SIUBASSER Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Hey i know i have read something about this on here before, but is it legal to make exact copies of baits for your own use? I did a search and all i got back was a bunch of stuff about zoom. Now if it is intact illegal to do this then i am most defiantly not doing it. But if its not, this is a lot of fun! Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Baits Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Its must likely not legal to copy them at all. But since you are doing it for yourself its up to you. If you sell some make enough cash to get a lawyer. So basicly don't snitch on yourself (LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIUBASSER Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Well understood! My next question would then be, how much different from an original would it have to be to make a bait legal. I know everybody and their brother are making this type of bait and they are all very similar. I am making a beaver or beast type bait that has a much different tail section. Is that a big enough difference to make it legal. I am in college, , studying business entrepreneurship and a buddy and i have recently been contemplating someday starting a lure company. The tail design i have is amazing, well at least in my head:), so if it works i might even look into getting a patient. But I'm a long way away from that point. Just wondering about all of the logistics. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoopa Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 (edited) I think that i read on the forum here somewhere is that alls you have to do is a 20% change in the bait to call it yours. Im not for sure on this so correct me if im wrong:lol:. Edited April 22, 2009 by spoopa left a word out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Baits Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 I think its 10% not saying your wrong spoopa I have been wrong once before well they were but I am nice and said I was (LOL). It would be best to talk to a laywer that deals with this type of thing. A real good person to talk with is Delw also. He can point you in the right direction on this subject. He may jump in on this he deals with this stuff a lot and has helped people on this type of thing. Always talk to a laywer to protect yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charmerbaits Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 The general rule is 10% but you will need to see if any part of the bait or particular action of the bait is patented. If so you will have to be very careful on what you copy. There are some posts on here about the bigger companies going after/shutting down production of certain baits due to the patent infringement. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 To expand on Charlie's comment, Zoom has patented the shape of the claws on their Zoom Speed Craw. They have also patented the shape of their super chunk and the little bumps on the surface. They have all kinds of patents which is probably why their name always comes up in patent discussions. Get copies of their patents. It makes for interesting reading. If you want to market a beaver type bait, get a copy of their patent and see what they claim as their's, take what is left and create your version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Also.... Be aware, as mentioned, that some baits are patent for their action and not for their design.... All that being said, there are many ways to make something up that is original. Good luck and have fun! PS I graduated from ISU up in "Normal", IL... Go Redbirds!!! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...