I see things like this in many consumer products every day. Those products come to the US on container ships from China and I don't think the average person gives it a 2nd thought as long as they are saving some money.
Need Honest opinions on a club concept
On top of that, most golf equipment looks the same to the average consumer. I've never heard a person say "so and so did that first and then these guys just copied it!" about a golf club.
I know more about equipment than the average golfer and I don't recall ever thinking it, and even if I did think it was a copy, I wouldn't care.
How similar ? Tread carefully....
There is the legal matter and there is the ethical questions.
Of course you'll have to weight out the situation before making decisions.
I'll give you an example. Window OS was expanded and marketed not by it's inventor but by people whom explore the potential. Some said there is no new idea on Earth, it depend on what you could do with the idea.
With the particular situation, there is not a definitive right or wrong.
In your case, if there is no patent on what you're working on, then perhaps there is no perceived value in itself by the others.
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Different design, but same concept, eh?
You mean like the PING adapter vs, the Cobra adapter?
Like all the adapters that all golf companies use in their clubs?
You mean like the weight screws that every golf company started using, at the same time, but the heads look different?
You mean like a Ford vs. a Chevy?
You ever count how many different companies used the soleplate, like the one on the Integra 450 Sooolong driver head? And yet, most of us bought them from the different companies.
Get on with it, get it to market ASAP. We need more components, as long as they are approved.
I appreciate the feedback so far, thanks!
Copy would not be an issue, as long as your version is a genuine improvement over the original. Most people only find copies offensive if the copy performs poorly or no better than the original.
If there's no patent, I wouldn't be concerned. Look at the SLDR -- TM made a big deal about the sliding weights, but Mizuno had done them years before, and I'm sure somebody else had tried the concept before that. If your legal guys say it's OK -- do it.
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Mike Tait.....is needed in this conversation. Could be the first substantial discussion of GB!
Or, the first verbal riot, laced with profanities, accusations, dislike, bannings etc.!!
It's tough to say without knowing what we're actually talking about, but I'd say it won't matter. Does anybody really remember who did moveable weights first? How about adjustable face angles? I believe it was Nickent, look how that worked out for them. If it works people will buy it.
Follows in design as in a design being improved on is one issue. All do such. Do not most 460cc , black driver heads look alike?
Try to copy trade dressings like name (Big Brother vs Big Bertha), color scheme (blue and gold shaft painted to look like another), etc. is a knockoff.
Yea, I have no idea who did sliding weights first. I would have guessed TM, but I always remembered what Mike Tait said about there not being enough weight to move to make a difference anyway, I am pretty sure Nickent had the first adjustable face angle drivers, though. I had one years ago.
"Friend on the site..."
Sinister Golf, Riverside, CA.
Might that friend be a fellow Californian whose last name begins with an A ? 
rob
Rob, as soon as I saw this post I also thought it might be Mr A as well. Although he usually comes right out and asks himself and not through a second source.
Personally I don't care if an existing concept is used a basis for an improved product. I get turned off when companies spew marketing bullshit about how they invented it and how much better/longer/straighter it is going to be, As one end-user, for me it would be refreshing to see some genuine honesty in marketing. Go for it.
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Gus, Mr.A did post though.
To be clear we are talking about the "friend", not TGF.
Steve has a lot of friends in the industry.
Trust all is well w/you.
rob