The question was rather: "Why aren't there legal and cheaper Brompton-like folders in the West — where, unlike Asia, just selling a copycat will land you in court and possibly in jail?"

The answer was: The market is too small to justify designing a frame that would be different enough to pass legal muster.

Too bad, because a lot of people could use a Brompton-like compact folder for the 2-3km they have beetwen their home/office and the nearest station but can't/aren't willing to spend the money required to buy a Brompton.

https://www.farrer.co.uk/news-and-in...-not-over-yet/