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New Yacht Design or a Copy?

Discussion in 'Yacht Designers Discussion' started by AMG, Jul 24, 2006.

?

Design or Copy?

  1. Yes, it's a copy.

    49 vote(s)
    89.1%
  2. No, it's not a copy.

    6 vote(s)
    10.9%
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  1. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    As most designers I am inspired from what I see in other designs. It may be a mast, a window or a stern that I can transform to fit with my own designs. We all know this and we all do this, often without even thinking of it. It is part of the evolution of design that is always present.

    I have also seen some elements from my own designs repeated by others and have found it more flattering than disturbing.

    But when I now found a design that almost entirely looks like my Bling project, I got a little confused. It is shorter and with one deck less, but I wonder what my client would say if this Australian yacht will be built?

    What do you say, is this a design of it´s own or a copy of mine?

    /Lars

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    Last edited: Jul 24, 2006
  2. brunick

    brunick Senior Member

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    hm..
    i really see what you mean and i agree to your opinion, its almost a copy.
    but i don't think they would copy a hole ship...
    i think they took a lot of parts from your design and integrated it into their design.
    there's almost no difference between the designs, why i would ask the producer or designer of the other yacht, if they copied some parts!

    the three windows on the side look a lot like "Bling"!

    also the stern is a lot like yours.

    jannick
  3. tartanski

    tartanski Member

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    Copy

    Yes a definite copy,

    the design elements them selves are fairly generic but the way they are all combined is definitely not original.

    Specifically The 3 Windows on the lower deck the , One large side window one deck above, and the fore and aft windows on that same deck are identical.

    I really hope this was a one in a million chance that they are the same, and not a real copy.

    I have fallen victim to that, as I have once drawn out a sketch only to see somthing very similar hit the water months later, perhaps I had seen it in some magazine/forum but just not counsciously.

    Originallity is key to me, that how we develop and move forwards.
  4. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    The curved top of the sun deck, the window number and arrangement and the rake of the stern look very similar to your design. So much so I would say it's not an accidental or incidence.
  5. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    I agree, but it is hard to believe. The red lines are telling us that the center part is the same and the ellipse on the top roof is showing where this semi-open/semi-glassed roof also seems to be an exact copy.

    Together with all the other lines it can not be a coincidence...:rolleyes:

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  6. OutMyWindow

    OutMyWindow Senior Member

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    There seems to be familiar features like in any modern design, but I don't think one would mistaken one for the other sailing on the horizon.
    Most of the modern and futuristic designs seem to follow a trend that comes from the same school of thought. With radical exceptions like: Crystal Ball, Sigma, Sultan to name a few.
    If you look at past designs in mega yacht construction, Feadship, CRN, Amels or Trinity/Oceanco and a few others, would also seem to follow an identical theme, yet they are all different. There is definitely a fine line of distinction there.
    - By the way AMG, if you find yourself with a bit of spare time, it sure would be nice to see my amateur photo-shop creation come to life through the skilled eye of a pro ???
    http://community.webshots.com/photo/316448265/1475820021040348811TTPquh#
  7. KCook

    KCook Senior Member

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    FWIW, I agree with what tartanski posted. It is a copy.

    Kelly Cook
  8. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    To check this, I put both designs towards the same background and the similarities are then even more obvious to me. But in a port you will see the difference, both in size and finish...;)

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  9. Mov-it!

    Mov-it! New Member

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    Lars,

    I sense some serious copyright violations.
    If I was you I would call my lawyer to consult this matter.
  10. Arniev

    Arniev Senior Member

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    Hi, Lars.

    IMHO ...
    Looks like they took your design, removed a deck, shortened it and made some "alterations" so that the result will not look too similar with Bling.

    You should have a -serious talk- with the other designer.
    There are just too many similarities between "Bling" and the Australian design.

    Of course, imitation is the best form of flattery!

    Be cool ...
    Arnie
    :)
  11. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    Its surely very very close to you design Lars, and i also find it disturbing that people could do it so boldly. A design that looked unique enough and then see that the design was copied with very 'few' alterations. The vertical red lines show it all.
  12. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Yes it is very close and I doubt there is an independent designer giving up his reputation. It is rather some inhouse people working on orders from their boss, but I will soon have all the answers...;)

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  13. wdrzal

    wdrzal Senior Member

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    I read this whole thread and noticed no dates of either design were mentioned. Can anyone fill us in?

    I did notice tha Bling has a Sat dish cover and the other yacht does not?

    But the windows do match rather well !

    The question is which designer got their design registered and received a copyright. Oh ya (First ;) )
  14. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Copyright on designs are generally not registered, unless you have invented Sliced Bread ;) but publication can be an important factor when you later want to claim your rights.

    My design was made as a proposal for SETE, the Latsis company in 1997 and later published in the "The Superyachts 1999", a well known book in our biz.

    About two years ago the enlarged "Double Bling" was presented at YachtForums and by the way, I am still waiting for the first copy of the transparent Satdome...:cool:

    Anyway, I doubt this shipyard will claim a "first" on this design....

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  15. Arniev

    Arniev Senior Member

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    If the Australian yard did their design as a mere "study", then so be it.
    But if they intend to -actually build- the vessel, they might as well use "BLING".
    Not only for the "intellectual rights" issue, but also because it's a MATTER OF GOOD TASTE!
    :)
  16. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    This is quoted from their Press Release;

    "Using its specialist composite techniques and having started construction already, Sensation Australia will, for its first vessel, produce the world’s largest resin infused luxury composite motor yacht. At 71 meters long (234 feet), with elegant and balanced lines and a top speed of 18 knots, this composite vessel, the largest of its kind ever to be built, will be capable of motoring her 12 guests from Sydney to Los Angeles non-stop and will be the show piece of the Australasian superyacht industry."

    If this is what is going on already, it will soon be pretty bad publicity for the Australasian superyacht industry I guess...
  17. Arniev

    Arniev Senior Member

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    So much for intellectual property rights! :mad:

    I can just hear "their" lawyer's arguments:

    The owner who commissioned the Australian yacht saw your design, with Bling's details sticking in his mind "subconsciously". So when the owner discussed the design with the yard's naval architect, he "interpreted" some of Bling's design as "his own idea", which was then incorporated into the actual design.

    Sounds like one of those courtroom dramas you see on tv.

    :)
  18. orion

    orion Senior Member

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    Its a copy, no doubt! Nice try but
    the original is still outstanding:cool:
  19. Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    It’s a blatant copy, that is pretty obvious!!! The only difference between these two drawings is the length, because the height of the deckhouses must be taller on Sensation’s copy. Bling is 350-400 feet long, whereas the Sensation copy is 234 feet in length.

    I remember Carl mentioning that the all the guys from Sensation follow YachtForums. Do you think they would gamble on building the world’s largest resin infused mold (BIG $$$) on a design that has never received any consumer feedback?

    Here is the quote from Sensation’s press release on their 71-meter copy… http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/sensation-yacht/5375-sensation-news.html

    It is well known that BLING is everyone’s favorite design on YachtForums.

    This whole scenario shouldn’t be a surprise. Sensation was in bankruptcy last year and they couldn’t even finish Maratani-X. It had to be finished by the owner at Broward’s yard.

    This is a disgrace! Lars, I suggest you hire an attorney and go after these thieves. And to anyone considering buying a yacht from Sensation, BE WARNED! This is a company that engages in unscrupulous business practices.

    Carl, you should remove Sensation’s forum from YF and never give them any exposure again. Or better yet, let’s keep a copy of this thread in Sensation’s forum.

    Shame on you Sensation!!! You could have at least made some attempt to hide the fact that you're copying someone else's work. :rolleyes:
  20. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Wow, 10-1 in my favor so far, thanks all!

    I guess this will never reach a court. Should this shipyard proceed, many of the worlds leading suppliers engaged in the Bling project will probably put them on the black list.

    But first I will contact Sensation and ask how it could happen at all...!?

    /Lars
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