Copying other builders plugs, when does it cross the line?

[Guyver]

I figured I would post this question here since there seems to be more commercial builders here. At what point does making a copy of someone elses plug cross the line?

Examples:
New builder just starting out likes a plug he has bought and wants to try and make a copy. Only makes enough for thier own personal use. OK?

Builder likes someone elses plug and makes some for themselves and 2 or 3 friends whom are given the plugs. OK?

Builder makes enough copies to put into a swap with a dozen other members. Has it now crossed the line?

Builder is pumping out copies and trading freely with others, so much so copies are showing up in buy/sell/trade forums. Has it definately crossed the line?

Builder has such positive responce from his copies that he now makes them and sells them out of thier truck if asked. Will this person be hunted down and prison raped ?


Not trying to start a war just a new builder not wanting to piss people off and unfimiliar with the edicate. Most of the plugs I'm coming up with always seem to look familiar, like I have already seen that body posted before. One plug which was supposed to be a copy of a commercial plug, but I just wung it, is so spot on the eyes and belly hole match exactly with the real one and I feel guilty, especially since the builder gave it to me for free in person. When I make future ones I will be trying to change it but it seems like it will always end up looking like somebodies plug, commercial or hobbiest. It seems like there are so many builders these days everybody is pretty much building the same plugs. Tough to come up with something original . If you look hard enough you will find something out there that is a match. So what's the general concensis?

[Tagger]

Its pretty much all been done before any of us came along . You probably copied someone who copied someone eles .. old plugs ,,new names. Just roll with it ,, have fun . Most salt water plugs originated in fresh water . I know ,, I re-invented the wheel many times .

[Jigman]

Copying a plug and making a few for your bag or to give a couple of friends, no problem. Give credit where credit is due and everybody be happy. Copying a plug and selling, problem.

When starting out, just about everyone copies other plugs that are already available. It helps you to learn the nuts and bolts of what makes that specific plug tick. Once you have figured that out you can modify certain features of a plug so that it works better under the conditions you like to fish. A little tweaking here and there and you may end up with something very different than what you started with.

Jigman

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by Jigman

A little tweaking here and there and you may end up with something very different than what you started with.

Jigman

yea ... Like "Jiggy Spook " Plug of the Year ..

[Slingah]

Originally Posted by Tagger

yea ... Like "Jiggy Spook " Plug of the Year ..

A-right......took some more finish of mine today ....can't believe I havent lost that plug

[numbskull]

Danny Pinchney and Stan Gibbs must be chuckling somewhere right about now.

[capesams]

I like to copy dead peoples stuff.just something about the old classic's that make me want to run for some rubber undies...their just so pissa looking.

[Flaptail]

I have to laugh every time I see a post with this topic. It's all been said and done before, don't get yer panties in an uproar. Pay homage where homage is due is all. No problems mon.

Like Numbskull said. Gibbs, Pichney, Creek Chub, Roman, Murat, Pond. All these digruntled plug builder wars are a joke. Gibbs has been copied by everyone and when Gibbs copied someone they git all peeded off, makes no sense. A copy is a copy is a copy. Unless it's trademarked and has a patent, it's a free for all.

Myself, if it looks good and works even better I like it and don't really care who built it or who they copied or if it was an original thought.

Life's too short for this sh!t.

Next!

[capesams]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I have to laugh every time I see a post with this topic. It's all been said and done before, don't get yer panties in an uproar. Pay homage where homage is due is all. No problems mon.

Like Numbskull said. Gibbs, Pichney, Creek Chub, Roman, Murat, Pond. All these digruntled plug builder wars are a joke. Gibbs has been copied by everyone and when Gibbs copied someone they git all peeded off, makes no sense. A copy is a copy is a copy. Unless it's trademarked and has a patent, it's a free for all.

Myself, if it looks good and works even better I like it and don't really care who built it or who they copied or if it was an original thought.

Life's too short for this sh!t.

Next!

thread pooper...I got a brand new stirrin stick an I'm diein to use it

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by capesams

thread pooper...I got a brand new stirrin stick an I'm diein to use it

Sorry

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Tagger

yea ... Like "Jiggy Spook " Plug of the Year ..

Yup i second that.
--------------------------
I figure when you get to the point

where you can't give credit to the guy

you copied, or thank the ones who helped

you get started, there is a problem.

[Mike P]

It's next to impossible to get a patent for a fishing lure. Scratch the "next to"---for all practical purposes, you can't. You can make an exact copy of an "Ultimate Gizmo" and call it something else, and there ain't a damn thing the Ultimate Gizmo Co. can do about it.

Trademarks are another story. But, you have to find out a) what's trademarked, and b) who really owns it and will they bitch about it?

For example---does Gibbs own the trademark to "Pencil Popper" or do they own the trademark to "Gibbs Pencil Popper"?

The only thing I know for sure about trademarks--because I was asked to check--is that Creek Chub trademarked "darter" back in the early 1950s. As far as I know, they've never asserted any challenge to any other lure builder's use of that name, and in fact may not be able to after the passage of a certain amount of time without complaint.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Mike P

It's next to impossible to get a patent for a fishing lure. Scratch the "next to"---for all practical purposes, you can't. You can make an exact copy of an "Ultimate Gizmo" and call it something else, and there ain't a damn thing the Ultimate Gizmo Co. can do about it.

Trademarks are another story. But, you have to find out a) what's trademarked, and b) who really owns it and will they bitch about it?

For example---does Gibbs own the trademark to "Pencil Popper" or do they own the trademark to "Gibbs Pencil Popper"?

The only thing I know for sure about trademarks--because I was asked to check--is that Creek Chub trademarked "darter" back in the early 1950s. As far as I know, they've never asserted any challenge to any other lure builder's use of that name, and in fact may not be able to after the passage of a certain amount of time without complaint.

Stan was advised to trademark all his designs, never did it. The only trademarked name Gibbs owns is the "Danny" plug. They bought the rights and had it trademarked a few years back.

Cotton Cordell actually has the name Pencil Popper trademarked but there is an "agreement" between themselves and Gibbs as to who can and who can't call it a Pencil Popper. Seeing how Cordell, now part of Pradco, stole it from Gibbs.

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by justplugit

--------------------------
I figure when you get to the point

where you can't give credit to the guy

you copied, or thank the ones who helped

you get started, there is a problem.

[numbskull]

Gosh, I'd better trademark the name "Fishless Crap", which I seem to have perfected, right away!

[Karl F]

Can I borrow that name George?

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Gosh, I'd better trademark the name "Fishless Crap", which I seem to have perfected, right away!

Sounds like franchise material....