What do you do when your product is knocked off?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by 69MSA

I'm curious Greg, if the Ring Brothers had taken the time to protect their hinge design prior to release, would it matter in a situation like this? I've heard from a few small companies around here that the costs generally don't outweigh the benefits because if the design is changed 10 percent or so by the competitor, then it is fair game. In this case, the new hinges aren't completely "air-framed." Also, I kept thinking that there was a difference in the strut mounting position, but then I noticed both are now horizontal. I can't even keep up with who is being innovative anymore

Matt

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.