Knockoff Wheels-Who makes 'em?
11-19-01, 08:20 PM
#1
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Knockoff Wheels-Who makes 'em?
I've always wondered how different wheel companies can offer products that are exact copies of other designs without getting sued for infringement of copyright. There must be at least half a dozen copies of Lowenhart's designs, for example. Theories:
-There are really only a handful of manufacturers that actually make the product; they sell some under their own name, and wholesale the rest to other outfits who then rebadge and resell. This is true for tires and other auto parts-makes sense that wheel companies would do it too. The big guys get to move lots of product, and the smaller outfits save on capital investment for factories and manufacturing equipment. (Business 101)
-The manufacturers make some product and license others to make product and sell it as their own.
-Patents are not enforced?
Probably some combination of all these. Manaray, you're the expert-inquiring minds wanna know.
-There are really only a handful of manufacturers that actually make the product; they sell some under their own name, and wholesale the rest to other outfits who then rebadge and resell. This is true for tires and other auto parts-makes sense that wheel companies would do it too. The big guys get to move lots of product, and the smaller outfits save on capital investment for factories and manufacturing equipment. (Business 101)
-The manufacturers make some product and license others to make product and sell it as their own.
-Patents are not enforced?
Probably some combination of all these. Manaray, you're the expert-inquiring minds wanna know.
11-20-01, 12:29 PM
#2
Re: Knockoff Wheels-Who makes 'em?
Originally posted by lexcoupe94
I've always wondered how different wheel companies can offer products that are exact copies of other designs without getting sued for infringement of copyright. There must be at least half a dozen copies of Lowenhart's designs, for example. Theories:
-There are really only a handful of manufacturers that actually make the product; they sell some under their own name, and wholesale the rest to other outfits who then rebadge and resell. This is true for tires and other auto parts-makes sense that wheel companies would do it too. The big guys get to move lots of product, and the smaller outfits save on capital investment for factories and manufacturing equipment. (Business 101)
-The manufacturers make some product and license others to make product and sell it as their own.
-Patents are not enforced?
Probably some combination of all these. Manaray, you're the expert-inquiring minds wanna know.
I've always wondered how different wheel companies can offer products that are exact copies of other designs without getting sued for infringement of copyright. There must be at least half a dozen copies of Lowenhart's designs, for example. Theories:
-There are really only a handful of manufacturers that actually make the product; they sell some under their own name, and wholesale the rest to other outfits who then rebadge and resell. This is true for tires and other auto parts-makes sense that wheel companies would do it too. The big guys get to move lots of product, and the smaller outfits save on capital investment for factories and manufacturing equipment. (Business 101)
-The manufacturers make some product and license others to make product and sell it as their own.
-Patents are not enforced?
Probably some combination of all these. Manaray, you're the expert-inquiring minds wanna know.
who knows, I hope some of those companies get sued. Should be interesting. Konig will collapse the next day or so.
11-21-01, 04:30 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
There a FEW instances where "private labeling" or "re-labeling" happens. Most Dazz branded wheels are "re-labeled" Japanese wheels...
In Japan, there are a few manufactures who "private label" some wheels so that their customers can have a complete "brand-x" car (body kit and wheels usually)...
Much like Brabus, Carlsson, Lorinser, AC Schnitzer, Hartge, etc...most Euro tuners offer wheels and most people who mod their Euro cars stick with one brand...a Brabus body kit with Carlsson wheels would be...uh...wrong.
However, all American knock-off manufactures just copy the wheels...in most cases, they're of inferior quality and many times, they fake the funk even more by making a one piece wheel "look" like a "multi-piece" wheel (with fake rivets around the edge of the disk)...pretty WEAK!
I WISH brands like Konig, ADR, G-Racing, etc. all got their asses sued off...talk about "leech" companies...
In Japan, there are a few manufactures who "private label" some wheels so that their customers can have a complete "brand-x" car (body kit and wheels usually)...
Much like Brabus, Carlsson, Lorinser, AC Schnitzer, Hartge, etc...most Euro tuners offer wheels and most people who mod their Euro cars stick with one brand...a Brabus body kit with Carlsson wheels would be...uh...wrong.
However, all American knock-off manufactures just copy the wheels...in most cases, they're of inferior quality and many times, they fake the funk even more by making a one piece wheel "look" like a "multi-piece" wheel (with fake rivets around the edge of the disk)...pretty WEAK!
I WISH brands like Konig, ADR, G-Racing, etc. all got their asses sued off...talk about "leech" companies...
11-23-01, 10:04 PM
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In the U.S. there are certain things you can't patent. Rim designs are one of them. When a wheel company advertise they have patened their rims it's certainly not the design. Just like KFC can't sue you if you figure out their recipe and sell chickens as good as theirs.
But yeah, knock off companies are annoying.
But yeah, knock off companies are annoying.
11-27-01, 03:45 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
GS4fun - Well, if you look at the Mahdi Caesar wheel, you'll notice that it looks almost like the SSR Agle Minerva...not an exact knock-off (like what Konig does) but pretty close...if it were me, I would buy the SSR Agle Minervas instead...
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11-29-01, 10:50 PM
#9
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I do understand about knockoff rims (even knockoff bodykits)
Just know you have the geniune ones. I guess you don't need to brag to everyone, but as long as you know you did something the "right way," heh...screw the rest
PS: I plan to put kockoff 21" on my car....I wonder if that will be as expensive as REAL 19"...J/K!!
static911
Just know you have the geniune ones. I guess you don't need to brag to everyone, but as long as you know you did something the "right way," heh...screw the rest
PS: I plan to put kockoff 21" on my car....I wonder if that will be as expensive as REAL 19"...J/K!!
static911
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