Senate OKs tougher hull-splashing law
12-04-2005 | 05:23 AM
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From: Sharkey-Images.com
Senate OKs tougher hull-splashing law
Issue Date: 11/22/2005, Posted On: 11/22/2005
Senate OKs tougher hull-splashing law
A bill designed to better prevent copying of original hull and deck designs has unanimously passed the Senate, and now is headed to the House.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association supports the legislation and singles out U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., for their work on it. The amendments to the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act make it clear that the law’s protection extends to both registered hull and deck designs in guarding against the copycatting technique known as hull splashing.
NMMA vice president of government relations Monita Fontaine called the amendments “common-sense legislation that will have a profound impact on the ability of manufacturers to protect their significant design investments.” Fontaine, in a statement, called the measure “a critical step to offer a greater level of protection against copyright infringement to boat manufacturers who register and protect their designs.”
Hull splashing is the process in which a company makes a mold from a vessel hull of another manufacturer, and then uses the mold to manufacture copies. Federal patent, copyright and trademark laws have proven “inadequate, too time-consuming, or too expensive to acquire,” according to the NMMA.
The Vessel Hull Protection Act was penned into law in 1998, but the language was unclear as to when a boat design was protected, according to the NMMA. Under the Senate’s amendment, a company no longer can evade copyright laws by using a competitor’s hull and making changes to the deck.
The bill now moves to the House, where it has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. NMMA says it will continue to lobby for the bill’s passage into law.
Senate OKs tougher hull-splashing law
A bill designed to better prevent copying of original hull and deck designs has unanimously passed the Senate, and now is headed to the House.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association supports the legislation and singles out U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., for their work on it. The amendments to the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act make it clear that the law’s protection extends to both registered hull and deck designs in guarding against the copycatting technique known as hull splashing.
NMMA vice president of government relations Monita Fontaine called the amendments “common-sense legislation that will have a profound impact on the ability of manufacturers to protect their significant design investments.” Fontaine, in a statement, called the measure “a critical step to offer a greater level of protection against copyright infringement to boat manufacturers who register and protect their designs.”
Hull splashing is the process in which a company makes a mold from a vessel hull of another manufacturer, and then uses the mold to manufacture copies. Federal patent, copyright and trademark laws have proven “inadequate, too time-consuming, or too expensive to acquire,” according to the NMMA.
The Vessel Hull Protection Act was penned into law in 1998, but the language was unclear as to when a boat design was protected, according to the NMMA. Under the Senate’s amendment, a company no longer can evade copyright laws by using a competitor’s hull and making changes to the deck.
The bill now moves to the House, where it has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. NMMA says it will continue to lobby for the bill’s passage into law.
12-04-2005 | 05:20 PM
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From: North and South
Re: Senate OKs tougher hull-splashing law
Thisn is because the Chinese are now targeting powerboats as their next industry. Copy DVDs, copy boat hulls, same deal. OF course, I doubt the U.S. will enforce the laws. Why? I dunno. Maybe we want a stronger military opponent? Wacko.
