S.e.

I'm creating a propullsion and hull design for a high speed low wake passenger boat.
My first concern, however, is putting a potential worthwhile idea out there without protection.
Can anybody give me some input on that?

 

Hi Brian and welcome to the forum!

I'm no expert for sure, but If I read you correctly, the obvious route would be to patent the idea if it is unique. Failing that, draw and describe your idea on paper and then post it to yourself - registered. That way you can at least prove the concept was your idea at a certain date.

Good luck with the concept!

Best

 

It's strange that designers and architect are afraid about the possibility to be copied...

I think it depend from the age...

I have designed several high speed boats with a lot of innovations concerning hull shape, arrangements for exhaust, fore cockpit for the gun, etc.

Now, at my age, I would say..
"If a cleaver man is copying me....I'm proud...but if a stupid man is copying me....I'm furious!!!"

 

Patent and copyright protection is only effective if you can afford to defend them. Every fancy idea ever to come down the pike has been and will be hijacked. You can bet on this element of human nature. Defense of a infringement is costly and the average litigation (in the USA) takes about 7 years, unless it's over a whole bunch of money, then it can run into decades. This is the major crux, of these types of rights protection devices and one not generally understood by those seeking them.

It costs about a $1,000 bucks to get the "patent pending" paper work (not counting attorney fees) and permit you to place this on a unique device. These words alone are usually enough to keep all but the most determined. The determined folks will not be stopped. No law, fine, fee or threat of litigation will dissuade these people. Several countries around the world actually boost their GNP considerably from hijacking protected products.

The bottom line, don't publicly post any drawings or descriptions of your device, patented or other wise protected. This is the only real protection you have. Unfortunately, it also limits you ability to an assessment.

A confidentiality act (a non-disclosure agreement) can be arranged (I signed one last week) so that knowledgeable people can look over your idea(s) and you have some avenues of pursuit legally, if necessary.

Back to yacht design concept theft. Lets face it, every single idea in yacht design has been incorporated into other designer's efforts. I blatantly steal ideas, hull shapes, chine arrangements, foil dimensions, you name it all the time. I study lines, work out the concepts and back engineer past and current designs. Some of what I've learned has been employed in my design work, much could be considered research, possibly for incorporation into future efforts.

Of course, being an engineer I can't leave well enough alone and I have to play with things, change, literally for change's sake. Does this mean the new concept I saw on someone else's work, which was modified, reworked and hopefully improved is still subject to a royalty payment? I just wish I was the guy, that had the copyright on the pointy end towards the front of the boat concept. Man, I'd have made a killing taking settlements on that one.

In the end, if you can afford to vigorously defend your protection rights, then get them. If you can't, maybe hiring a few heavy set, no-neck, one eye brow types may be a better solution.

 

If your that worried about it being copied don't make it, because once it's made and proved to work somebody somewhere WILL copy it! a few will acknowledge where it came from, a few will alter it slightly to avoid being sued for copywrite but most won't give a damn, copy it anyway and you won't know about it because it will be in another country, and if you do find out you can't do damn all (heavy set, no-necked gentlemen cost a lot of money especially when they are a foreign!)

 

Good reply there, Mike... tried to score you a few points, but Jeff says "spread some points around before you can give more points to Safewalrus"

Neary mind - thought counts hey mate?

OK guys, who needs some points?

 

Do your design work, publish it here & get howled down & praised.

Who cares, anyone outside USA (almost everyone) will use it if appropriate to their needs.

The design will then become more refined & suited to your needs then use that!

It is the spirit of scientific exploration sadly killed by USA litigation in search of instant profit to lawyers.