Thread: Help wanted but not sure where to ask exactly!

Bob, just had a look on their site. For a cold hard 3 grand i can get the complete series on DVD and all the scaled plans to the 210 different projects. And by the looks of things they are re running the eps on the webpage! Happy days!

Cheers
Brad

Originally Posted by Bradsboxes

Bob, just had a look on their site. For a cold hard 3 grand i can get the complete series on DVD and all the scaled plans to the 210 different projects. And by the looks of things they are re running the eps on the webpage! Happy days!

Cheers
Brad

I probably should have looked before I posted. But if they are actively selling thier plans and expecting top dollar for them, that may be a clue that they would not appreciate someone using thier plans commercially without prior payment/ approval.
Good luck with the new venture - I hope it pays off for you.
Bob

Originally Posted by Bradsboxes

Bob, just had a look on their site. For a cold hard 3 grand i can get the complete series on DVD and all the scaled plans to the 210 different projects. And by the looks of things they are re running the eps on the webpage! Happy days!

Cheers
Brad

'Intellectual Property' doesn't always come cheap ..MM

If you really need someone elses plans to work out how to make boxes you might be pushing the proverbial up a rather steep incline turning this into a money making thing.

Originally Posted by bassmansimon

I'm no legal expert but I would imagine that with timbercrafts and small turned items, they a not complex enough to have any design patents on them. All turning of small things has been done before, and people do their own take on other existing designs. My (amateur and untrained) opinion is to go for it but acknowledge and respect the sources of your inspirations.
Simon.

Some do and some have had registered designs on them for a very long time.

I will state this again, just to clarify.

I'm not looking to COPY someone's design exactly (I'm not particularly artistic but I'm good with thinking designs through), rather they will be inspired by someones work. One particular example of this is a jewelry box that had a secret draw that consisted of the base of the box sliding out which wasn't visible in any way from just looking at it. I thought that this was a pretty cool little idea which I would like to use/try out, but wasn't sure if I started making similar things if there would be a conflict. I'm not looking to buy his whole collection of works so I can start a business selling replicas, just wanted to know what the communities feelings were on making similar designs to someone else. Like I've said before, I'm not looking to make a million dollars from this, just want to see if I can make the hobby pay for itself over a short period, maybe make some money to reinvest into more/better tools and experiment with better woods (only gone as far as to use those which are available from Bunnings). I wont be working so the value of my time will be negligible when you consider it as time spent doing a hobby, so at the very least if I can get back the money for the timber and maybe a bit extra for sundry items I'll feel I'm on a winner.

Thanks
Brad

Brad, my comment is not directed at you personally.

Many turners see some designs as public domain or as another well known turner's creation when in fact if you do a little research the design even predates them. Some are or were actually registered designs and were produced in the thousands or tens of thousands. Now that turning is no longer a full time occupation except for the few the general hobbyist sees everything as fair game. That respect for others interlectual rights has diminished. In some cases it was hotly protected. Tunbridge Ware is a fine example of that, and is now almost lost as there is little documented about how it was created.

I would be wary of purchasing plans then selling product created from those plans for a number of reasons. Probably the best advice on this post has been "steal from many." Do your research, be influenced by others designs and add your personal touch. You will sleep better at night then.

For those interested in this topic Jerry Bennett has a very good article on plaigarism & copying in the AAW's journal (28.2:35–41).

I think the design is not the thing that is an issue, it is an issue if you try to reproduce a name or symbol. You can make copy Prada handbags all day long, the issue only comes when you write Prada (or the logo) on it.