Reproducing other replicas

[76L82]

I have read a fair amount of threads regarding copying other manufacturers original work and totally understand the ethical and legal issues.

I was curious as to what folks thought about copying 'other peoples copys' of an original model that has been in public circulation for over 40 years. I am assuming that the few sources that have been knocking this particular model off for the past couple of decades do not have any type of licensing arrangement with the orginal manufacturer and the original particular model was stopped being produced back in the early 70's, although the manufacturer is still in business.

[Bergalia]

A tricky one - but not one to pass by. The very term 'replica' indicates that it is not an original, therefore in some way differs from that of which it is a 'copy' if only in that it has been manufactured/produced by someone other than the original artist/craftsman.
In common law it can be reasonably argued that you are not 'counterfeiting,' merely copying a copy...Trust me, lawyers love this kind of ****.
Again it depends upon what kind of replica you intend to copy. A painting, or any material art form can be 'excused' by representing it as "After the original by...." or more artistically "In homage to...." (That one always goes down a wow...)
To reproduce a replica of say, a piece of sailing/boating gear shouldn't be too much of a sin - if crediting the original creator/designer: "After the style of..."
Intellectual property is a trickier subject (copying copies of CDs etc) this is illegal - and no excuses. Stealing/copying ideas is considered, rightly, as more heinous than 'stealing' a physical idea.
However if you can, and wish to produce a working 'replica' make sure you either improve on the design or give credit to the original work (not the replica) as suggested above.

[76L82]

Bergalia, I appreciate your comments. I have much more experience in the auto world where I have watched the infamous Shelby Cobra be copied for decades and the 'developer' of the vehicle, Carrol Shelby, unable to successfully defend the design from copyright infringement. However, Ferrari has been much more successful in defending its 'physicalness' from replication.

Thanks again!

[Bergalia]

There's the problem 76L82, automobiles.
I'm ancient enough to have grown up in a world (UK) where kids collected car number plate and could tell, even at a distance what make and model the vehicle was:Bentley, R-R; Jaguar. Morris. Austin. MG; Humber etc etc...
Apart from most of the 'old' makes disappearing those that remain now share a 'standard' body and frequently a standard engine (only the name plate changed to protect the maker....). Even back in the late fifties(emergence of that dreadful model - the MGA) the MG Magnette saloon was simply a Wolsley, or a Riley, sharing the same body and Morris engine. Earning holiday money it was my job to stick the appropriate ‘name’ plate on the engine block. Sure, the MG had a tweaked carburettor - but that and the radiator badges were the only changes.
Which is a long preamble to say who can really own a ‘shape.’
Obviously you can be first off the line with an aerodynamic body - but if it works - you can bet your suede-backed gloves that within months someone will ‘modify’ it. Just watch your formula racing cars...apart from the colours - which is which?
All I can suggest is that my earlier advice holds. Copy by all means if it’s a good idea - but try and improve, and openly admit it “is after the style of...” or more artistically ‘homage to...’