Wheres the line between ripoff and ”inspired by”...and is any form of inspired by ok in the shaping world? Serious question, not trying to be a smart@$$.
I’m a huge stretch fan boy, with 4 currently in the quiver. But didn’t Bobby first ride the Mr Buzz like 6 or 7 years ago? If they’ve been tweaking it for that long, and the last year and a half Yadin and the rest of the team has also been tweaking it, I think we’re out of ripoff territory. To me ripoff is when Roberts dropped the White Diamond and everyone else had a replica in their line within 4 months.
I think this has been widely debated and since there are not any established rules or laws, me thinks its governed by the industry and mass consensus - which basically means nothing.
I remember in 2013 when Tomo called out Biolos and CI for copying the V4 design. Nothing came of it. Lost still released their "weekend warrior" design (horrible name) and I think CI still released a model as well. Nobody was reprimanded. Nobody was scolded. No sales lost. Effectively, the design was "borrowed" and sold without consequence.
I think that goes for anyone who's ever "borrowed" a design. The shapers might fuss and fight (online à la Tudor style or Lovelace style) but it appears that in the end -- nothing happens.
In terms of design progression it makes sense and I'm sure we all reap the benefits the most. But for the shaper that put in hours/days/weeks/months/years of design evolution for someone to just come along and "borrow" it - I'm sure its frustrating to say the least.