Actually you do have a responsibility. IF you believe it is an infringement, then you do have the responsibility to not buy. If you do not think it is, then you'll be okay.tungsten222 wrote:IMO there are three aspects to the matter:
1. "infringing intellectual property" (by buying a kite that is marketed as a remake of another kite): the question of intellectual property is NOT my responsibility. I have no possibility to verify if a kite sold to me infringes patents or designs. The best example for this are all those "legit" kite brands that sold kites infringing the Legainoux patents and were fined for it later. It's not my job as a customer to ensure other people's intellectual property. I have to respect it though, which means, if there's an obvious infringement (like buying a 5$ ROLEX), I am aware that I can be fined for buying it and the good can be taken away from me. But in the case of a kite, it's far from obvious if there's an infringement or not.
Do you really think that this is some big industry just following the money? I don't. I really do not think there is enough money in the sport for it. I don;t think we as customers have a responsibility for the brands per se, but I do think there is much more of reciprocity between customers and companies in this sport than you seem to indicate. This sport just doesn't have enough customers to be only money. Remember that these companies aren't some large conglomerate businesses. They are pretty small, and I'd say the core of each of the companies are probably less then 10 people.2. Supporting brands that built this sport: No. Would not want to buy a Wipika kite. Supporting brands that build that sport: Again no, because IMO it's not brands building that sport. Brands are businesses following solely their financial interest. I'm a buyer following my set of personal interests. No responsibility for the well being of brands from my side. IF I wanted to support the ones who built and build that sport, I would get in touch with the pioneers of this sport, and the current designers, and ask them if they need help for any project they are working on. That's persons, not entities.
..to me it would depend. If I thought it was a rip off, I would not buy it. I have bought kites from less known brands, with limited success. It was a funny kite...it would work okay until it got wet..the material would soak up water and the kite would be almost uncontrollable...funky stuff...3. Buying a kite from a company you don't know anything about ("no name"). That is taking a risk, up to you, if you think it's worth taking the risk go for it. But you always take a risk if you buy something new, wherever it comes from. Just look at all the dogs that have been sold by the big brands. Hellfish anyone? Best made the best out of this accident, but you can't count on that. They might as well have gone bankrupt and left the buyers with a pile of crap in their hands.
So, to conclude, I would have no moral problems to buy such kite. That does not mean I would buy it, personally I prefer buying from people I know.
Agree. I would even prefer buying a second hand "quality verified" kite than a noname not checked one.Toby wrote:what I have learned in life: once you want to save money, you will end up paying more. And this is in all areas you buy things. Nowadays I buy less things, but then of higher quality.
tautologies wrote:Do you really think that this is some big industry just following the money? I don't. I really do not think there is enough money in the sport for it. I don;t think we as customers have a responsibility for the brands per se, but I do think there is much more of reciprocity between customers and companies in this sport than you seem to indicate. This sport just doesn't have enough customers to be only money. Remember that these companies aren't some large conglomerate businesses. They are pretty small, and I'd say the core of each of the companies are probably less then 10 people.
Toby wrote:all kiting related business are in for the passion. I am sure there is none just started to make money! They have to make money to survive, but if just for the money, they would have been better of in the real estate or banking business (just make sure to get out it when it goes down )
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