Posted by Ohso on 22, 2001 at 7:01 PM:
In Reply to: What to do? posted by Brian on 22, 2001 at 6:19 PM:
Patents are not the same as a copyright. If you built an exact duplicate of a Ferrari and gave it away Ferrari couldn't sue you unless maybe you claimed it was an ACTUAL Ferrari, but that's fraud and a whole different subject. So in a nutshell, copying an existing physical object that is patented is not illegal, although selling it would be.
: Ok here's my question. Ever since I put my web site up about my cabinet, I've gotten many e-mails requesting the ACAD file that I used to make the cabinet. We'll this is what I'm wondering....I copied the dimensions for the cabinet from an Atari cabinet made in 1999. Since I copied the cabinet shape and Atari probably has a patant on the design, should I give out the ACAD drawing or could I potentially get in trouble from Atari if I do that. I did change a few dimensions but the overall shape is still the same. What do ya think? Am I worrying about nothing?
: Game on!! Brian