What's the community's thoughts on these two similar models?

MakerWorld
1

Hi folks,

I’d like to consult the wisdom of the community on a dilemma.

Not sure if some of you are aware of the A1 PTFE remover tool I release back in March 2024. As it appears, someone came up with the same idea and released it last November.

I ignored it for several weeks since I thought that I don’t hold the patent to the design so I let it pass. However, people have been messaging me reporting that someone copied my design.

He didn’t have any description on his model page like how he came up with the idea or how he designed it and I can’t tell for sure if his design was inspired by mine or not. Too hard to tell?

Initially I had the license set to remix allowed but thought of this very same thing happening so I changed to standard digital license (SDL). There was one remix before I changed the license the poster did set his as a remix so it’s ok.

This other one though has set his license to SDL, didn’t put any description how he came up with the design nor acknowledge that his is an improvement of my design.

Pls take a look and let me know your thoughts before I initiate a complaint to MW.

My design:

His design:

2

It’s hard to say whether it’s plagiarism or not. The idea is the same, but to be honest, I’d already thought of a solution to this problem myself, which in the end is very close visually to yours…

3

If they didn’t use any of your mesh or traced your geometry, it isn’t infringing on the license. Even if they knew about your design.

The design is also a logical result from the design problem, so I can see how they could have designed it without knowing your design.

So I don’t think you should report it, even if it was inspired by you.

4

I agree, it´s a different model - same idea, slightly different take. I think a takedown request would be denied, and i would agree with them. Happens all the time, I am just surprised there are not more of these.

Would not care too much about it, maintain your model - your helper looks like the more polished one.

5

It looks inspired by yours. It’s only very slightly different.

6

I would agree. Although I am now thinking of a single-piece print in place version with a flexible hinge… :thinking:

7

I see…

  • chamfers
  • a better guide
  • better measurements (if i can believe the stopper for the push button)
  • bigger press area on top
  • modelled support
  • better images
  • a manual
  • a description

I think it’s the better package.

edit:
not sure if print in place would make it better, but there is one available (ok i was fooled, only looked at the model - it looked like one ^^)

8

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I didn’t report as I share the same reasons as you all except that with people reaching out telling me someone copied my design and by allowing it would become a precedent and some designers would start taking advantage. This is not the first time I saw models being posted that I feel were inspired by my designs. Some more examples below:

My design:

The other design:

My design:

The other design:

As you can see, they just seem to “re-skin” my designs but the underlying idea, design and approach are the same and then they’re calling it their own. With this seem to becoming a norm, I felt that I should start doing something.