That is why I like art. The copyright is cut and dried. You produced it, only you have the licence to reproduce it. Of course, folks may try to copy your style. That said, we have had instances where companies have reproduced our work commercially, and there are probably instances still happening, of which we are unaware, but usually the moment they receive an email telling them they have been found out, they stop and go and plagiarise someone else. They are just chancers who know that 99% of artists are not going to bother looking for retribution, and mostly small concerns who are barely surviving themselves.

There is no way one man shows or small enterprises can effectively police copyright infringements without dedicating more time and effort than it is worth. Life is just too short to be constantly watching one's own back.

The way I see it is there are two approaches to this, of course, assuming that our product is worthwhile... We survive, and perhaps prosper, through competition, or we prosper through collaboration. The only real question we should be asking ourselves is: which is more fun and fulfilling?

I would suggest that those who are willing to share, and who enjoy sharing, are going to have the worthwhile relationships, business and personal, and a combination of both. The folks who are hoarding their trade secrets, especially in areas relating to DIY, slowly isolate themselves through their own ill will and fear.

The society we live in today is one where, if you don't freely put yourself out there, with your heart on your sleeve even, you will live in obscurity. The risk in doing this is that the ideas you share will be available for all. It is no risk really, because the good will generated by generosity, and the willingness to share, without the inhibition of fear, is so beneficial, in so many ways, the greatest of which will be the quality of one's relationships and friendships.

This is easy for a hobbyist to say of course. I'm sure Maroske is just delighted that his name is synonymous with the DIY world's most ubiquitous deck fitting. Had he tried to patent it, instead of being revered as the demigod of deck fittings, he might be resented as a selfish spoilsport. There is always a bed and a boat available in my house should Maroske need it.

For someone who is dependant on their craft for income it may not be so easy. The drawings of skegs and skeg arrangements shared on this forum From time to time by professional kit and plan suppliers, who shall remain nameless, springs to mind. Some will buy the plan, some will copy the idea, and some will take the idea and run in their own direction with it. Yet the sharer is still willing to share. Include the skeg plan with the design drawings for the boat, and you make the boat plans that much more tempting to purchase.

I have a soft spot for CLC. I based the bottom of the hull on the Water-strider on their Westriver 180. Before I started I contacted them and asked if they wanted a second use royalty for the plans. They replied saying that all they wanted was a photo of the result. They could have had an extra $50, which I would have happily paid. Instead that small act of generosity got them many referrals down through the years, and a permanent link on my website. Also, if I had not been willing to give them their copyright due, I might have felt the need to build the Waterstrider in secret, and forgo the joy of sharing the project.

It takes a lifetime of being a certain way: being dependable, being straight, being sincere, being generous... for folks to feel comfortable and safe around a person, or a business. One act of meanness, or thoughtlessness, or a moment of cynicism, can sink it all, and those who are faking it get found out in the end.

Et