clone or similiar?

[nagod]

so just how much variance does there have to be before knife B is similiar to or same general style as knife A instead of a design ripoff? thanks

 

[nagod]

apologies for double post please delete if possible

 

[Arkeld]

In my oppinion, a clone is identical in most repects i.e. both shape and mechanism are identical, as are all design apects. The only difference in a clone are the quality of the materials used and the markings.

A rip-off simply has the same general design, but differs in many other aspects, i.e. the blade can be a slightly different shape, as well as the handles, the colour can be way different etc.

Bear in mind though that these are not legal terms. Even a knife that is clearly different from the original but uses identifiable design aspects will often be considered to be a copyright infringement.

As for where that particular line is drawn, well, lawyers have made a lot of money arguing such cases back and forth...

 

[Let It Bleed]

In general copyrights protect literary, artistic, and musical works and patents protect inventions and improvements to existing inventions.