POX on OBX!

[Josh Kinsley]

Where should the line be drawn? Do aftermarket oil filters and spark plugs
violate the ethical standard? How about aftermarket body panels that are
reproductions of the OEM parts?

I believe the legal line is drawn at the U.S. patent office. If a designer /
manufacturer has something patentable, then they can obtain protection
against others' stealing their intellectual property. It is a delicate
balance -- if there is too little IP protection, no one will innovate
because it's not worth the investment. If there is too much protection, no
one will be able to build upon the ideas and designs of others.

Does hotshot have patent(s) on this design? If not, why? I'm not taking
sides here, I'm just surprised by the level of emotion (and name calling)
being displayed.

FWIW, I'm a design engineer and often find myself building on the ideas and
designs of others, as well as worrying that others will 'steal' my work.

Best,
Josh Kinsley