Design ‘Rights’ Advice

[Manrose]

Could anyone recommend either a naval architect or legal type person who can offer sound advice on the mind field that seems to surround the rights to produce a boat from an existing mould. I’m not talking splashes but more moulding from an original tool that has been sold on the open market but with no ‘official’ paperwork granting production rights. This would be paid work as the advise needs to be good. Thanks in advance.

[darexms]

Design right governs more the aesthetics of a design rather than function. If the original designer has gone to the trouble of registering the design (and that registration is valid), then you have legal issues in reproducing it regardless of whether you’re using the original tooling. In reality, validity and enforcement can be very difficult.

Trademark is considerably more enforceable though.

You should also consider any moral issues.