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clearly the zage kit is a ripoff/copy/duplicate, but it is not a counterfeit (they are not using greddy markings).
greddy is right in the sense that this type of copying hurts the companies that actually innovate and design the original kits, but it is not illegal for them to do so. so...the bruden is on the innovators to protect their designs.
my advice to greddy is implement a diligent intellectual property protection strategy which includes applying for design patents as standard operating procedure for all key components. the brackets, headers, heat shields, and unique shaped tubing would all be easily protectable and enforceable.
here at group-a we apply for and are issued about 7-10 design and utility patents a year. clearly in recent years copying in this industry has become increasingly widespread and flagrant, and we've had to take a much more aggressive approach to enforcing IP violators in the marketplace. in the past 18 months we've had to take legal action against 4 patent violators, and atleast 6 trademark infringers (ie counterfeit manufacturers and resellers)and counting.
innovators in our industry need to start understanding that the best defense in this industry is a good offense.
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