Yesterday at the Dealer Expo 2007 in Indianapolis U.S. Marshals served papers on about half a dozen exhibitors who allegedly manufactured unauthorized copies of patent-protected products. Manufacturers who claimed the exhibitors had violated intellectual property laws filed the lawsuits. Additional lawsuits may be served today. Advanstar sends letters to companies accused of copying products, notifying them that their future participation in the Expo could be denied if they are held liable for the offense. "It’s an understandable concern of our exhibitors," said Tracy Harris, vice president with show owner Advanstar, "but we’re not the police." Contingent of lawyers are walking the floor looking for exhibitors who might be selling illegal copies of manufacturers products. I have had quite a few illegal copies of my parts produced here in the US and China. So, I can only approve what’s happening this weekend in Indianapolis. For information I just wrote a piece to be published in Barnett Magazine about knock-offs produced in China. The same way, I also intend to take legal action against those who steal posts from this Blog and reproduce them without authorization and/or giving credit to the original author.
Having had one of my products ripped off I have to say I’m really glad to hear this. There are so many cool things that could be built, why do these people focus on ripping off other people’s ideas?
Is there a list somewhere of who got tagged?
Joe
Very nice touch and well done. There is very few of us original designers. Mike Tomas. Kiwi Indian
I just found this article:
http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=405786
Since a couple of years I observe that there is a greater number of "guests" not belonging to our industry walking the floor of our trade shows. What about the number of people wearing cameras and pretending to be journalists? Since when are you a journalist because you wear a camera and show a business card? It is the duty of our trade show organizations to police access. Then, it will be easier to identify those who are exhibitors or visitors and use trade shows to rip off the true innovators and creators of our industry.
Joe. Advanstar has the list of people/companies served. But, of course all these people/companies are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If guilty, they will be prohibited from any future trade shows.
Unfortunately, you would be wasting time and money attempting going after people who copy your posts. You couldn’t possibly succeed.
good.now carry thur with shutting them out of future dealer shows.with there stolen sub standard parts…..im tired of trying to explain to people at the counter.why are parts cost more than the knock offs out there…..and seeing talent stolen and almost being accepted as ok….how long before a shop finds itself getting sued for installing a inferior faulty knock off.perhaps without even knowing,as many have installed parts bought outside of our store.either by a good customer who got or thinks he got a score…it will be a story worth watching…….
lee
It was time the industry stop whining and decide to take legal action. Problem is that talent is in small companies not having the means to trade mark or sue a big company in the US or in China.
Fast and interesting news. Love your blog man.
Yes, it was time. They even dare to show copies next to a booth showing the original!!!
Finally! It’s late in happening, but I’m glad they are at least trying to slow the rip-off artists down, Of course the best way to slow them down is to not buy the rip-off stuff! By a Baker RSD tranny, a BDL or Primo belt drive, Headwinds headlights, Dakota Digital gauges, and buy your handlebars from ME.