[QUOTE]Originally posted by rworne
[B]

U.S. economic policy and Asia's tendency to ignore patents and copyrights are not the issue.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DJ Qube
[B]Question...

Would you rather buy an authentic J's front half bumper with the seamline going across the top or a knockoff J's style full front bumper, which does not have the seam, for less $$$?

 

Definitely not trying to start a flame war. (I got too heated in responding)

In any case, a lot of you have touched on different aspects of both arguments. I totally agree that it is not fair to the Japanese company who spent $15000 on R&D to have a knockoff product listed for a fraction of the price because molds are cheap.

Take Top Secret for example. They are a top-notch company who designs custom cars for special orders. Do you think they are big? Big like TRUST or HKS or A'PEXi? Hell no. They have produced awesome parts for many applications, and hence have built up their name in the industry. They are respected all over the world. Yet, they are small. They do have the huge capital to produce 5000 front bumpers or or even 500 Ti exhausts. I just received my Ti exhaust from them... it was their LAST ONE IN STOCK. Smokey said it will take 3 to 6 months to produce a couple more.

And speaking of building up their name.... will you remember XXX tuner shop in Hometown, U.S.A. for replicating the J's front lip or Top Secret CF hood? I hope not.

And speaking of the "line" the J's front lip creates... it's personal preference. But why do people want to buy the J's lip or even the J's Style front bumper? Because they want the JDM look. I dare any of you to fly to Japan. Go ask if they think the J's half lip is ghetto. They will tell you it's performance oriented. What's the point of replacing the entire front bumper when you can create the same wind deflection effect with the half lip (weight savings too)?

So don't flame the high prices. JDM products are rare and not mass-produced; therefore they have to charge them at a premium. Yes, they are a specialty, novelty item. IMO, if you can't afford the parts, save up your money until you can. Or just don't get it- sit back in your lazy boy, surf the Photo Gallery in S2KI.com and admire what's out there. There are plenty of cheaper authentic alternative parts available. Can't afford a Mugen intake? Get an AEM one. Can't afford a C-West kit? Get the OEM Honda front lip and side strakes.

Lastly, I think it's useless for us to banter back and forth on this subject. Why don't we hear from some of our sponsors? I'd like to hear their opinion.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DJ Qube
[B]Question...

Would you rather buy an authentic J's front half bumper with the seamline going across the top or a knockoff J's style full front bumper, which does not have the seam, for less $$$?

 

I have to admit that I would run with certain replicated items, but only to the exterior because I have had so much crap in the past that I cannot justify spending that much on a daily driver and nearly beating someone for a crack or something to it. Engine and suspension should by top notch and most interior and electronis, but for me, it's the body that I look at by look and price. I do agree though that the knock-off market has run rampant, but really there are good arguments that I have heard from both sides of the fence and I still don't know right from wrong.

My friend is a pure no knock off king when it come to his BB6 and the money he has spent on it is ridiculous. His car is on onlineshowoff.com and is a blue 00 Prelude on MF10 mirror face rims. He has the Authentic kit too, but has not found a hood he likes. If you just see what he has it seems to justify why some people want or can only afford the replica.

Props to the people who have the original, but that was done by preferrence and the search to be different by not opting to wait for a replica, but just don't sweat it. You know what you have, your friends know and people can tell sometimes. To me it is always better to see the original instead of the knock-off.

 

I agree with the majority of what has been said... It really aggrivates me to see small quality companies get blatantly ripped off... as an artist myself, I would be livid with whomever decided to profit off of my work... Why don't they? I honestly believe they know, but don't really care... They are content with their domestic market.. If someone in texas wants one of their products, they will sell it to them, but they do not depend upon it. I have not, and will not purchase nor condone the fabrication or sale of knockoff pieces... I can't even justify ripping off musicians by downloading pirated mp3s.. but that again is just me. Knock off cherios are generally made by the same cereal company, under a different name, and in a bag... don't think they aren't making their money... they just found a clever way of making you give it to them regardless... I have stayed true to my car, and the companies I support in my mod purchases... am I stupid for spending so much money on it? I guess that would be a matter of oppinion, and yes, with the money I've spent on the car and mods, I could have had a MUCH nicer car in stock trim... but that isn't the point now, is it?

 

A little irony...

Here we are, on the world wide web -- which would not exist were it not for a community of open standards and non-proprietary ideas -- debating the value of intellectual property.

I'll take no stand. I'm just AMUSEd.... (yes, pun intended)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by POWER S2000
[B]Lastly, I think it's useless for us to banter back and forth on this subject.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stratocaster

Body Kits:

 

Hmmmm $2700+ bucks for an Amuse hood, or under $600 for a copy. Sorry, I have got to say go for the copy! And spend the rest on some coilovers!


BTW I'm looking for an Amuse style hood. I don't give a shit about weight savings, and I'm going to paint the sob anyway so I could care less about what the cf weave looks like.


What is call comes down to is give the people what they want, and if you can do it cheaper than the other guy, more power to ya! Yes I buy generic prescription drugs, it's the same stuff. (AZ has no more HMO's .)

Competition drives innovation. If someone wants to buy me the REAL Amuse hood, I'll eat my words, buy I'm not holding my breath.