[fso301]

Of course, there are. But the price of asserting them in a court of law -- that's the rub. Boeing, Lockheed, et al are lawyered-up and can pursue legal action in perpetuity. For their part, kit makers are looking at legal fees that would dwarf their profit margin.

The big companies have a risk that far exceeds any potential legal cost, that being, they have allowed their patents, trademarks and copyrights to be freely used for decades. In such circumstance, a company is at serious risk of losing such rights.

[okie01]

The big companies have a risk that far exceeds any potential legal cost, that being, they have allowed their patents, trademarks and copyrights to be freely used for decades. In such circumstance, a company is at serious risk of losing such rights.

I quite understand what you're saying. After a lifetime of involvement in packaged goods marketing, I'm well aware of trademark protection and its importance.

And, for that very reason, Boeing, et al will go to the mat -- if that's what it takes -- willfully engaging in a legal strategy of attrition, until they drive the last kit-maker out of business.

The biggest litigation budget will win the argument. Under those circumstances, the kit-makers really can't afford to "stand and fight".