Teenage Engineering about this project and have not received any objections to date. TE's focus is on hardware and they've historically been supportive of the creative community. Any issues or support questions should come to me, not to Teenage Engineering.
EP-PatchStudio communicates with devices using the standard MIDI SysEx protocol. Unless TE fundamentally changes their protocol (unlikely), firmware updates shouldn't affect compatibility. If changes do occur, I'll update EP-PatchStudio to maintain compatibility.
I want to be a good neighbour in the music tech community, and I'm happy to talk if TE has concerns. That said, EU law does protect the right to create interoperability software (confirmed by CJEU in SAS v. WPL, 2012), so the legal basis is solid.
No. Your licence is with SquareWave Studio, not Teenage Engineering. You're not violating any terms by using software that communicates with hardware you own. This is the same as using any third-party software (like a DAW, sample editor, or file manager) with your music hardware.
If you have questions about the legal basis of this software, concerns about intellectual property, or general inquiries:
Get in Touch:
Email: joe@squarewave.studio
I'm happy to be transparent about how EP-PatchStudio is built and to address any concerns about its legal standing.
For additional legal information, please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Licence Agreement, and Refund Policy.