SpiritR

ASK CHUCK he didnt get permission, I would have to say most the companies he copies they dont even know he is doing it.....

Wade

iTrader: (1)

It's okay to disagree.

Your examples don't parallel making a replica of a car part.

It is legal, as far as I know, to sell a product that is designed to look like or work like another product. For example, it is legal for Kroger to sell "Dr K", which tastes very similar to Dr Pepper. However, it isn't legal for Kroger to dissect the components of Dr Pepper, and then create and sell an exact duplicate.

Another example. It is perfectly legal for a record company to sell CDs of a band that sounds JUST LIKE another band. There is nothing wrong with that, as the company can prove these guys are actually the ones performing the songs. However, it IS illegal for the company to just make copies of another band's CD, and sell it as their own. Likewise, it is illegal (and commonly known) for someone to sell CDR copies of copyrighted music.

That's the distinction. Knockoff car parts, like Rotary Extreme's, are exact copies. Well, they may not be EXACTLY the same, but they are basically molded right from the original part, he doesn't even try to hide this. He seems to think that making a small change to the part make it okay. This is not true. For his hoods to be legal, he needs to design the originals from scratch. But it is MUCH easier, cheaper, more profitable, etc. for him to just knock off someone else's design.

This is illegal. The reason he hasn't gotten in legal trouble for it so far is because most of the companies he steals from are overseas and probably don't even know about it, or it is too difficult to prosecute someone across the world. I think he knows this, since his copies of american made parts may be very similar to another part, but they appear to be crafted from scratch (which is, of course, legal). If he made an exact duplicate of the M2 intake, as he has with foreign parts, I'm pretty sure M2 would file a lawsuit. If Chuck were making millions from his replica body parts, some of the foreign companies might even get involved.

The legalities are absolutely clear. Our ethics aren't. I know if I wanted a hood I would buy a knockoff. My integrity isn't perfect either, and I'd rather save $1000 than know that I did "the right thing".

Quote:

I agree that if the difference of the replica is within 10% of the original, it's pointless to purchase a replica just to save a few bucks. However, many replica prices are WELL below 10% of the original so it's hard not to go that direction. Plus, a lot of originals need to get shipped from Japan and I know one member who had a chip taken out of his side skirts so US Customs could verify it wasn't made out of cocaine or some other illegal drug.

Unforunately, the body parts I would like to add to my car don't have replicas... DOH!

An argument I sometimes see here in favor of replicas is about the cost to import parts. E.g., it is simply easier and cheaper to make a replica than import the originals. This is true to a degree. It is also true that if there weren't replicas being made, someone would be making that extra $1000 for the hood just for importing it.

It is arguable though, that if someone wasn't selling replicas for a fraction of the cost of the original, then someone could make a real business of importing the parts. A scoot hood might not cost $2300, but it might be much closer to Chuck's price. But the incentive to bring imported parts here for a good price is gone once someone makes cheap knockoffs.

Wade

jdhuegel1

I'd think as long as he states it's a replica, he's safe.

But I dunno...

I'll be damned if I'd spend twice the money for an origional set of FEED sideskirts when they can be copied for half the price...

It's the reason replicas exsist. If those companies would come down a few pegs on the price... Replicas wouldn't be so popular.



**OOPS! Wade beat me to the punch... **

blown

You mean copied for at least 3/4 of the original's price

RonKMiller

This is a pretty good discussion, with some valid points made on both sides.

I guess somewhere down the road I will sell my FD3S, although I can't imagine why since I've been happy with it for ten years.

I think adding stuff to your car is lots of fun - and I don't care how goofy it looks. It's classic hot rodding - and it's been going on since man invented the wheel.

I do think some owners are a little short sighted by making cosmetic mods that are not easily reversible to OEM.

You could take two examples of a 60's muscle car - let's say a hemi 'Cuda - a very rare bird indeed. One is lacking 25 "insignificant" parts, from bolts to small trim pieces to the original AM/FM radio. The other is complete in every detail. They both look great. Both owners love them to death and have equal amounts of fun driving them.

But when it comes time to sell, the "correct" owner is going to have a lot more pesos to spend on his next dream. The difference in price is staggering.

Save ALL your OEM parts fellas......the first gen guys are having NO fun finding NOS stuff right now.

93redFD

so what if they dont, who the hell cares??? All that matters is he's making money.

Feed, c-west,RE, r-magic ect ect, there all over priced. They do the same thing chuck does but triple the ******* price. Its all about what you can afford. Do you think poeple look forward to buying replica's( I hope not)? I would much rather buy the original than a replica but I cant afford one(even if I could, I wouldnt pay 2k for fiberglass)
Also dont hate on somebody for there parts(hayes rotary is a exception) Dont hate on chuck for making money doing something he likes to do. Sorry if I affended anybody..

SpiritR

RE-Amemiya diffuser PRO FRP for example ORIGINAL

Rotary Extreme----$750 plus shipping
JT-Imports----$620.95 shipped
RX7 Store----$550 plus shipping (didnt bother to say that is in fact FAKE)

FAKE ONES NOW
RX7 Stores is FAKE---$550 plus shipping
Rotary Extreme-------$559 plus shipping

Ok Now that I did the price check you can figure it out...

I dont care if Chuck sells fake *****, he isnt the only one. there are several companies that do. Someone asked and I answered.

The only thing I dont like is these people make EXACT copies, make the originals on their page look more expensive by jacking up the price (sales tactic) then advertise their FAKE one by being SOOOOO much cheaper because its only pennies to make the FAKE one when in fact the real one was only around $20 buck more expensive....

I think its black and white...

Rotary Extreme has a decent name, so some people dont mind having that name on their car. I dont like the way he has made his name so those products will never make it on my car.

Cheap, Fake, is GOOD! I happy for you..... Thats great, just dont cheat people out of their money by saying its better and such when no comparing EVER took place...

SpiritR

OH also Im not picking on the above companies. I checked around 12 aero parts places and these are the only ones I could find with the real or fake Diffusers

93redFD

ok I see what your talking about how they didnt mention that it was a replica(rx7 store). How do you know its a replica?

93redFD

anybody know if the cwest n1 front bumper from www.sportcarmotion.com is fake?? its listed somewhere around 780 with combo lights.

jdhuegel1

Well, whatever. Still saves me money.

SpiritR

I just assumed since it costs more then that on RE-Amemiyas own webpage.

ALSO since

Rotary Extreme
and RX7 Store are buddies

ALSO their prices on the diffuser for the fake one on the Rotary Extreme is $550. and the one on RX7 Store is the exact same price of $550. so I just guessed..

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Interesting that you picked that product to do a price comparison on....

How about using something like the Scoot hood?

JT-Imports (original I assume): 1750.00
Rotary Extreme replica (RX-7 Store: 1,150.00

Mazdaspeed Hood usually retails around $1700. Most replicas are around $700-1000 (depending on FG or CF).


The smaller items like side skirts and diffusers usually don't offer much if any price difference. The only advantage to a replica over the original for those items would be the shipping duration (as opposed to waiting for overseas shipments and customs hassles).

However the larger items such as hoods, front bumpers, spoilers, fenders etc, are where the price differences are MUCH larger.

SpiritR

Shipping is included in the JT price im pretty sure, but not in the Rotary Extreme Scoot hood though right? Granted I know its not $600 hehe, but its money

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

in regards to making an EXACT copy of the authentic body kits, if im not mistaken, a lot of the japanese front bumpers require modifying or even replacing the front re-bars...cuz they're jspec parts

and im almost sure that replicas like rotaryextremes are us-spec, ie will fit rite onto your stock bumper supports... (maybe some slight shaving necessary) but it's pretty much plug 'n play

am i rite? and wouldn't that qualify as makin ur own product (on a technicality lol)...cuz they ARE modifying an existing product..it's not all just mold and copy...

Louis M

the only reason why i'm pro-replica is because i don't want to spend 1k or more for a front bumper that a little speed bump will destroy... id rather pay a third of that and have a little less to loose over a little thing

rjuge

Personally....

original parts aren't that great. I've got all original (had logos in the fg before we painted them).. i assume they are real.

anyway, out of an apexi front bumper, knightsports side skirts, and veilside rear skirts, the veilside parts were the only ones that fit worth a ****..

everything else had to be cut/streched/etc. to fit....

just my .02

rotaryrevolution

i personaly wouldnt get a replica kit just because of past expirences with my car, theres a good reason you pay what you do for the real thing it all comes down to quality not what others think

SpiritR

People making money off other peoples Ideas is WRONG

If they change it a little and call it their own is still WRONG, but at least I wouldnt call them a theive(spelling tired haha)