Legality of replicating parts.

[ratrodmog]

Hi all. I am trying to find out if reproducing body panels is in breach of any copyrite/patent laws? The reason I ask is that I would like to make my own fiberglass/carbon fiber flip front, arches, boot lid and possibly try for fiberglass doors . These would be for my own car but if they turn out well then I may make some custom variations to sell on. All I wondered is if anyone know if I can legally do this
Cheers
Ben

[LouiseM]

Contact Jonathon - he'll know the answer.

[jonathon]

If you are making your own moulds then there is no problem. If you use an existing aftermarket product ie glass flip front then take a mould of this then you would certainly make youself very unpopular,(if you know what I mean).
All of the panels you mention are currently available, so why go to the expense of making your own moulds then customising them in which case you will need to do them all again.

[ratrodmog]

Oh god no, I would be making up my own moulds. I realise that all these panel are available off the shelf already but I want the challenge of making my own. I have some fiberglass experience so I don't think it will be too challenging for me. I wanted to try and replicate the willis coupe style front end that was very popular in the 80's and a few wide arch variations. Also wanted to look at the possibility of fiberglass door skins .

[xpress]

sounds interesting ratrodmog!

[jonathon]

Fibreglass doorskins will be available off the shelf in about a month or two. Bully are producing glass doors already but are undergoing development before final release.
So if thinking of this as a money earner, I'm not sure if it will reap you the rewards.

[taupe]

Hi

Dont forget to consider that If youre making items for sale to the general public (not just for yourself or close friends) you should really have product liability insurance. Otherwise you could be sued for everything you have in the event of an accident attributed or even part attributed to your component.

[ratrodmog]

Jonathon, I was originally thinking of this idea just for myself but having talked to a few people they mentioned that they would me interested in having a willys flip front made as they are very few and far between. It wasn't really something to make money out of at this stage but maybe further down the line I could produce a few, if they work . Something like this below,[frame][/frame]

Also the rear arches on this have been extended, which I quite like and may produce.

This one below I really love but is not to everyones taste,[frame][/frame]

A would be interested in trying to replicate it for myself and if anyone want one then give me a shout. Watch this space

As with the door skins, they were just for myself so will definately take a look at bullys ones, not to replicate though so don't worry.

Xpress, interested enough to want one?

Taupe, yes, public liability insurance is something that I am looking into thanks.

[xpress]

lol i like the orange car! ratrod, i might want a couple of fibreglass doors, it would make the car lighter which is a bonus!

[jonathon]

I have a feeling that Chris at Pop Browns does a Willys flip front for the minor.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against people making their own panels or selling them on, but the market for glass parts is not that great, except for modified/custom panels. I would be concerned to find that our products had been used to replicate panels and have said so before on several occasions, that examples of this would be acted upon.

[ratrodmog]

I would be concerned to find that our products had been used to replicate panels and have said so before on several occasions, that examples of this would be acted upon.

You have nothing to worry about there Jonathon as I would me making my own moulds from my own panels as this would give me great experience in more advanced mould making .
I thought that as I own a custom morris I would make my own panels, and, if anyone wanted one then sell some on.

[plastic_orange]

That orange minor was for sale on ebay several years ago - very cheap if I recall.
I fitted a Willys style front to a pick up years ago for a mate - wasn't really impressed with it.

Pete

[rayofleamington]

RatRod - if you want a look at a pair of fibreglass doors, you're welcome to have a butchers at mine.
They were originally fairly standard but have since been converted to suicide opening and 1 piece frameless windows.

[xpress]

erm, could i take a look at those somewhere ray, do you have a link?

[ratrodmog]

Where are yours from Ray? Are they Bullys? I'd like to see the quality if you could post a pic . Also are they strengthened inside with some sort of bars? I am wondering if the flip fronts need to be reinforced with bars of whether the fiberglass is strong enough on its own.

[rayofleamington]

flip fronts would need to be re-enforced, however, not neccessarily by steel but that's probably the easiest way.

my doors are in south leamington - I'm not sure what yoiu could tell from a couple of photos, but if I get time I'll take some.