I just about fell out of my chair when I came across this information. Woodland Scenics is suing MTH over O scale structures.
Woodland Scenics claims MTH virtually copied some of their structures, the gas station, train station and others.
You can check the Broadway forum to read the charges.
A check of MTH catalogue certainly lends support to Woodland Scenics in my opinion.
They won,t get far. After all MTH invented them after seeing them.
You have to admit it, guys…really…it is just a little delicious…ain’t it? [:D]
Well, personally I hope Woodland Scenics “kicks MTH’s butt” just to let them know that they can’t run everything “their” way…
Mark
I wonder if MTH copied it themselves or if their manufacturer did it.
Enjoy
Paul
[:D][:D]
What goes around, comes around----
[(-D][(-D]
Another lawsuit. Sit back boys and enjoy the show.
Didn’t MTH just get finished with BLI about pretty much the same thing? Copying someone else’s designs?
I’m not a lawyer (I don’t even play one on T.V.) but it has always been my understanding that if the actual physical dimensions (i.e. scale) of a product are different than the original, even if the proportions are the same, that it is considered to be a completely different item - legally speaking.
However, I suspect it is not as simple (and commonsensical) as that. We are talking lawyers here!
Whatever happens. MTH’s lawyers will make a lot of money and Woodland Scenics lawyers will make alot of money.
And you and I? We will foot the bill!
Oh, well! Might as well enjoy the show…
Pass the popcorn!
-George
Whatever happens. MTH’s lawyers will make a lot of money and Woodland Scenics lawyers will make alot of money.
And you and I? We will foot the bill!
That’s the sad thing.
BUT!!! - Only if you buy MTH or Woodland Scenics products.
I am not suggesting anything so impolite as a boycott, but so far I have lived a long and complete life, model railroading and otherwise, without ever purchasing a product carrying either brand. Now I have one more good reason to continue that practice.
Incidentally, I believe that the legal principle here has something to do with design copyright - which is why GM, Ford etc. can insist on licensing the designs of their scale model copies - and why you will never see a commercial UPS truck model.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Maybe it’s time for each manufacturer to take turns suing MTH. Maybe they’ll get the message.
I smell a rat. I just have a bad feeling that MTH set this up to draw WS into a trap. Just guessing, but I would imagine that MTH is larger and can better afford a lengthy lawsuit. They can afford to litigate this forever, while WS might not be able to.
Say what you want about MTH. They ain’t stupid.
Hmmm—
Maybe MTH copied their versions of the WS structures because the WS structures looked good on either DC or DCC layouts, but didn’t look good with DCS? [:P]
Just a thought.[}:)]
Tom [(-D]
Make that just you, MTH is too pricey for me.
I don’t have a problem with lawsuits IF an individual or company knowingly did something wrong. But with MTH’s past, if their business philosophy is using lawsuits to RE-DISTRIBUTE WEALTH, then they are nothing but crooks. Sadly, I don’t think Woodland Scenics is going win this one.
[:-^]
Sez who Chuck ???
UPS
Walthers Part # 526-58008, p. 742 Walthers 2010 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $28.95, currently in stock at Walthers
This product is on-sale today for $24.98
A Package Delivery Truck for Your HO Streets
Johnboy out…for now
What about Woodland Scenics? If they don’t win, their lawyers still have to be paid![:-^]
-George
Ah their both wrong didn’t Al Gore really invent them after he was done inventing the internet?