Someone pissed off Jake & Len, replicating LE heads |
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Someone pissed off Jake & Len, replicating LE heads |
davep |
Nov 25 2008, 02:07 PM
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#1
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914 Historian Group: Benefactors Posts: 5,157 Joined: 13-October 03 From: Burford, ON, N0E 1A0 Member No.: 1,244 Region Association: Canada |
a new thread on Air Cooled Technology:
http://forums.aircooledtechnology.com/show...23001#post23001 it was not a smart move on someones part. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) |
HAM Inc |
Nov 26 2008, 09:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 846 Joined: 24-July 06 From: Watkinsville,GA Member No.: 6,499 Region Association: None |
Just for the record, our LE-180 design (so named because the intake ports will flow a minimum of 180CFM @ .500" valve lift) isn't an exact replica of the 2.0 914 head. The chambers are, but the ports themselves have a series of minor improvements that I used to do by hand. We also modernized them with better seat and guide materials and 12mm plug bosses. They aren't reproduced with factory emblems or part #'s. They are a hybrid of Porsche and HAM innovations. They sell okay, but the big movers are the LE-200's. All LE series heads are under constant development for better materials, proceedures etc., but the LE-200's are where the total package sees development. Those heads are my playground, so to speak. I enjoy the tweaking and the never ending battle to make them better and more technologically advanced. That's why I said, copy away. The LE-200's that this fellow wanted to copy have already been superseded, anyway!
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Chris Hamilton |
Nov 26 2008, 09:35 AM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 611 Joined: 7-March 06 From: Berkeley, CA Member No.: 5,687 |
Just for the record, our LE-180 design (so named because the intake ports will flow a minimum of 180CFM @ .500" valve lift) isn't an exact replica of the 2.0 914 head. The chambers are, but the ports themselves have a series of minor improvements that I used to do by hand. We also modernized them with better seat and guide materials and 12mm plug bosses. They aren't reproduced with factory emblems or part #'s. They are a hybrid of Porsche and HAM innovations. They sell okay, but the big movers are the LE-200's. All LE series heads are under constant development for better materials, proceedures etc., but the LE-200's are where the total package sees development. Those heads are my playground, so to speak. I enjoy the tweaking and the never ending battle to make them better and more technologically advanced. That's why I said, copy away. The LE-200's that this fellow wanted to copy have already been superseded, anyway! I think in the world of racing parts this is typically the case, innovation is what keeps the copycats behind you on the track. Anyone who has the confidence that they provide a superior service does not need to resort to legal tactics, because even if this guy copies them, he may not have the reputation to sell them. |
Joe Owensby |
Nov 26 2008, 10:22 AM
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#4
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JoeO Group: Members Posts: 527 Joined: 7-January 06 From: Spartanburg, SC Member No.: 5,385 Region Association: South East States |
Just for the record, our LE-180 design (so named because the intake ports will flow a minimum of 180CFM @ .500" valve lift) isn't an exact replica of the 2.0 914 head. The chambers are, but the ports themselves have a series of minor improvements that I used to do by hand. We also modernized them with better seat and guide materials and 12mm plug bosses. They aren't reproduced with factory emblems or part #'s. They are a hybrid of Porsche and HAM innovations. They sell okay, but the big movers are the LE-200's. All LE series heads are under constant development for better materials, proceedures etc., but the LE-200's are where the total package sees development. Those heads are my playground, so to speak. I enjoy the tweaking and the never ending battle to make them better and more technologically advanced. That's why I said, copy away. The LE-200's that this fellow wanted to copy have already been superseded, anyway! I think in the world of racing parts this is typically the case, innovation is what keeps the copycats behind you on the track. Anyone who has the confidence that they provide a superior service does not need to resort to legal tactics, because even if this guy copies them, he may not have the reputation to sell them. I agree. Getting into the patent world is pretty messy and expensive. We recently spent over $3million in outside legal fees to fight a lawsuit by a competitor- all over something as minor as notches in a food tray. But, it was a $70million per year business, so it was worth the fight. We won, and ended up making the company that sued us pay the legal fees, plus we obtained the rights to their patent. A quick look on the US patent site, USPTO.gov for "cylinder and head and valve" gives 747 patents that include these terms. I would imagine if someone took the time to review all of these in detail, both the body and the claims, they would find about anything there is to do with cylinder heads. This is for patents that pertain to products or functions. Trademarks or copyrights are another thing, but are harder to enforce on things other than appearance. Jake and Len have the reputation of high technology development, great customer support as well as good quality systems and components. This reputation will support their sales which will allow further development to keep them ahead of copycats. For example, my decision topurchase one of their kits was based entirely on good comments on the 914 world board, and I was well pleased with what I got. I think it is also great of them to share tidbits of technical information on the boards to help educate us on issues with the type IV engines, items such as proper oil, head cracking issues, new engine develpments etc. This being the Thanksgiving season, thanks guys. JoeO |
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