Good question, Matt, for which I have no answer. I would ASSume that you'd copy right/patent the design aspect of the hinge being billet... and several other more "cohesive" design elements in order to give you the broadest possible protection. Even then - I'm not sure what could be copy righted and or what that costs. My guess is - it's prohibitive. I just spent a quarter million on litigation and it was a very simple issue. The bills get real high - real fast, when it comes to "legal stuff". At some point it just isn't economically feasible.

I've been watching this thread with A LOT of interest and since Scott brought my name up in an example I'll add my $.02 for what it's worth.

What I provide is a service, I produce intangible design solutions to problems. The only product I produce currently is a print of the final design. The intellectual property is owned by myself and/or my client depending on the agreement.

There is no more difficult position to be in than a designer/artist when it comes to protecting intellectual property and art. It's a real Catch 22. 25% of my week is spent battling someone from using unauthorized art in ads, or attempting to sell multiple prints and shirts from a design I've done in the past, or a shop ripping off an innovative design element a client paid me to. All they have to do is ask and we can figure out something that is mutually beneficial.

Then again, I do like having my work viewable as marketing assets. Potential clients need to see my thought process in order to feel confident in my services. I have to hang intellectual property out in the breeze for all to see, knowing that it's going to get ripped off and I won't get credit. It happens more than I'd like to admit.

I have to be a rabid pitbull sometimes and it's incredibly frustrating. Some people are either totally ignorant to intellectual property laws or they flat out don't give a damn. They don't realize/care that this is what puts food on a designer/artist's table. They're literally stealing from my family.

That said, I'm moving into the next phase of my business plan which includes development of parts, prints and apparel. The amount of legal BS that I've been dealing with for the past 12 months is insane, but I want to be sure I'm protected from every single angle against this stuff. I know I'm not going to stop every lazy slug from ripping off something but I'll at least be able to sleep at night.

The other aspect that's helpful is communities like this where we can expose these practices to some degree. If we can shed light on the situation, I'm confident people will make the right choice when they're shopping.

Co-Muthafuken-Signed, Ben...

When I saw the advertisment, I thought they looked like duplicates. There's only but so many ways to make a taillight, but I thought the Nova taillights look alot like the Marquez one's debuted at SEMA last year too....

That's kind of what I said too. I said..."Uhh Ohhh!! They look exactly like Ring Brothers." And I knew RB hinges were on the market first.

Honestly, the other day when I saw the Fesler post I initially thought the same thing. It is true that they are different since they are still solid but similar nonetheless.

RB is top notch. I like the Fesler stuff too. The ones that frustrate me the most are the companies that don't appear to have any interest in the industry besides copying someone else's designs and making a buck off them. I guess technology makes it all to easy with machined parts these days. I won't name companies but I think we all see them in the industry. It seems to really be an issue on the performance parts side of things, e.g. intakes, blocks, etc. And now there are a few making billet pieces very similar to products from Clayton Machine, RB, Marquez and even Fesler. IMHO I don't feel that Fesler falls into the category of these others design thieving companies. However, in this case these are similar and I'd agree that RB has a point.

I remember seeing the RB hinges for quite some time then saw Fesler and the Eddie Motorsports ones. For the simple fact I know RB was the innovator, they have my business when I pull the trigger on my set. Is Fesler still a supporting vendor or still on this site at all? Perhaps they can chime in a bit here?

Got my RB hinges for the warden's Chevelle this last Wednesday. They look far better than I had hoped. A couple buddies thought that was crazy money for a decorative item, but when I layed one in their hands they went silent for a minute. lol I wouldn't run the competitive product for reasons that have nothing to do with billet.

I have mixed feelings on this deal. I have your hinges and hood pins and the quality is the cream of the crop. When somebody gets on my nerves, I hate to let them know they got under my skin. I understand why you called them out. To the casual observer, they may not realize that there is a difference in quality and the people behind the products. Unfortunately, China is probably next and you don't have a pot to piss in......

Didn't Fesler get banned from Goodguys shows?. I feel for you Mike that just sucks.