low_48
Member
I'm not an economic major, just curious about how it has worked for inventors over the years. I recently enjoyed a show on The National Geographic Channel on the Wright Brothers versus Glen Curtiss. The patent battles between them actually slowed the early development of aviation. The stress of the battle of the law suits was suggested to be a contributing factor in the early death of one of the Wright Bros. But what I didn't catch in the show, was that the Wright Brothers were not the first inventors of the aileron. There was a British inventor that designed it, and an American inventor with previous work as well. But they fought with tooth and nail to back "their patents"! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_brothers_patent_war
I also believe it's generally understood that many of Edison's inventions were not original thought. He took other's ideas and patents, then made changes or bought those patents from poor inventors, and made practical products. I once watched a video he made where he electrocuted a live elephant to show how dangerous AC power was, compared to "his" safe DC electricity! Brutal marketing plan!
So examples in history show these kind of battles over inventions and marketing have gone on for a long time. I can't imagine that an inventor today would ever consider for a minute, that their work would not be copied. It's generally considered a fact that you do your development, get the product on the market, and make the money while you can. Do the right marketing, and keep creative, and you may just keep the majority of customer base. But it's just a matter of time until you will be knocked off, if the market is there. One of the points that confuses me about the off center jig, is that there is a large enough market out there that would support a knockoff. Maybe it shows that a better job of marketing will develop that market? It's nice that people are loyal to the developer and the retail sales agent, so they have done their job to develop customer loyalty. But posting about some darned company (or person) that knocked off a product you like, is going to be a part time job!
I also believe it's generally understood that many of Edison's inventions were not original thought. He took other's ideas and patents, then made changes or bought those patents from poor inventors, and made practical products. I once watched a video he made where he electrocuted a live elephant to show how dangerous AC power was, compared to "his" safe DC electricity! Brutal marketing plan!
So examples in history show these kind of battles over inventions and marketing have gone on for a long time. I can't imagine that an inventor today would ever consider for a minute, that their work would not be copied. It's generally considered a fact that you do your development, get the product on the market, and make the money while you can. Do the right marketing, and keep creative, and you may just keep the majority of customer base. But it's just a matter of time until you will be knocked off, if the market is there. One of the points that confuses me about the off center jig, is that there is a large enough market out there that would support a knockoff. Maybe it shows that a better job of marketing will develop that market? It's nice that people are loyal to the developer and the retail sales agent, so they have done their job to develop customer loyalty. But posting about some darned company (or person) that knocked off a product you like, is going to be a part time job!