In article , Todd Pattist
writes:


And "unethical" is certainly debatable. We have a large set
of intellectual property laws that protect "writings" like
the plans (via copyright) and devices, like the aircraft
(via design patents and utility patents, etc.). In order to
use those laws, you need to meet certain criteria. To get a
patent, you need to show that your invention is sufficiently
different from what's already out there that it's worthy. If
the design cannot meet that criteria, or the designer
decides not to make the public disclosure required to obtain
a patent, and no other IP law applies, then the law protects
those who want to copy.

Copying of improvements advances civilization and is
praiseworthy. Patent laws are not there to prevent copying.
They are there to encourage improvements that advance
civilization by granting a limited monopoly in exchange for
disclosure of the improvement to the public and
authorization to use the improvement after the limited
period of protection.
Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
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