Copyright on sharpening jig?

[drillbit]

So I was in a shop which specialises in woodturning supplies at the weekend, and the bloke started trying to sell me a sharpening jig with a slide out arm and a rest for the handle. Eg. exactly like dozens of different brands which all work much the same, and also as suggested on several blogs and in forums etc.

So I said to the bloke 'thanks but I have made myself something similar after seeing it on the web' and he started getting a bit huffy and told me I was 'in breach of copyright'. I pointed out that I wasn't selling them, at which he initially started saying that didn't make any difference, but when he saw I wasn't exactly quaking in my boots, he let it drop.

So the question is - did he have a leg to stand on, or was he just trying to scare me into buying a 70 quid jig? (Didn't work if so). Surely, as long as I am not selling anything, I am entitled to make anything I want to for my own purposes, even if I get the idea from a copyrighted item?

 

[Jacob]

.... Surely, as long as I am not selling anything, I am entitled to make anything I want to for my own purposes, even if I get the idea from a copyrighted item?

Of course you can. Doing it commercially might be different.
Which jig was it? Maybe we all want to copy it!

 

[paultnl]

Copyright would only cover instructions on how to make the jig i.e. you shouldn't photocopy from books and magazines. To protect the device requires a patent where you have to prove that the idea is new.

 

[TheTiddles]

Hahaha, what a tool!

Copyright is, as has been said, applicable to written items, so he clearly is clueless.

Patents don't protect anything, they merely say you have the right to a certain set of claims in a certain area of technology for a certain length of time. The UK patent office isn't going to enforce that right for you, you need to go to court and convince them to take out an injunction to stop your adversary selling any more or recoup loss of earnings from said adversary, the patent is helpfull in doing this but doesn't carry any weight at all till you've enforced it. So if you've not sold any, that's going to be tricky for them!

The guy is clearly trying to bully you, care to name and shame?

Aidan

 

[bugbear]

So the question is - did he have a leg to stand on, or was he just trying to scare me into buying a 70 quid jig?

The latter.

BugBear

 

[woodpig]

Which jig was it? Maybe we all want to copy it!

Maybe this one, at the bottom?

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Grindin ... stems.html

 

[Jacob]

Which jig was it? Maybe we all want to copy it!

Maybe this one, at the bottom?

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Grindin ... stems.html

Neat set up. Basically just a batten with a stop for the tool handle end. A moveable stop (or moveable batten in their example) makes it adjustable for different length tools. Nothing to stop anybody copying it. I suspect many people have already tried out something similar for themselves.
But then it's not that difficult hand-held so why bother?

 

[AndyT]

The jig could have been protected by Design Right, but has been said, copyright applies only to literary and artistic works (incl films and software). Proper information is easily found at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/.

 

[drillbit]

Yeah that'll be the one. It was toolpost. Although Axminster sell one which is almost identical so they can't both have a copyright on the design. Anyway, I dont think I'll bother shopping there again, Axminster has a better selection, and staff who tell you that you don't need stuff you were about to waste money on! The guy at Toolpost also made sarcy comments when I decided not to buy his overpriced face visor (planning to turn with your eyes closed then) .. Bit of a short sighted approach for a shopkeeper.

 

[bugbear]

Although Axminster sell one which is almost identical so they can't both have a copyright on the design.

One could have the copyright, and the other could be licensing.

This is massively unlikely, and still wouldn't effect you making something similar in the privacy of your own workshop.

BugBear

 

[Tinbasher]

Sorry to be pedantic but don't you PATENT objects and machinery?

Isn't copyright for works of art ,music and literature?

In any case neither would prevent you coming up with the very same idea while musing over the problem in your workshop so long as you dont come up with the idea to print AXMINSTER in big letters on it: )

 

[Chris Eagles]

WOLVERINE SHARPENING SYSTEM.

Statement: I have no personal or commercial interest in any product or company mentioned in these Postings. My comments are based on several years experience of the Wolverine sharpening system.

The situation regarding patents has been comprehensively dealt with.

For many years I have used the Wolverine in my workshop and have introduced it to dozens of students in a teaching environment. I have found it to be well made, strong, functional and reliable, and, importantly, good value for money!

Several jigs are promoted along the lines “this is the only jig you will need to shape and sharpen all your woodturning tools” That is not my experience. Other jigs I have owned have short comings, are unreliable or unnecessarily difficult to use.

I understand how difficult it is to compare equipment without having units side by side, but I can assure any prospective purchaser of the Wolverine system that being the first of its type to be readily available in the UK, it is considerably better than cheaper look-alikes.

Made from steel that is heavier in section than its competitors, the jig is quick to set up, reliable in use and personally I have never come across any shaping or sharpening requirement it cannot cope with. It does not suffer from flexing or vibration and really is a tool for life.

“You get what you pay for” was never more true.