Ethical Dilema / Question

[TRX-1-3]

Howdy,

Got a question for you all (y'all) bro-dinski's. If a guy had possibly the last uncut buggy body of a certain style from a certain manufacturer, what are the ethical concerns of sending it off to, say, TBG for reproduction. Sure, a guy would be able to buy more of them and they would be available to more people, but isn't it esentially screwing the original manufacturer?

Mark

[GoMachV]

Yes....and no. If the manufacturer is willing to make more (parma for example will rerun batches sometimes if your willing to make it worth their time). Other companies are out of business. Some companies like Dahms will pursue anyone even thinking of copying, even tho they don't ever plan to make more themselves. Ethically and legally yes it is wrong. That said, I've sent quite a few to TBG. Keep in mind that the ReRe body will not be perfect! It's close, but may have some warp to it, will be a bit smaller etc. some bodies like the Traxxas bullet are very thin in areas, and the TBG fix that problem. Others like the associated sprinter body are thin in areas that weren't a problem before. Don't expect it to be the exact same as what you send

[Halgar]

Legally, it's wrong, as you do not hold the intellectual or patent rights to the item. Ethically, IMHO, depends on whether you are doing it for personal or profit. A few for personal use, who cares (except maybe the OEM). Doing it for profit would be wrong.

[TRX-1-3]

Hey,

Thanks guys. As much as I want to, not gonna do it. Just respect the original dudes too much. Again, thanks.

Mark

[justinspeed79]

I was originally against the reproduction body business, but I have been reconsidering that point of view lately. Mainly since it seems that nobody really cares that someone is making reproductions of their bodies. Unless I have just missed where that has happened? I had not heard that Dahms was against it. Are there any other companies speaking out about it? I have seen at least a few posts stating that tbg looked into the legal aspects and that their lawyers found it to be completely legal. Granted, that is hearsay, but nobody seems to be disputing it, and tbg is still making them.

[GoMachV]

From what I hear Ira Dahm is the only one that has threatened. Still, companies like McAllister that are still in business and Parma that are willing to pop more SHOULD go after them IMO! I'm all for those that are out of business. I think location plays a part of how they get away with it

[justinspeed79]

Oh right, they're from Canada, eh? That adds a twist I guess.... I don't think they should be doing it if the original manufacturer is against it, especially if you are talking about stuff the original manufacturer is still making.

[Charlie don't surf]

Their mirage so is no longer a re re re pop. ..but a new proline mirage ss copy. How is PL not going after him for selling a body that they own the mold to for $10 less?

[Phin]

From what I hear Ira Dahm is the only one that has threatened. Still, companies like McAllister that are still in business and Parma that are willing to pop more SHOULD go after them IMO! I'm all for those that are out of business. I think location plays a part of how they get away with it

It wasn't Ira Dahm that threatened, it was the owner of Van's Invent who purchased the Dahm's body molds/business.


Also can add RJ Speed and Wind Tunnel to the companies that could potentially go after TBG since they're still in the business of making Bolink bodies.

[Brandon G]

Legally speaking, if it does not have a copyright it Is copyable. Even if there is a copyright, you could make something similar that has at least 10% difference of that of the original and be ok.

The rc companies were not going to spend the money to copyright each individual body they made. Copyright the name brand. As long as you don't try and sell a re popped body under name of the original manufacturer (like printing off your own Team Associated header cards and stapling them to a bag) then you're ok.

After all, wouldn't it be kind of bs for an RC company to cry foul if somebody was re popping a body of theirs that was originally designed as a copy of a full size car?

As far as I'm concerned, if the dude is copying bodies that are no longer in production, there is no copyright, and he is using his own name to distinguish between his and the original, then go for it.

Re popping bodies that are still in production, well, all I can say is good luck competing with the OE manufacturer on that. Why pay $20 plus $12 to ship for a body I can get at the Hobby Shop for $15?

[Brandon G]

Howdy,

Got a question for you all (y'all) bro-dinski's. If a guy had possibly the last uncut buggy body of a certain style from a certain manufacturer, what are the ethical concerns of sending it off to, say, TBG for reproduction. Sure, a guy would be able to buy more of them and they would be available to more people, but isn't it esentially screwing the original manufacturer?

Mark

So which body do you have? Just curious.

[limestang]

I think Brandon G got it right There is no fraud or legal issue unless the company has a trademark, are still in business and somehow you make an exact copy. Personally I'm grateful companies like TBG and Mr Lexan are making reproduction bodies. Prices on the original's (if you can find them) are really high and the plastic degrades over time. Perhaps a compromise would be a small royalty fee paid to the OEM if they are still in business.

The vintage hobby needs these parts, so if the OEM won't make up, I'm glad someone is. The Classic Car business has a similar situation, and without the reproduction parts, most wouldn't be on the road.

- Limestang

Legally speaking, if it does not have a copyright it Is copyable. Even if there is a copyright, you could make something similar that has at least 10% difference of that of the original and be ok.

The rc companies were not going to spend the money to copyright each individual body they made. Copyright the name brand. As long as you don't try and sell a re popped body under the of the original manufacturer (like printing off your own Team Associated header cards and stapling them to a bag) then you're ok.

After all, wouldn't it be kind of bullcrap for an RC company to cry foul if somebody was re popping a body of theirs that was originally designed as a copy of a full size car?

As far as I'm concerned, if the dude is copying bodies that are no longer in production, there is no copyright, and he is using his own name to distinguish between his and the original, then go for it.

Re popping bodies that are still in production, well, all I can say is good luck competing with the OE manufacturer on that. Why pay $20 plus $12 to ship for a body I can get at the Hobby Shop for $15?

[8rad]

You're not infringing on anything if the original owner/manufacturer is not making them or has no intention to.

No ethical dilemma here.

Vans Invent is the perfect example. He may own the brand and the molds but he has zero intention of making more bodies so repopping a Dahms body is not taking money from his pocket.

In fact, it could be argued that you are doing the community a favor by providing a repro body that will never be produced again.

I say do it!

[scr8p]

Personally I'm grateful companies like TBG and Mr Lexan are making reproduction bodies.

I'm sure TBG was grateful mrlexan made bodies too....

[GoMachV]

Personally I'm grateful companies like TBG and Mr Lexan are making reproduction bodies.

I'm sure TBG was grateful mrlexan made bodies too....

oh....you went there