Hey guys, I am wondering if there are any laws, patents…etc that can prevent us from reproducing a part we have made a mold out of? For example, the rocket bunny kit is a very well known body kit. but if I were to reproduce and sell a carbon fiber wide fender flare that they make, would there be issues with that? or would there have to be subtle changes done to it? any info would be greatly appreciated! thanks!
A lot is country dependent, so I can only ask in general terms.
If a design it registered and/or patented in you country you could be prosecuted if you try and sell one.
If it is not, then you are okay.
If you are not selling it you are likely to be ok.
If the owner of the IP can’t or won’t prosecute then you’ll be fine. It is the responsibility of the IP holder to look for and prosecute, which can cost a lot of money and often they will just asked for a license fee rather then go to court.
You’ll need to search locally for any IP protection.
in the usa it’s call a design patent
in canada i have no idea what it is called.
just ask the original maker if they have any patents on the part, if they say no then go for it…
Or just respect original design owner and don’t copy his hard work, be creative and make your own designed parts.
Or use his original work, but customize with your own flair to make it unique. If you get brought to court, fines could seriously hurt.
How would you feel if someone copied your work directly and sold it on ?
Welcome to the real life .
i would feel flattered and then kick my butt for not getting it patented ahead of time. I’ve had two different companies write me threateneing emails saying I can’t sell my product becuase they have a design patent on it.
I wrote both of them back saying that our products are different and asked them to specifically detail what items of their patent I was in violation of???
both just said they would have their lawyer contact me. LOL, never heard anything from either.
one is a triangle shaped photo booth
second is a round photo booth.
my design is different and therefore they do not have a case
while you can patent a round or triangle shape , the competitor I believe has to exactly copy that shape! My shape is different thus they have no case.
I’m not a IP laywer, so take this real world experience with a grain of salt.
Knocking off a mold of somebody else’s part is a theft of a design , it doesn’t need to be patented, patent just makes it easier in the court
Its a newbee thing, real professionals don’t do it , they know well what its like when somebody does it to them,
I know, they have done i to me
I appreciate all the help. im just curious now because sychrovsky says its straight theft…so where does the line get drawn? for arguments sake… what if I take a fender, a regular fender off anything, and I modify it. is that considered theft? I mean why would anyone start from scratch if they can take from something that is done and change it or make it better to fit their needs? a decent amount of the parts I see on this site that people have made are copied off original parts.
thats why i say dont look for loop holes in the law … how would YOU feel if someone DIRECTLY took a mold of your part and started producing them ?
im not talking about taking a standard car fender and then start doing your own design onto the fender / bonnet /door / whatever … im talking about taking a already modded piece , that an independent company has produced and copying that
yup , its the real world and thats what we gotta contend with for now huh …
car companies couldnt care less if you mod their stuff, its not like you going to start competing with them is it ? however smaller companies that do car accessories … different story
There is a difference between what a lot of the guys on here do when they make a replica part for themselves and what you’re suggesting in selling parts. Kinda like ripping or copying a CD so you can listen in your car and copying it 100 time to sell.
What about making a Carbon door?
What does that come under? I myself moulded and sell a replicated part and i dont have issues but in saying that the part has been discontinued and it is a rare item that i have only seen 5 for sale and 2 being the same item in 10 years, I also have started replicating other discontinued products due to the request (discontinued for over 2 years) and spent 2 years finding the items to then make the moulds.
In saying that though i would not copy something another company is making/selling at the time i would mod and make it my own make changes put my own style on it. (other then doors boot and so on)