What would you pay GENUINE MATS THREAD

[HairyScreech]

Without the logo you are safe, this is something I have a bit of knowledge on and a big thing in engineering in general.

there is no way you can patent something like a car mat due to prior art, same goes for something like a wheel or a bearing, this is how after-market parts exist and what the whole reverse engineering industry rides on.

The issue comes when you add logos, because although the part can still not be patented the logo is protected as a trade mark.

If you look at a lot of the ebay tat you will find they actually say things like ///power not ///M-power.

In the uk we do not have a "fair use" ruling or a personal use only clause in the law, In the US you could make yourself a copy of a Lamborghini and that is ok, In the UK you could actually be sued by the company for doing so even though you did it for yourself and no financial transaction was involved.

If you were to produce matt with just the circle/dots pattern on the heel pad then you are ok, that would just be an aftermarket part.
The second you put the bmw logo on your in trouble, combine that with a financial transaction (profit making or not) and your into the sale of counterfeit goods and copyright infringement.

This is the two simplest explantions of this I can give:
http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/prote ... _copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_deali ... ed_Kingdom

I only bring this up as you could really find yourself in the shit for the logo.

Even the zone has to have a disclaimer for using the BMW name and they haven't even touched the logo!:
The name BMW is owned by BMW AG of Munich, Germany, and by BMW (GB) Ltd in the UK. This site claims no affiliation with either of the above companies. This site is provided as an expandable library for owners and future owners of BMW E30 cars.

[ross_jsy]

I have contacted BMW Park Lane Classic
The classic guy is on holiday ATM but I will find out what the minimum order is to see whether we can get reproduced. Was thinking 100 orders from the Zone and we are doing E30 owners a favour.

Royalratch - I admire your dedication for getting a set of replica OEM floor mats reproduced. This is doing E30 owners a favour IMO.

Surely this is a global thing? The zone is only a small market share. Get some posts up on say bimmerforum and some of the other large american based forums and get enough people getting orders or registering interest.

Mods, why hasn't Ratch been banned? Some of the insults he is throwing around surely contravene zone rules, despite him getting a warning yesterday?

[Gert_8]

Without the logo you are safe, this is something I have a bit of knowledge on and a big thing in engineering in general.

there is no way you can patent something like a car mat due to prior art, same goes for something like a wheel or a bearing, this is how after-market parts exist and what the whole reverse engineering industry rides on.

The issue comes when you add logos, because although the part can still not be patented the logo is protected as a trade mark.

If you look at a lot of the ebay tat you will find they actually say things like ///power not ///M-power.

In the uk we do not have a "fair use" ruling or a personal use only clause in the law, In the US you could make yourself a copy of a Lamborghini and that is ok, In the UK you could actually be sued by the company for doing so even though you did it for yourself and no financial transaction was involved.

If you were to produce matt with just the circle/dots pattern on the heel pad then you are ok, that would just be an aftermarket part.
The second you put the bmw logo on your in trouble, combine that with a financial transaction (profit making or not) and your into the sale of counterfeit goods and copyright infringement.

This is the two simplest explantions of this I can give:
http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/prote ... _copyright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_deali ... ed_Kingdom

I only bring this up as you could really find yourself in the shit for the logo.

Even the zone has to have a disclaimer for using the BMW name and they haven't even touched the logo!:
The name BMW is owned by BMW AG of Munich, Germany, and by BMW (GB) Ltd in the UK. This site claims no affiliation with either of the above companies. This site is provided as an expandable library for owners and future owners of BMW E30 cars.

Don't waste your time - he already knows this. provide solutions not obstacles!

[BenHar]

that idiot Gert

Rein it in, your highness.

Ben

**** off fool. Who are you to suddenly tell anyone how to behave.

It was just a bit of advice, your majesty.

I didn't realise I had to ask before posting to your thread.

Please leave out the ad hominems.

Thanks
Ben

[pony]

I have contacted BMW Park Lane Classic
The classic guy is on holiday ATM but I will find out what the minimum order is to see whether we can get reproduced. Was thinking 100 orders from the Zone and we are doing E30 owners a favour.

Royalratch - I admire your dedication for getting a set of replica OEM floor mats reproduced. This is doing E30 owners a favour IMO.

Surely this is a global thing? The zone is only a small market share. Get some posts up on say bimmerforum and some of the other large american based forums and get enough people getting orders or registering interest.

Mods, why hasn't Ratch been banned? Some of the insults he is throwing around surely contravene zone rules, despite him getting a warning yesterday?

Most probably
However, want to find out the details first from BMW regarding minimum orders etc
LHD mats are available. They can provide basis for rear mats. Front mats shouldn't be that hard to produce. Just need enough orders for economies of scale and to be commercially viable for BMW
I think would be good for the community in general E30 owners to get NLA parts reproduced
Plus then also BMW know there is still a big interest and demand for BMW Classic parts and are less likely to make parts NLA

[Royalratch]

@Hairyscreech.

Whilst I appreciate your info and am aware of the issues faced in the UK where patents are 100% enforceable (unlike the far east - though more so these days) I don't see why this should be a serious issue. I will make up some replica heel pads for attachment to some mats. I will take on that risk. There wis no risk for anyone buying them, even though they buy at cost and there is zero profit.

The issue will be if BMW deems this project enough of a nuisance to pursue, in which case it would stop - I know for a fact that lots of corporations don't bother or just ignore counterfeit / brand violations as weirdly it can stimulate interest in their business.

Case in point, Adobe look the other way at vast amounts of software piracy amongst certain groups because it brings massive numbers into their software eco system. Ultimately, all those guys end up buying the software.


I digress.


If people are worried about breaking the law then the facts are before you - you should stay clear.

If you want to discuss dealing with BMW to trigger a new official production run - please start your own thread.

If you want to just post more crap, spam or other crap - please stay clear.

This thread is for people who are interested in the production of these mats, which is at the very least will yield quality accurate mats and at best with the heelpad.

[Royalratch]

A tolerated Zoner who brings a range of things to the zone. Each thread with healthy post counts and lots of good connections and trading made with zoners over a 10 year period. Again - **** off loser, you;re boring now and just spamming up my efforts again.

Seriously. You are not welcome. Stop being such a dick.

What have you contributed ? (In 8 years)

What have you?

Other than boring monotonous noise.

You never start threads.

You drive your dads car.

You mount roll cages backwards

And you stalk zoners.

Solid work Kos. Solid.

[Brianmoooore]

Thread locked until this evening when more mods. will be around to keep an eye on things. I can't spend the afternoon baby sitting you lot.

[E30_Zone_Team]

Further to all the above and the MATZ topic, the team have discussed the behaviour (or lack of it) of several members. As a result, the following actions will be taken:

1. Nobby is banned for a week for breach of Zone rules in his choice of language and trying to turn all topics into a "bummingfest".
2. Gert_8 is banned for a week for being a troll and trying to turn all topics into a "bummingfest".
3. Ross_jsy has a formal warning to cease being a troll and trying to turn all topics into a "bummingfest". Any further breaches will result in a ban for at least a week.
4. Ratch has a formal warning to stop reacting to trolling and using unacceptable responses to the trolls. Any further breaches will result in a lengthy/total ban.

The willingness of a group of members to try to turn topics into a "bummingfest" despite previous warnings of unacceptable language and sexual type references in the public arena has been discussed. ANY further such behaviour will result in lengthy or permanent bans. You all know who you are!

Also, the folk who regularly go out of their way to post disparaging/defamatory/flaming remarks about certain members on the forum are warned that you will be banned if this continues.

Please play nice folks. If you do not have anything good or useful to say, stay quiet!