Intelectual Property

[k72516]

In reference to:
Foam Block To Bass Boat... can this be done?

Well after reading that thread (I had a somewhat similar idea of getting a huge block of foam and one-offing a design out of it, then glassing it or something) I've pretty much decided that it would be easier to find an old fiberglass boat and go from there. I want to do a small jet drive system with it, ya know that kind of stuff. I do have one question though out of curiosity.

If I was going to do that foam core process I wanted to make it look like an old Chris-Craft barrelback runabout, except about 12' long . Is this stealing intelectual property? I wouldn't have taken an actual hull and copied it. I suppose replicate or modify is the term I'm looking for.

[k72516]

I just wanted to add that I'm leaning towards this now instead of building from scratch, just so no one thinks I am ripping off hulls or something.

http://www.glen-l.com/designs/outboard/squirt.html

[Tall Timber]

Copy an old boat design by eye and reproduce a differnet boat constructed differently mimiciny lines? No biggy in my book, more like flattery. Look at the kit cars that are based on bugs and pinto chassis. Buying the Glen L plan set would save a huge amount of work on your part and it would probably float, upright even, when you are done. That little sucker is cute!

[Jeff Walkowiak]

if its an old design its in public domain and the patent if there was one would have expired so I would not be too concerned. today patents are good for 20 years and a few years ago it was even less time, after they expire any one can do it.