Hammock Product Services and design ethics ...

[swankfly]

This is a very touchy subject. Innovation creates captilaism. When does credit for innovation cease. If we step back and look at the world market from 30,000 feet...you don't hear Toyota giving credit to Henry Ford for the auto with each model roll out. You don't hear GE thanking Edison for the light bulb. This rant could go on and on. Patent law and copyright engfringement....I'm no attorney. Is it worth it to patent a Whoopie sling? Is it patented? Most of the related products discussed here are for such a niche market, I don't think the extra legal protection is financially justifiable. With all this being said, keep the innovation coming. The quote about older members not posting their ideas anymore bothers me. If you have a great idea and keep it to yourself and don't develop it commercially, shame on you. Make a deal with and existing manufacturer and let's see innovation. I wish I was half as creative as the vendors in this industry. You have a unique ability to see a situation and come up with a better or alternate option. Most of us recognize this and will buy the product from YOU. However it is a global economy/market and some people just want the cheapest price. Remember these products are not commodities, so quality usually out weighs price. Don't let copy cats stifle invention or revelation.

[MAD777]

I'll never quit sharing my trials & errors, hoping that I can contribute in some small way, to tinkering that is such an integral part of this forum. If someone copies it for commercial gain, so be it. I'm definitely not going commercial with this stuff. However, acknowledging that it is not their original idea, would be in keeping with the character of this forum. Where I would have a major problem, is if they tried to patent something they copied off the forum.

The bottom line for me is that I hope the ebb & flow of imaginative design never stops on this wonderful knowledge base. hopefully, a fee bad apples son't spoil the barrel.

[Ramblinrev]

At least in the early days, Tom Hennessy was very frank about the inspiration of his bottom entry coming from military hammocks that preceded the Vietnam era. Granted, he made some changes, but the bottom entry was not created and developed by Tom Hennessy.

In the interest of full disclosure: I use a Hennessy hammock exclusively because bottom entry is the only gathered end style I can get out of without assistance. My mobility issues impose that limit. However, that does not mean that I endorse and approve all of his practices. On some level, the "patent protection" claim on items with obvious prior art is a form of intellectual theft.

[hppyfngy]

The U.S. Patent process is entirely broken, but that's another story altogether.

[BrianWillan]

This is a very touchy subject. Innovation creates captilaism. When does credit for innovation cease. If we step back and look at the world market from 30,000 feet...you don't hear Toyota giving credit to Henry Ford for the auto with each model roll out. You don't hear GE thanking Edison for the light bulb. This rant could go on and on. Patent law and copyright engfringement....I'm no attorney.

This is a great point. Who first commercially produced a hammock with integrated bugnet that had zipper entry? How many are there now? Is credit still being given to the innovator? This zipper modification is just that, a modification. It's really no different than going somewhere to have a pair of pants shortened or hemmed. There are so many places that do that service and do it the same way that calling them out for doing it is ridiculous.

The quote about older members not posting their ideas anymore bothers me. If you have a great idea and keep it to yourself and don't develop it commercially, shame on you. Make a deal with and existing manufacturer and let's see innovation.

This is an equally valid point too.

Cheers

Brian

[bigfoot2]

I have known Mat from UK Hammocks for a while now and he is a stand up guy who has the highest ethical standards. Former UK special forces and just a really nice guy. Just my two cents. If anyone has any issues with him or his business, all you need to do is just e-mail him. Been a lot of negative threads on here lately..........very un-Hammock Forums like.

BF

[Hawk-eye]

I have known Mat from UK Hammocks for a while now and he is a stand up guy who has the highest ethical standards. Former UK special forces and just a really nice guy. Just my two cents. If anyone has any issues with him or his business, all you need to do is just e-mail him. Been a lot of negative threads on here lately..........very un-Hammock Forums like.

BF

I'm sure he is but the peak bag incident and this incident brings into question the judgements he made in providing a service to the fine folks in the UK. I and apparently a lot of folks would have done things differently.

But you're right no need to further drag any negative issues. This conversation has run it's course and the points made.

I would like to request the mod's close this thread please.

[angrysparrow]

This does indeed seem like a good place to end the conversation.

One quick note -

I just heard from 2QZQ, and they wanted to let everyone know that Mat from UKH has been in contact with them about this matter today via PM. They took it as a positive communication, and they now consider the matter to be resolved.

I think considering it resolved is perhaps a good outlook for all of us to enjoy.