Quote:
Originally Posted by stealthn
Sadly this is infringement, he will be sued to kingdom come and the patents will become Mercedes...
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I'm afraid you are right (IMO as layman).
The three-pointed star even has the same raised pattern as the Mercedes symbol.
Not just a coincidence but an exact copy.
Even trademark 'homages' and 'similarities' are mostly off-limits unless it's in a completely different spectrum.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/2fwqh0/can_people_with_tattoos_of_copyrighted_images_or/
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Commercial or a money-making usage is not required for infringement or liability."
Back in 2004 I had an idea for a 3-rotor electric motor that was pretty slick if i do say so myself. Still do actually.
But it was disruptive technology and nobody is going to spend a billion dollars on R&D for something that will ruin their existing business model.
I did a search through an attorney, filed a $14k patent, and started contacting auto companies that were selling the brand spanking new hybrids.
Toyota ignored all emails but I eventually got one back from Honda saying "we are not interested in your design".
They get dozens of these a day probably and the peon answering the emails barely graduated third grade.
Everyone I talked to (including UM engineering professors and Small Business and Ann Arbor SPARK org) said "Build and sell a prototype first. Then they will find you."
That was not possible, and there was existing prior patent artwork, so unfortunately that dream ended there.