Molds

[Boo]

What's the best way to find out if a mold has a patent ?

I think that you can make a 10% change and be ok.

I'm pretty sure that the design has already been changed by another company that is using the mold for another type of boat .

Surely don't want to infringe on anything . Just looking for the proper way to find out if it can be done .

[Fanie]

Patent or copyright ?

If you make it for yourself nobody can stop you even if it is a precise replica.

If it is for production then it is a different story. Technically I'm sure one could get around it with a couple of subtle changes... in my opinion it still is copying it. Design and make your own - if you go to a bit of trouble you could enhance some features, then look out for the competition to copy your ideas ;)

[TeddyDiver]

I think that you can make a 10% change and be ok.

If the mold is made (a copy) on a specific boat with it's faults (and making some more) it's not ok wheather futher modifications are made to it or not.
Taking measurements from one and replanning a boat is ok (kind of reverse engineering). There comes diff due fairing etc..

[Fanie]

I will go with Teddy on that one