Fabricate spade anchor

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Yep, I was agreeing with you.



Anyway the IP discussion is probably getting a ways OT.

Got it. Thanks! But yes. I'm sorry for the tangent. It's just that this "non-commercial = ok to take IP" idea is so prevalent that I feel obligated to say something.

I'll say no more (maybe [emoji6]).

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Goodonya, Versus, So, Goodonya, Emphasis is on the SO,

I can assure you I meant it in a complementary way being a boily type myself who makes our anchors

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Compass790

I can assure you I meant it in a complementary way being a boily type myself who makes our anchors

[Spade Anchor]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

You can take all of the outside measurements of our Patented Spade Anchor that you like. It will not give you a clue, as to what is going on inside it. The Shank, how is it supported? How much lead is in the tip, how is it balanced? Does the lead go all the way up? Where does the lead pour start and end? So on and on...

In this case it is also the unsafest form of flattery. Years of testing went into the original Spade, before it was the safest version to use. As a boat owner testing out a prototype, is not worth the risk. One small mistake can cost you everything. Is saving $600-$1000, worth risking $100,000 - $+++ and your life?

[Captain Bill]

I've noticed a lot of companies whose products have been around a long time continue to use the word "patented" in their advertising long after the patent has expired. Virtually all patents expire after 20 years. Some of these anchors have been around longer than that.

[Spade Anchor]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

I've noticed a lot of companies whose products have been around a long time continue to use the word "patented" in their advertising long after the patent has expired. Virtually all patents expire after 20 years. Some of these anchors have been around longer than that.

Ours is active. Our lawyers are bored if anyone wants to test it out. lol!

[NYSail]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I'll be getting a couple knocked out soon enough.
Do the maths on a 200lb new gen anchor and you'll understand why

Wow.... a 200lb anchor. Sure that does cost a fortune if you to buy one......

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by Spade Anchor

Ours is active. Our lawyers are bored if anyone wants to test it out. lol!

I actually own one of your anchors and am very happy with it. I find it hard to imagine that attempting to duplicate it for a one-off would be cheaper than buying one set up from a company set up to mass produce them. If I remember correctly Spade Anchors came out in the late 90's so that 20 year mark must be fast approaching. Fortunately for anchor producers the market isn't big enough or profitable enough to attract too many generic copies.

[Spade Anchor]

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

I actually own one of your anchors and am very happy with it. I find it hard to imagine that attempting to duplicate it for a one-off would be cheaper than buying one set up from a company set up to mass produce them. If I remember correctly Spade Anchors came out in the late 90's so that 20 year mark must be fast approaching. Fortunately for anchor producers the market isn't big enough or profitable enough to attract too many generic copies.

Very true. Its almost impossible to renew a patent, but a small change to the design qualifies for new patents.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Spade Anchor

Ours is active. Our lawyers are bored if anyone wants to test it out. lol!

See, I told ya so .

I really do appreciate the DIY approach to most cruising things. And I sure hope the OP can build a better mouse trap than what already exists. But one thing’s for sure — I wouldn’t sign up to be the test boat

It’s common knowledge that all the knock-off Danforths and CQRs were never as good as the “Genuine” version. I wouldn’t expect any different when all these NG anchors come out of patent and we start to see the generic versions come out.

[Pete17C]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Sounds like a copyright/patent violation to me.

you usually need to be selling an item you copied, if you're not selling them, what loss has the original designer suffered?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Pete17C

you usually need to be selling an item you copied, if you're not selling them, what loss has the original designer suffered?

Nope, that is not the case. Rather like many forms of piracy, it's just theft.


"Fair use" in copyright law is not to have a copy, but only to use small portions for education or research. More like borrowing, not taking, and with limitations.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Nope, that is not the case. Rather like many forms of piracy, it's just theft.


"Fair use" in copyright law is not to have a copy, but only to use small portions for education or research. More like borrowing, not taking, and with limitations.

What he said

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Nope, that is not the case. Rather like many forms of piracy, it's just theft.


"Fair use" in copyright law is not to have a copy, but only to use small portions for education or research. More like borrowing, not taking, and with limitations.

Basically true but not really applicable here as these items are protected by patent, not copyright.

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by Pete17C

you usually need to be selling an item you copied, if you're not selling them, what loss has the original designer suffered?

Patent or copyright, the original designer has suffered because they used their time, money, effort, risk, and experience to develop something new and useful. When you copy their design for your own use you take advantage of all their effort to avoid paying the patent-holder for their product or design. That's their loss.

Most patent-holders won't bother taking action against a one-off copy, but that doesn't make it legal or morally right.

If the effort to develop a patentable product is so trivial, just design something original and build that. You don't have to patent it if you don't want to.