Finally some support in this industry!! NO MORE KNOCKOFFS!

[VIPete]

For those who don't know... the industry has just took a turn for the better:

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=55166

We at Vertex USA are please to read such great news :)

[RobSoVip]

For those who don't know... the industry has just took a turn for the better:

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=55166

We at Vertex USA are please to read such great news* :)


Sounds great in theory, lets see how it is applied in the real world.

[clearstar society]

For those who don't know... the industry has just took a turn for the better:

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=55166

We at Vertex USA are please to read such great news :)


This is great news !!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing 8)

[shoez]

Fantastic! Looks like "Andy's Autosport" won't be selling any Wald kits for Pontiac Grand Am's in the future :2funny:

[VIPete]

Sounds great in theory, lets see how it is applied in the real world.



That, we are waiting to see. If anything, it'll be a slow transition.

BUT, it's better than nothing. Who knows what the future will hold. But reading this news has shed new light on everything.

If it is executed well, the better it will be for all of us.

[Xotic sC]

I saw GTP as a SEMA member, aren't they also a knock-off company? How does this work... :idiot2:

[clearstar society]

Shine Motorsports is going to have a hard time selling their Junction kits :police: ;)

[J Stuff]

^ :2funny:

[V8_Aristo]

Fantastic! Looks like* "Andy's Autosport" won't be selling any Wald kits for Pontiac Grand Am's in the future :2funny:


We all wish this could happen, but the truth of the matter is there will be not enough man power to investigate all matter concerning this new law. Copyright law states that in order for someone to make a conterfeit or "exact" copy it has to be 85% accurate in the whole design. This means a company that will be making a Wald design on a Grand Am is legal, since the top half of the design will be totally different to fit the Grand Am.

[KumaXL]

Yes. The fact of the matter is that in this country there will always be "loopholes". But as far as some of the compaines that truly make a good and decent product, however it may be a "knockoff" it doesnt really mean that it a bad product right? Shine is a comapny I have personally delt with, they are good guys and churn out a good product, I for one am waiting to see their interpratation of the JP kits.

[mdenoga]

great news. might have been one of first 'smartest' thing our nation's leader has done so far. :P

[Xotic sC]

I for one am waiting to see their interpratation of the JP kits.


:knuppel2:

[VIPete]

Yes.* The fact of the matter is that in this country there will always be "loopholes".* But as far as some of the compaines that truly make a good and decent product, however it may be a "knockoff"* it doesnt really mean that it a bad product right?* Shine is a comapny I have personally delt with, they are good guys and churn out a good product, I for one am waiting to see their interpratation of the JP kits.


It's funny how this type of thinking is universal no matter what genre of the industry you're in. I would assume VIPstyle cars would be on a higher level of prestige when it comes to products on their cars. IMO, no matter if it's a "good knock off" or not-- if you have a knock off of anything that brings down the value of your car.

Other than stance, it makes the difference between a nicely styled car and a peice of crap. :)

[CleanS14]

Why would anyone buy knockoff's anyway... oh shoot... have I done that HAHAHAHAHA :2funny:

[KumaXL]

It's funny how this type of thinking is universal no matter what genre of the industry you're in. I would assume VIPstyle cars would be on a higher level of prestige when it comes to products on their cars. IMO, no matter if it's a "good knock off" or not-- if you have a knock off of anything that brings down the value of your car.

Other than stance, it makes the difference between a nicely styled car and a peice of crap.* :)



Well yes a reply like this one would be expected from someone who relys on the selling of brand name kits to put food on their table.* But for those of us who certainly would like to spend outrageous amounts of money on a car, a good reproduction can be the same.* I have seen kits from many Japanese compaines that don't fit nor look any better than ther so called "knock off" counter parts here in the US or wherever.* So to say something that someone has put their hard earned money sweat, and time into a peice of crap, well thats just insulting and rather rude.* Sure I wish I could baller it up with the best of them, but I can't so in some ways yeah, Im guilty of faking the funk but who cares to each his own.*

[username]

vipete, i seen you at mira mesa near manila-tokyo parking lot slangging them knock-off junction produce & fabulous accessories in back of your vip q45!

[VIPete]

vipete, i seen you at mira mesa near manila-tokyo parking lot slangging them knock-off junction produce & fabulous accessories in back of your vip q45!



Howdy My name is Andrew... HAHA!!! very funny.



Well yes a reply like this one would be expected from someone who relys on the selling of brand name kits to put food on their table.* But for those of us who certainly would like to spend outrageous amounts of money on a car, a good reproduction can be the same.* I have seen kits from many Japanese compaines that don't fit nor look any better than ther so called "knock off" counter parts here in the US or wherever.* So to say something that someone has put their hard earned money sweat, and time into a peice of crap, well thats just insulting and rather rude.* Sure I wish I could baller it up with the best of them, but I can't so in some ways yeah, Im guilty of faking the funk but who cares to each his own.*



Kuma..
If you took offense to what I said, I apologize. I didn't mean it to be misinterpreted. I was merely trying to backup the focus of all of us as manufacturers and distributors and how the consumer who buys knockoff products will inherently hurt this industry more than he/she is hurting their wallet.

The argument between why you shouldn't buy knockoffs has been dragged into the gutter so I won't go into further unless requested. As a consumer I see your point, but just know there is a big difference between copied products and the original. With this Law that has passed hopefully it’ll open more eyes. The old adage of “you get what you pay for holds true”. Granted I know there are some authentic companies who have crap product (this is standard in all industries) but for the most part, a majority of the companies offering aftermarket parts in this industry is delivering 100% quality product (in the US and Overseas).

[firelizard]

I have no problem with cheap brands, some even fit good while expensive JDM kits fit horribly (cough*MintBlue*cough), but counterfeiting is just low so I'm happy to see that some thing on a bigger scale is being done to curb it

[swifty949]

"So to say something that someone has put their hard earned money sweat, and time into a peice of crap, well thats just insulting and rather rude."


I think it's A LOT more rude to make a copy, sell a copy, and buy a copy. Your stealing from the small companies, and giving your money to these multi million dollar companies that do nothing all day but make copies. Support originality is my point. this industry needs constant originality to survive.

[KumaXL]

True true I also agree the large corporate ripoffs are very rude to the small independant compaines. I for one do not support those, VIS, Andy's and the like. All I was saying is that there are few small compaines here too that in fact do make good quality reproductions of the more expensive overseas stuff. But then of course there is always the huge guys that make total and complete crap. So but yeah the contest of the "Real vs. Fake" has been drawn out way too far, I for one would like to think of it as everymans opinion, lets keep everything civil and creative! I would like for everyone to succed in all the car related endevours they seek. Good Times no worries! ;)

[Xotic sC]

Either way, if this keeps happening and nothing is really done to stop it, the original companies will die out and there will be nobody to make these new designs, and the big fish have nobody to copy it from...

[username]

picture it like you buying a rolex.
you rocking the real gold and diamonds and your best friend is rocking folex.
he's rocking fake cheap gold that'll give you a green stain and diamonique.

[AME_VIP]

I always like this debate. There is a massive thread on zilvia regarding this topic that I have bookmarked.

One problem is that many of the products in the aftermarket industry are simple and can be reversed engineered with ease. Body kits are the most obvious example. Yep you will get what you pay for when it comes to quality, but there will always be consumers looking to save money by purchasing the knock off that is half the price.

[chrisngo]

This debate is like downloading MP3's. You think the artists enjoy the fact there are people playing their music without paying a dime for it? I mean shit, they'll buy the expensive laptop or PC but when it comes to buying the album, forget it.

In the case of bodykits, ... blah blah blah ... you know the similarities.

This is an old debate. What it comes down to is this, when you roll up to a meet and greet, you want people to like your car. An authentic body kit does not add any value (as pete stated above), however, it is a self gratifying purchase that only a true car enthusiast can appreciate.

Harley Davidson, for example, has been around for decades. Do you think the HD newbie riders buy crap leather boots or non Harly parts for their bikes? Hell no...why? Because they are in a mindset knowing that when they venture into the HD culture, they are immersing themselves into a whole new lifestyle and they have to stay true.

As the industry matures, the authentic products will strive again. Right now there are too many young people out there that just do not know any better. Ten years ago when the import scene was blowing up...I kept it real...I bought a set of 16" 5Zigen wheels for 1200$. Why did i do that...because it was from Japan and it was the real deal.

[soapbox: off]

Chris

[VIPete]

Thanks ass..

You knew what I meant by adding value.. with the authentic kit!

[username]

This debate is like downloading MP3's. You think the artists enjoy the fact there are people playing their music without paying a dime for it? I mean s***, they'll buy the expensive laptop or PC but when it comes to buying the album, forget it.

YES the artist enjoy us fan downloading their album shit 2-3 weeks early so we can get a sneak preview before go out and purchase their shit when it comes out!

people who say they dont download mp3s, theyre fucking lying their asses off!

[firelizard]

I download MP3s in bulk :P
Even if I could afford CDs, I wouldn't buy them though, they're so inconvenient and record companies don't need the extra money.

[jtanoyo1]

Like I always say, it doesn't take half-a-retard to copy a creation of someone else and then call it your own.....

[One Ton VIP]

SSR attributes their demise to the ubiquity of cheap, knockoff wheel companies out there nowadays... so are they totally responsible for SSR's death? Probably not totally, but I'm sure they played a very large role (and I'm sure SSR's back end didn't do a good job restructuring their company to deal with the influx of low-end, low-priced wheels in the worldwide market, too). But point is... these doo doo companies can easily come in and smother any other market, and I always wondered what a company would do when its whole product line depends on copying something else, and the companies it copies from all go out of business. Sorta like biting the hand that feeds you...

Anyone else notice that Konig has, over the past 2 years, started bringing out wheels of their own design...? And I like how they've tried to patent a couple of them too... they know themselves all too well

[RHDVIPbB]

A lot of the real parts are expensive because they want to appeal to the diehard fans. If knock off companies were slowed down, then the supply and demand would be different. Companies are starting to slow production since they are losing a little bit of money on a regular basis. They have to compete with the market and it is partially why SSR died off.

I just hate people trying to pass fake stuff off as real or complain when the knockoff parts don't perform like advertised. Super Steet or Import Tuner did an article on knockoff parts. The Greddy oil pan for the 240 compared to the fake one is the best. The knockoff had cracks in it and didn't have the fins that Greddy had. The Apexi turbo timer and certain BOV's were cheaply made. Knockoff engine parts produce a risk or hazard if not properly made and researched like the originals.

[polorbear206]

aww....this means no more NISMO oil caps or ground kits? damn....

:2funny:

alot of the sellers on ebay motors will suffer to find new products

[VIPete]

:2funny:

alot of the sellers on ebay motors will suffer to find new products


Its about time they learn respect for this industry.

[polorbear206]

Its about time they learn respect for this industry.


im all for it. personaly i think its about time all the cheap :uglystupid2: on ebay got what was coming to them.

[RHDVIPbB]

Read the Modified mag from 2005 with the HKS RSX on it. THey have a nice few pages on knockoffs and how it hurts the industry.

[firelizard]

Read the Modified mag from 2005 with the HKS RSX on it. THey have a nice few pages on knockoffs and how it hurts the industry.

Not a very good article though...the RSX feature was much more interesting :D

[One Ton VIP]

I wanted to write a letter to Modified... pointing out the fact that it's sorta hilarious that their article decries knockoff parts, yet a large number of advertisers in their magazine sell those very parts they write shit about. I'm sure pressure and "friendly contribution" for that multi-part expose was provided by the big name manufacturers, but it's still a tad hypocritical to see it featured in a mag that's full of ads for knockoff parts and purveyors of knockoff parts to begin with...

[firelizard]

I wanted to write a letter to Modified... pointing out the fact that it's sorta hilarious that their article decries knockoff parts, yet a large number of advertisers in their magazine sell those very parts they write s*** about. I'm sure pressure and "friendly contribution" for that multi-part expose was provided by the big name manufacturers, but it's still a tad hypocritical to see it featured in a mag that's full of ads for knockoff parts and purveyors of knockoff parts to begin with...

That's very true. But they were talking about stuff being sold as the real deal, not cheap brands imitating them. TEIN's website has a warning about counterfeit S-Techs that are designed and packaged to look like the real deal but there are some visual differences.

[VIPete]

Thanks to VAN, this says it all :)
http://www.onetongarage.com/van/version_select.gif