Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:37 pm
#1187616
masterofnone wrote:Does the Jodel design have existing IP protection (patents etc)? It's quite an old design and IIRC, patents only last 20 years (??)
It seems such a popular aircraft, with many people aspiring to want one, but put off by having no option other than to build from plans.
I would have thought there was a pretty good opportunity for a kit manufacturer to take the design and manufacture it so as to make it more accessible. The fact that this hasn't happened leads me to think there is a good reason. Any ideas?
Some aeroplane designs may well incorporate patented features but the basis of the IP protection of an aeroplane design is not patent at all but other forms, principally this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial ... pean_Union
... which lasts for 25 years. Further to that, many aspects of the expression of the design, such as the actual plans (or CAD files these days), building instructions, and other forms of documentation, and some sculptural forms, are likely to be covered by copyright which lasts for the life of the creator plus 25 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_ ... pean_Union