I had no idea that there was even a licensing issue. I figured that the modelling companies just paid a fee and produced the model.

Here's one for the books.

NASA is given missions to accomplish from the U.S. government. Anything they don't already know how to do, they learn how to do with our tax money.

When the technology they develop is clearly known to be known to "others", they actively seek to place that technology in the hands of small business FOR FREE.

Why small business? I believe its to show good faith and not to give millions of dollars of taxpayer-paid technology to the same "big boys" that want royalties from us "little boys".

How do I know this? I am a recipient of a NASA Technology Exchange Grant covering cryogenic processing. I paid nothing for this technology. I did spend a huge amount of money commercializing it, like designing the processing equipment, etc.

But, in addition, I was given 40 hours of lab and tech help. Also, I found that EVERYONE I spoke to at NASA was as friendly, helpful and cooperative as if NASA was a five-star hotel. They were great!

So, if NASA gives away billions of dollars of tech to small businesses because we taxpayers paid for it, it seems that the recipients of billions of dollars of our money (Boeing, etc.) should be a little less greedy and lawer-led.

I will write to my congressmen and hope you all do the same. Thanks, NASA. The golf balls DO travel further!

Sealhead

Jeff,
The golf balls sure do go farther, ask Alan Shepard.



That has to be one of the coolest things Shepard ever did...

Shaun

I also do tend to see both sides of the argument here.

If a high-profile manufacturer such as (let's say Oshkosh for the sake of argument) want their vehicles presented in a good solid manner, the logical move for them is to LICENSE their corporate image with a reputable model manufacturer..

This gives two immediate benefits. Firstly for the manufacturer, good PR and a ready source for display models for their (always important) corporate presentations. Secondly for the model company, someone breathing doen their neck to ensure that the finished model is a good, accurate represantion of the subject vehicle.

This is what Accurate Armour do. They have a contract with both Land Rover and with Oshkosh. Perhaps it makes the kits a bit more expensive, but with the technical access they receive...

It gets REALLY silly when Chrysler or GMC want to pull in royalties for a 60+ year old design. (Look at the box on Tamiya's most recent Jeep kit, and you'll understand). It gets LUDICROUS when a railroad company starts a lawsuit over the protection of such a well-known image as 'Santa-Fe' for example...

No, it isn't just U.S.A. it's the whole damned corporate world....Jim

I once contaced Heil trailers, About douing a 5K tank trailer...... The wanted a $500.00 deposit for the drawings (and that was for a single modeler not for Production)

And they already have a Professional the use for all thier models......ACK