03-01-2003, 08:57 AM
Hi there Kiyo and TubeDude,
It's interesting that most of the so-called innovations on float tubes have to do with with various snaps, brackets, docking schemes, and granted, also more importantly on manufacturing processes. You can have a whole line of different products and if one thing has a patent you can proudly display 'Patent Pending', etc. in your advertising! The first float tubes were sold without patent protection so that blows the general function/design claim. IT'S FUNCTION NOT DESIGN IN THE END........unlike trademarks and copyrights which deal with both phyiscal and conceptual properties.
Water Skeeter, Wood-Stream, Caddis, etc. all have patents on that other than in the overall exterior image/design.
JapanRon
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