MINI2

Paul · Feb 19th, 2007, 07:59 PM

What do you think?

MINI Risking Bad Car-ma?

KillerByte · Feb 19th, 2007, 08:49 PM

To be honest, I'm quite shocked!

In my eyes, the artist makes a very good point.

MartinSSZ · Feb 19th, 2007, 09:36 PM

I may be the only one, but other than the same basic concept I can't see the "direct copy" being claimed

Paul · Feb 19th, 2007, 09:37 PM

Thought it might divide opinion.

robble · Feb 19th, 2007, 10:06 PM

I think I saw an advertisement for this guy on this website a few weeks ago.

Exactly the page and rant the article is refering to.

Actually, I just looked and the ad is still there although it may be a "google ad".

on the main page of mini2..

Otherwise... may be a rip off.

Paul · Feb 19th, 2007, 10:16 PM

I saw it on a Google ad too actually!

Tonyt3 · Feb 22nd, 2007, 01:26 PM

The original artist seems to be confused between the idea of 'Copywrite' and 'patent'. You can copywrite a pice of 'art' (art as defined by anything original that you create) and then publish. However, you cannot protect an 'idea' by copywrite, you need to apply for a patent.

Its the major flaw with the TV series 'Dragons Den'. If someone comes along with an idea for a 'widget' and asks the dragons for money to develope it, without first having a Patent for the 'widget' anyone watching the program could simply copy it, patent it, and bring it to market. New ideas must not be publised before patenting takes place. Very often, multiple people may well be working on the same idea for a product around the world, its only the successful patent applicant that can claim protection. They may even have started their development long after a competitor, but unless its patented then its not protected.

The 'artist' claims that BMW are copying his work and infringing his rights. what tosh. If he has the idea patented, then he has a case. If they had used his imagery to sell a 'parking budda' then he would have a case. But as they are neither selling a 'parking budda' or using his original artwork without permission then he has no case.

If I painted a picture of a smiling woman wearing a black dress sitting infront of an area of landscape would i have infringed the copywrite on the Mona Lisa....? no. If however I made a copy of the Mona Lisa painting and used it to sell something then yes I would, however, I still wouldnt have infringed a patent protected item.

To me it would probably seem that the idea was copied, perhaps even subconciously. Lets face facts, its hard to have a truely original thought on a planet populated by over 6 billion people.

Furthermore, the two products are not the same. One describes a device for magically producing parking spaces out of thin air, the other decribes the basic functions of a parking sensor/aid to enable easier parking. It would be thrown out of court as soon as the lawyers open their mouths.

Paul · Feb 22nd, 2007, 01:48 PM

I reckon it possibly went "hey, remember that parking thing from a few years back, we could do something a bit like that...." And I agree, I don't think legally there's anything to answer for here.

Bodom · Mar 29th, 2007, 01:13 PM

*EDIT*

Whoa , I made one off topic post if there ever was one. Move along people.

View Poll Results: So is it....
Coincidence.	15	37.50%
A rip off.	15	37.50%
Merely "inspired by"	10	25.00%
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll

Feb 19th, 2007, 07:59 PM	#1
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 37,537 Online	MINI Rip Off? What do you think? MINI Risking Bad Car-ma?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What a Rip-Off!	atif_farooq	Exterior	15	Sep 11th, 2006 10:14 PM
No One Go To Mini Design! Rip Off	eddie_DV52_CCZ	General Discussion	5	Apr 11th, 2004 12:00 PM
A rip off	oreokid	Dealership Feedback	3	Aug 6th, 2003 05:58 PM
Were they trying to rip me off?	Spoony	MINI One	4	Oct 18th, 2002 06:05 AM
Is this a RIP off or what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	dinger	General Discussion	8	Jul 10th, 2002 11:07 AM

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Discuss the MINI in print, magazines, paper articles, in games or on the net, on TV and film here

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Feb 19th, 2007, 08:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
KillerByte Custom User Title? Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nottingham Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 9,585 Offline	To be honest, I'm quite shocked! In my eyes, the artist makes a very good point.

Feb 19th, 2007, 09:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
MartinSSZ Yellow and Proud My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 782 Offline	I may be the only one, but other than the same basic concept I can't see the "direct copy" being claimed

Feb 19th, 2007, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 37,537 Online	Thought it might divide opinion.

Feb 19th, 2007, 10:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
robble MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Local Time: 09:48 PM Posts: 145 Offline	I think I saw an advertisement for this guy on this website a few weeks ago. Exactly the page and rant the article is refering to. Actually, I just looked and the ad is still there although it may be a "google ad". on the main page of mini2.. Otherwise... may be a rip off.

Feb 19th, 2007, 10:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 37,537 Online	I saw it on a Google ad too actually!

Feb 22nd, 2007, 01:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tonyt3 Track addict Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hants Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 4,405 Offline	The original artist seems to be confused between the idea of 'Copywrite' and 'patent'. You can copywrite a pice of 'art' (art as defined by anything original that you create) and then publish. However, you cannot protect an 'idea' by copywrite, you need to apply for a patent. Its the major flaw with the TV series 'Dragons Den'. If someone comes along with an idea for a 'widget' and asks the dragons for money to develope it, without first having a Patent for the 'widget' anyone watching the program could simply copy it, patent it, and bring it to market. New ideas must not be publised before patenting takes place. Very often, multiple people may well be working on the same idea for a product around the world, its only the successful patent applicant that can claim protection. They may even have started their development long after a competitor, but unless its patented then its not protected. The 'artist' claims that BMW are copying his work and infringing his rights. what tosh. If he has the idea patented, then he has a case. If they had used his imagery to sell a 'parking budda' then he would have a case. But as they are neither selling a 'parking budda' or using his original artwork without permission then he has no case. If I painted a picture of a smiling woman wearing a black dress sitting infront of an area of landscape would i have infringed the copywrite on the Mona Lisa....? no. If however I made a copy of the Mona Lisa painting and used it to sell something then yes I would, however, I still wouldnt have infringed a patent protected item. To me it would probably seem that the idea was copied, perhaps even subconciously. Lets face facts, its hard to have a truely original thought on a planet populated by over 6 billion people. Furthermore, the two products are not the same. One describes a device for magically producing parking spaces out of thin air, the other decribes the basic functions of a parking sensor/aid to enable easier parking. It would be thrown out of court as soon as the lawyers open their mouths.

Feb 22nd, 2007, 01:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul Trained Monkey My Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bedfordshire Local Time: 08:48 AM Posts: 37,537 Online	I reckon it possibly went "hey, remember that parking thing from a few years back, we could do something a bit like that...." And I agree, I don't think legally there's anything to answer for here.

Mar 29th, 2007, 01:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bodom MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Local Time: 10:48 AM Posts: 21 Offline	EDIT Whoa , I made one off topic post if there ever was one. Move along people.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)