The miniMAD development is basically paid by selling miniMADs, so if people start copying or hacking it we won't be able to keep working on it, it's that simple.
The US distributor should have his stock refilled in a few days, but you can order miniMADs directly from GarageCube's website.
Noted. However, I think people are gonna hack regardless, it's part of a lot of peoples learning process (garagecube included?). I paid 100$ to upgrade the software to be able to use the new features, I'd pay more if it had new features like it does which is why i paid. I would also pay for a 1024 pcb knowing that I could use my 3d printer for a case and learn about raspberrys in the process (also to crispen my soldering skills). Maybe you could even develop various breakout boards for the raspberry with like slider potentiometers and arcade buttons and sell those. IDK, lots of ways to compartmentalize like the micromodul and the led bars (future ios app??!). Like a gentleman on the forum mentioned, some people already have loads of raspberrys. All this to say, I also don't mind the mark up to support artist such as yourselves, which is why I upgraded, checked with a us distributor and will continue to do so.