Hi all,

i think the part would have to be slightly different. this could be a very small difference like a groove or bump added and then sell it as a replacement part and not a direct copy of it. but this all depends on whether the part is patent or copyright protected in the first place. 

what country are you in??

Generally in the UK you will get away with copying steel panels no problem.  By the time youve fettled the mould, trimmed it etc the part will only be "similar" in shape to the OEM part.

Ive never heard of anyone getting done for copyright on copying steel panels in carbon. Hell, even pattern steel panel manufacturers get away with it with only very slight differences in the panel pressing on edges, fixings etc.

However if you bought a competitors part then took a mould from it you would be on dodgy grounds potentially if you made no changes whatsoever.

In terms of liability, the phrase you need to learn and use is "for off road use only". Be very clear to your customers you are NOT selling them a crash tested homologated for road use part.  If they dont like it, then tough.  And to be fair, the kind of customer who is interested in liability against you before theyve even bought anything isnt worth the hassle.

Of course that doesnt mean you can get away with shoddy work.   You will find the same "for off road use" phrase used in the vast majority of the modified car parts scene.

Thanks for the responses!

 

Hi,  

By "For off road use" you could understand "you are not supposed to use it on the road", in the way that the part did not come with the vehicle when it left the factory. Responsibility of the buyer to mount it on a car or not.   

 



 


    A $1000 electronic device will always protect a 10 cents fuse

If you wanted to claim your part was safe for road use then you would need to have some form of testing to prove that.

Technically you would still be in breach of homologation for that vehicle.  Its not so bad in the UK as the law is grey with VOSA being unable to do much unless it can prove a part is unsafe.... and the MoT not encompassing most modified parts.

However in europe it is much more strict with modifications banned full stop in many countries and some requiring full homolagation and testing -  eg german TUV standard.

Your best bet is the "not for road use" line to protect yourself.

The last thing you want is some pedestrian suing you for millions because some chimp run him over with a carbon bonnet and the bonnet splintered causing more injuries.

I'm planning to make a Goalie helmet (Field hockey goal keeper helmet) 

from a copyright point of view, as long as its not identical you will get away with it.

From a safety point of view are you having the helmet tested???

If no formal testing then Id be very wary about selling it as anything other than a "display" piece.

You sell a helmet and claim it offers protection, then you will be in for a world of hurt if someone gets thier head bashed in then sues you.

hehe yeah your right!