As far as I am concerned, there is really no protection for the truly unique ideas and/or the physical product (bike parts come to mind) once they leave the head, and/or the drawing board of it's creator. This is true for most creative endeavors of the human race. For both the artistic endeavors as well as technical ones:

From an fashion article on graphic all out stealing:
"....Embellishments" = the whole thing
"inspired by" = stolen from
"styles of eras past" = a dress currently available..."
-http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/guess-knocks-off-target-dress-while-justin-bieber-copies-marc-jacobs-perfume-bottle-2487614/;_ylt=AsX10m4i64IJTjdJcZ3N4lhpbqU5

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