All~

So I have been stewing over something that I think would be worth while to discuss within this community. Being that the vast majority of you have more boat building experience than i, I am sure you all may have run into a similar issue.

So I am designing a bulkhead system for my boat. A personal non-commercial build of a whitewater boat I have designed entirely by myself. Now, in most steep creeking whitewater boats, there is a fairly full size adjustable (in depth) bulkhead system, as opposed to the smaller little foot tabs commonly used in sea kayaks. A lot of these have two bolts on the wall with these brackets attached to them and all... That doesn't matter as much, because I hate those.

What i LOVE, is this bulkhead system used in Jackson Kayaks creek boats. Its one of the simpliest designs that I've ever seen, and it lends itself extremely well to being able to build yourself. I'll post a link at the bottom if you are interested in the specifics of it.

Now, I have emailed Jackson Kayaks asking them if I can have there blessing to use the idea on a home built boat. I have heard nothing in return... Now, they may have a copyright on the name of the bulkhead system, and the exact design of it, but would I be infringing on a copyright or patent for using the idea of a bulkhead attached to a rope going to a jam cleat...? I mean, it seems kinda silly that I should even be concerned about "stealing" such a simple idea, but I acknowledge that I got the idea from them, that it is a good idea, and that I didn't come up with it out of thin air. However, I will have to design the entire thing myself, and will be definitely using different materials.

Is this something I should be concerned about...? I have always looked at solutions as ownerless. An idea is a solution to a problem, and I can't own that solution anymore than I can own 3 + 4 = 7. Does my logic seem legally sound?

~Johnathan