World Tour

Hi Gang,
If I build my own frame by copying, for example, a Bachetta Giro 20, is that in violation of any patent?

Thanks

Trsnrtr

Why? Unless you are marketing them, it's nobody's business.

World Tour

The reason I ask is because I asked the only frame builder I know, to build me one and he cited potential patent violations. How do I convince him it's not a violation of a patent?

bentcruiser

I do not know how you would patent a single beam going at some angle into the air. My guess is that the tear dropped shape of the tubing could be patented.

linux_author

- find another frame builder?

Trsnrtr

Now I understand why you asked. Your original post led me to believe that you were doing the work for yourself. Still, I don't know why a small builder would quibble over a single tube frame; sounds pretty generic to me.

Floyd

My 2-cent thoughts are the same. I have built several and the latest was a copy, I am not worried...and as Trsnrtr says I would think a builder could not be pushed around by building just one for you, or as many as he wants as long as he is not making them exactly like some ''store bought'' model.
i liked my Linear
now like it and my P-38
el padre

rcski

I was told if you change a product 30% they can't get you for patent enfringement. I was still bouncing you're question around in my head cause, I was thinking of building a few and selling them. I seen a company that has a prototype of one they might sell in the future. It was one of those deals where I GOT TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE. Well I built it as close to the picture that I could. I bought three bents in my life. a EZ 1 lite, a Rans Tailwind, and I now have a Rans Stratus. This bike blows all three away in handling, comfort, It seems quick It's just plain if'n nice. I'm thinking of building another one to sell. I figure there will be a 30% difference and if I don't go into mass production or sell them on line. no one will be the wiser.

Dr.Deltron

YEAH! As Nike is so known for saying...


JUST DO IT!!*



Deal with the legal mumbo when they find you. I don't think they could make you "unbuild" the ones that you create before that point. Probably just tell you to STOP doing it!

*copyright 2006 Nike corporation (had to put that, just in case )

cjs1948

The builder is correct. Since the builder would profit by making the copy, he is the one that is liable. You can copy what you want for yourself and are not liable unless you sell the product.

Chip

TErider

I cannot find where Bacchetta has any patent rights on any of there bikes. In any case, the builder is building for personal use, not for profit. The person hired to weld is not producing a bicycle, but simple fusing metal as requested by a customer.

BTW, Bacchetta produces there own custom teardrop main tubes themselves. It’s not likely anyone will be producing that tube in there back yards.

markw

How much is he going to charge you? What size of Bacchetta would you ride? You'd still need all the other bent parts, seat and steering. You can order a frame kit from Bacchetta if you have most the parts to complete the bike. Bacchetta isn't the first highracer nor will they be the last. They do however make one kick butt bike that doesn't look home made like most recumbents. By the time you gather the materials, fab brackets for the seat, fab the seat, etc. How much do you really save over buying a Giro, or a frame kit? $1500 for a new Giro 26 with disc brakes is a pretty good deal. I'm sure frame kits are less if you have your own crankset, fork, wheels, brakes and derailer.

Dr.Deltron

And don't forget if you build it yourself, you'll probably have to PAINT it yourself!

funbun

Dude, isn't that like copyrighting chord changes in a song? I don't see how they can patent a 2 inch tube with two wheels attached. If he doesn't want to build it, find some one who will. Dom at bentech made my frame:
https://www.bentechbikes.com/

Here's a picture of it:
https://photos1.blogger.com/hello/284...4/DSCF0065.jpg

He builds diamond frame bikes correct? How many companies could sue him for that? His thinking is flawed. Volae makes recumbents similar to Bacchetta, and they haven't been sued: https://www.volaerecumbents.com/. Bacchetta would be stupid to sue them anyway. They would just hurt the industry more than help it.

Crap Greenspeed's trike has been copied almost excatly by Scarab and Trimuter, but they haven't sued. Greenspeed sells plans to thier trike, even. Bent manufacturing is small; they don't have the money going around slapping law suits on everyone. They'd do better to spend thier time building better bikes.

funbun

Dan Miller, says if you can make a product 10% better or give 10% more value you'll have a great chance to make money in business. Dan is a career coach who helps people start thier own businesses: https://www.48days.com/

Think about Dominos Pizza. Is thier pizza better than Pizza Hutt? It's about the same to me. But they added the whole 30 minute delivery thing, and made millionaires across the country with just 10% added value to a common product.

funbun

My frame costed $340. I transfered components from my MTB. I bought the seat mounts and risers and stem. Even if you bought all new components you'd come out ahead. I think Bentech is a great value in the bent world.

slowandsteady

If someone profits from using someone else's patent it is illegal. Build it yourself, ride it and never sell it...you are fine. But if you have someone build it and sell it to you, they are in violation.

funbun

Does Bacchetta have a patent on the Giro 20? Does Volae have a patent on the Tour? I'm saying that certain things can't be patented like the english alphabet(copyright) or chord changes (another copyright) to a song. If you could patent ii-V-I you be the riches man on earth, well at least in the western world.

I'm wondering how could a company patent a pipe with bicycle wheels attached? I can understand a patent on the seat clamp or the stem and riser or brakes or some part of the bike they've design that no one has done before, but a patent on a steel pipe? Or a patent on the entire bicycle? cmon

World Tour

bentech's site said the tube-kits are not welded?

Man, the strada frame looks so easy to build. I could get a wire-feed welder for $469 at Lowe's but to weld once? My welder buddy just moved.

funbun

You looked at the wrong page. I got my frame welded:
https://www.bentechbikes.com/frames.htm

atombikes

There are two types of patents issued in the USA, design patents and utility patents. Most designs pertaining to bicycles are design patents, which pertain to the design, not the use of the end product. MOST bicycle-related patents are ornamental patents, which mean that the design or shape of the surface is different than others, but may be identical functionally.

fuerein

Actually with a patent, they have EXCLUSIVE right. If you copy it for yourself and make no profit, you are still infringing on the patent and they could technically sue you. The truth is it is unlikely they will sue someone for making a single copy that they never sell (more than anything because they will likely never even learn you have done it). However, it is still infringement of the patent rights.

lyeinyoureye

Am I correct in assuming they can only stop you, not collect royalties because you didn't make a profit off of it?

spiderbike

there is no way there is patent on a biclye frame...they have been around for hundreds of years and are not orginal ideas...just tell this jabroni to worry about building the bike and you'll worry about litigation...give me break

atombikes

Actually...there are MANY patents on bicycle frames. That is what I was trying to say in an earlier post; you can get an ornamental patent on just about any unique design. It is not a utility patent, which means that functionally it differs from other existing similar products in how it works and/or in the methods of construction. But an ornamental design patent does offer exclusive patent protection to the holder.