Proper etiquette for copying GJ ideas?

KMinAF · Mar 24, 2013

I placed this post in this section because it is where I see so many fantastic creations. Maybe I am hust old fashioned but what is the proper etiquette for using someone elses ideas? For example, Larwyn's post in the "Just Bored" thread, I copied his skeleton hand bottle holder and now my neighbor wants one but I don't want to do it for free, is it ok to make a bit of profit off of someone elses idea? I have always made it known that the ideas originated here at GJ.

wornoutoldman · Mar 24, 2013

How do you think the Chinese gained the upper hand? :lol_hitti

gte718p · Mar 24, 2013

GarageJournal is a public forum were people post ideas. It is free for the stealing. If you don't want your ideas in the public domain there are steps you take, copy right, patents, etc. The first and most obvious is don't post it online for the world to see.

If it is interesting to build post a thread here for us to enjoy, and give the original owner the props he deserves.

PAToyota · Mar 24, 2013

I'd talk to someone before I went into full scale production of something, but using someone else's idea for myself and a few buddies isn't outside the line as far as I'm concerned. I'd expect the same of the ideas that I've posted up.

And I'm sure that there are overseas shops trolling this forum to see if there is anything that they can make 20 million copies of...

Stuey · Mar 24, 2013

PAToyota said:
I'd talk to someone before I went into full scale production of something, but using someone else's idea for myself and a few buddies isn't outside the line as far as I'm concerned. I'd expect the same of the ideas that I've posted up.

And I'm sure that there are overseas shops trolling this forum to see if there is anything that they can make 20 million copies of...

+1. If I share a design I wouldn't mind others making copies for personal use, or even another one or two for neighbors or close buddies, but I'd be super pissed if someone started selling copies of my designs on a national level.

The fact that you're concerned over this suggests that you already know what's right and what's wrong. Shouldn't be any harm in your making and selling one to your neighbor.

Are you looking to profit over the idea, or just want your neighbor to compensate you for your time, effort, and materials?

A slight shift in mindset changes everything.

ilovevocs · Mar 24, 2013

I agree with the above, and as you stated your not claiming authorship of the idea.

Alchymist · Mar 24, 2013

I'm pretty sure most of what I invent, design, or develop isn't totally original. Over the many years I have seen a lot of such stuff, and even if I don't consciously remember something, details of some idea are probably from something I've seen before. Kind of like coming up with a solution using math, for instance - you didn't invent the math. Or you designed a new can opener - using a gear assembly approach you saw years ago. A concept you encountered in metal working applied to jewelry making or woodworking - even if only remotely similar - well, you get the idea. :dunno:

koditten · Mar 24, 2013

I thank if you properly than the original poster in a PM should be plenty.

I've had several members use my trailer build threads to build trailers for themselves and to sell. I was even offered $ for compensation. Like what was previously posted, most of what we do is not copywrited.

I was properly thanked and my ego took a huge boost. (wife told me to put in bigger doors because my head was swelling)

HOTFR8 · Mar 24, 2013

If I copy an idea here on the forum I usualy post some credit to the person I got the idea from. I have done so before with some lamp shades I made.

Sureshot · Mar 24, 2013

Send $20 to me and all will be well.

larry_g · Mar 24, 2013

koditten said:
I thank if you properly than the original poster in a PM should be plenty.

I've had several members use my trailer build threads to build trailers for themselves and to sell. I was even offered $ for compensation. Like what was previously posted, most of what we do is not copywrited.

I was properly thanked and my ego took a huge boost. (wife told me to put in bigger doors because my head was swelling)

This, Thank the person that you copied and even show your interpretation of his design.

lg
no neat sig line

BD1 · Mar 24, 2013

Just when you think you have a great idea and post it, others post something similar . So much for my idea.
I think that once it is post on the internet it is free game.

Larwyn · Mar 24, 2013

I am happy that you liked the hand enough to copy it, and I can certainly understand why anyone who ever made one would not be inclined to make another for free. I would like to see a picture of the copies just for grins but I claim no ownership of the human skeleton (other than my own) which I so crudely copied myself. :evil:

It seems that a beer holder of some sort is often the result when I attempt to clean up all the scrap metal in the garage. The hand skeleton has been the one to result in the most comments so far though. :beer:

KMinAF · Mar 27, 2013

Larwyn said:
I am happy that you liked the hand enough to copy it, and I can certainly understand why anyone who ever made one would not be inclined to make another for free. I would like to see a picture of the copies just for grins but I claim no ownership of the human skeleton (other than my own) which I so crudely copied myself.

It seems that a beer holder of some sort is often the result when I attempt to clean up all the scrap metal in the garage. The hand skeleton has been the one to result in the most comments so far though.

Thanks for the inspiration, is was a lot fun of making it. Somehow though, making one for money just took all that fun away.

[/IMG]

W650Mike · Apr 4, 2013

"...was a lot fun of making it. Somehow though, making one for money just took all that fun away."

It is easy to start thinking that making one is fun, making them ten at a time would be more efficient...and so on. I call this "letting your hobby become a job." I'll have to admit, some of the hobby-to-job projects were fairly profitable, but after a while I found that I had committed too many evenings and weekends working a second job rather than taking some time to have fun.

I've learned this lesson a number of times.

aka Larry · Apr 4, 2013

HOTFR8 said:
If I copy an idea here on the forum I usualy post some credit to the person I got the idea from.

This is my take as well. It's just respectful to thank the person who likely saved you both time and money by takign their time to post their ideas here. I think we all want to "share", afterall that's why we're on the board right?

I do hate when someone take's credit for another's idea knowing full well it wasn't theirs or not giving credit where credit was due. Case in point, Nikola Tesla. How many people either flat out stole his work or took credit for it without any respect for all his genius?

LEVE · Apr 4, 2013

I like the fact that the ideas can not only be copied... but evolved and improved upon. Then, the cycle continues. It's nice to have the very best for the very least cost in money, time and resources.

lilscorpion · Apr 5, 2013

PAToyota said:
I'd talk to someone before I went into full scale production of something, but using someone else's idea for myself and a few buddies isn't outside the line as far as I'm concerned. I'd expect the same of the ideas that I've posted up.

And I'm sure that there are overseas shops trolling this forum to see if there is anything that they can make 20 million copies of...

I, personally, don't care if someone takes one of my ideas and can make money off of it...even millions. When I build something for myself, I don't care how long it takes and in many cases, I spend more on the project than its probably worth. That's a difficult mentality to realize an ROI on. I build or make what I make because I can make it the way I want. That's why I started years ago. I couldn't buy what I wanted or what was available was cheap, poorly designed, or didn't have features I wanted. I learned that if I build it myself and I don't like it, I'm able to modify it or change it. As a result. my stuff ususally stays custom to my wants and needs and custom is hard to package and sell. Trust me, I've tried. That being said, if an idea is worth something to you or gives you reason to come up with a new idea, glad I could help and I need no credit. I know when and I had my epiphany, I don't need public validation that I had one. I do however appreciate when people give me feedback on ideas or things I do and I make sure to do the same for others. I think that's the community part of this site that keeps me checking in often - we share or would be here.

Larwyn · Apr 5, 2013

Looks good KMinAF. Thanks for posting the pics.

Proper etiquette for copying GJ ideas?

KMinAF

Well-known member

wornoutoldman

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gte718p

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PAToyota

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Stuey

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ilovevocs

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Alchymist

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koditten

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HOTFR8

Banned

Sureshot

ALLIANCE MEMBER

larry_g

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BD1

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Larwyn

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KMinAF

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W650Mike

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aka Larry

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LEVE

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lilscorpion

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Larwyn

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