Battle Over Model War Planes

cbs news ^ | 9/27/2005

[tophat9000]

Battle Over Model War Planes

RESTON, Va. , Sept. 27, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CBS) What's happening down in this suburban Washington basement could be a threat to the Military Industrial Complex.

CBS News correspondent Rich Schlesinger reports that the threat warning comes from defense companies that build the real planes and say thousands of model lovers, such as 14-year-old Matt Jackson, are freeloading off their hard work.

Matt's working on an EA-6B Prowler – a Navy jet. Schlesinger asks Matt if he thinks he's ripping off the Navy in his basement.

"That's what I'm trying to do, yeah," says Matt.

The defense giants do hold trademarks on planes like the F-15, F-16 and the B-17, and they say if a model company uses their planes to build replicas, it should pay royalties.

John Long, who owns a model company, says the defense contractors don't deserve a penny, because these airplanes were developed with tax dollars.

"It could be as high as 10 percent of the product cost," Long says. "Now why should I pass additional costs on to the taxpayer for this product when he's already paid the price?"

It's a nasty little battle that has reached Capitol Hill, where the model companies are pushing a law to defend themselves from the defense industry. And even though the money involved is pocket change in the deep-pocketed mega corporations — they still want it.

"Cash is king," Long says.

The aerospace companies are very camera shy when it comes to this issue. But in a written statement, they say this is not about money, it's about protecting trademark rights.

"No, I don't believe them," Matt says. "I think it's mostly to do with the money."

There are thousands of model enthusiasts who have a stake in this war over warplanes. As the battle lines have been drawn between two of this nation's favorite pastimes — making models — and making money.

[tophat9000]

This is lawyer stupidly run amuck... What interesting is where does it stop after all the plane manufacture does not make ever component on the plane so if you do a model F15 do you have to get a copywriter not just from the manufacture but also from the tire maker because you model plane has models of there tires and from the engine maker because you model shows model of the engines afterburner cans or the ejection seat maker etc

Model making is an artform like sculpting so if making a model is a copywriter violation of the image so is a photo or painting

[Renegade]

Last time I was at he Air Force Museum the admission was FREE ! This was built with tax dollars to show what our tax dollars were used for in the history of aviation warfare .Awesome place .Recommend it to everyone of all ages .

[Atlas Sneezed]

On the legal side, it all comes down to the contact. If our representatives want to let the manufacturer keep the trademark rights, or not, they can specify it.

Of course, those morons should realize that when little boys develop enthusiasm for military planes, they will tend to support higher defense procurements in the long run.

If I were them, I'd ask for a nominal royalty, and then donate it to the Boy Scouts. That way, I'd be sure that production was limited to domestic manufacturers of models. Make the Chinese imports pay through the nose.

[Atlas Sneezed]

so if you do a model F15 do you have to get a copywriter not just from the manufacture but also from the tire maker

---

It's about trademarks (e.g. "F-15") and not replicating the airplane. Of course, they need to explain how a trademark covering aircraft applies to the sale of children's models. Totally different classes of goods, and the use on different goods does not diminish the value of the trademark (it arguably increases it.)

[HolgerDansk]

Union Pacific recently started a similar campaign, requiring railroad model manufacturers to pay royalties or face lawsuits, for all of their acquired railroads, including the Southern Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Denver and Rio Grande, etc. The claim was that they had to do this, otherwise they lose the right to defend their trademarks.In contrast, Burlington Northern Santa Fe has not only declined to follow suit, but actively worked with Microsoft on their Train Simulator Product.

The result has not only been a black eye for UP, but a PR boost for BNSF. Moral of the story: don't always listen to counsel...

[Bommer]

The defense giants do hold trademarks on planes like the F-15, F-16 and the B-17, and they say if a model company uses their planes to build replicas, it should pay royalties.

Then why don't car manufacturers who are not supported by taxpayers like the defense industry demanding to do the same?

[JZoback]

Let's see

I'm going to start making mini nickel size hamburgers that taste like cardboard.

Think McDonald's will sue me???

[Nachoman]

Great thinking on the part of defense contractors. Model airplanes will be exclusively manufactured in Chinese knock-off shops and sold in flea markets around the country.

[Fee]

Defense giants are being jerks. Scale models are a free form of advertising of their companies capabilities. Interest in scale models of defense equipment increases the hobbyists interest to look up info on it. They learn the history, the capability and etc, and when they grow up they become an educated voter on defense matters. I know many servicemen who first became interested in military matters as a kid building scale models of tanks, planes and ships.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Then why don't car manufacturers who are not supported by taxpayers like the defense industry demanding to do the same?"

Because the auto manufacturers, being REAL capalists (instead of pseudo-capitalists "sucking the government tit"), understand that car and truck models are FREE ADVERTISING.

[R. Scott]

That way, I'd be sure that production was limited to domestic manufacturers of models. Make the Chinese imports pay through the nose.

Good idea – very few American model manufacturers left. Most of what I pick up are made in China, Korea or Japan.

[litehaus]

"This is lawyer stupidly run amuck.."

Repeat forever!

[taildragger]

This is scary.

Further proof the bean counters are running the show instead of what we use to call in aerospace: "aircrafters".

The dumb *ast@r&s are to stupid to know the next generation of aviation professionals usually start with static models and move to control and R/C, Ergo Burt Rutan.

They are destroying the next generation of folks they will need to hire......

[Leo Carpathian]

Is not copywrite, or copyleft, is copyRIGHT. I am series!

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Don Corleone]

Let's see

I'm going to start making mini nickel size hamburgers that taste like cardboard.

. Think McDonald's will sue me???

No...but White Castle might!

[6SJ7]

Union Pacific recently started a similar campaign, requiring railroad model manufacturers to pay royalties or face lawsuits...

Being a model railroader, I've read about this idiocy. You would think railroads would look at models as free advertising. I guess it's a case of an oversupply of lawyers and an undersupply of public relations.

[Tribune7]

John Long, who owns a model company, says the defense contractors don't deserve a penny, because these airplanes were developed with tax dollars.

True.

[Don Corleone]

MAZDA has started the same idiocy over their little roadster the MIATA claiming foul if you form a "MIATA" club or make "MIATA" pins or the like. Definetly the work of Harvard Business School graduates who have previously demonstrated their business acumen by running the US Airline industry into the ground. IDIOTS!

[Riley]

Last time I was at he Air Force Museum the admission was FREE ! This was built with tax dollars to show what our tax dollars were used for in the history of aviation warfare .Awesome place .Recommend it to everyone of all ages .

The one at Wright-Patterson? NOT to be missed, if you're anywhere near the place. It's one of the most amazing museums that I have ever been in. Be sure also to visit The Annex- on the other side of the field, where you can walk through every Air Force One except the current one, which is busy, of course. GREAT museum!