Greetings Massdrop and Community,
Bottom Line Up Front:
* Respectfully request that Massdrop suspend this drop until potential patent infringement considerations are investigated / clarified.
* Recommending that MD’ers withdraw from this drop in support of the original creator and designer and to send a message about the type of community we aspire to be.
Below The Line Detail:
Just confirmed with Erik Moon, the original creator and designer of the product that’s the subject of this drop.
Erik implied there is no relationship with KeySmart / Bogui Clik Wallet and that he is not receiving any compensation / benefit / licensing fees, etc. from the drop of this counterfeit product.
Erik said that he has attempted to contact Massdrop about this drop, but has yet to receive a response.
I’m not representing Erik in any official capacity, but am expressing my opinion and preferences as a member of the community.
There’s at least two factors at play here: Ethics and Law.
Don’t want to get into a big discussion about these two, but suffice it to say this smells.
Put yourself in Erik’s shoes, who’s been working this product concept for at least 3 years.
Erik’s product was the subject of two successful Kickstarter projects and he’s attempting to build a business anchored by this product.
If you have a DM1 wallet already, you know that it’s a brilliant design. It’s the best metal card wallet made. You cannot get a metal wallet that is more simple, functional, and elegant than the DM1. And, there’s that satisfying click!
Simple, functional, and elegant does not mean that it wasn’t very hard work to bring the product to market.
This is the reason that Erik is in-progress of patenting the design, which protects his investment of time and money from copy cat counterfeiters that want to leverage his blood, sweat, and tears for their own benefit.
Patent and Trademark laws reflect in no small degree the ethical and moral sensibilities of our culture. We believe some things are unethical and laws are created to reinforce those beliefs.
For obvious reasons, Erik is not happy about this situation.
I’m not happy about it because it just stinks / rubs me the wrong way.
Here's another angle: Don't we, as a community, want to support creators / designers / makers that are passionately trying to realize a vision that requires significant sacrifices so that we can benefit from their creativity and hard work? We want their very best and they'll be more likely to make the effort if we support them in situations like this with our very best.
Let me conclude by saying that if this drop is allowed to continue to completion, I will withdraw from Massdrop. I’ve been a member since 2014 and really enjoy the service and community, but will not be able to continue to subscribe and support a service that, in effect, condones unethical behavior.
FYI, although this post may engender thumbs-up and down comments, I will probably not be responding.
Thank you for reading / listening :-)
Bottom Line Up Front:
* Respectfully request that Massdrop suspend this drop until potential patent infringement considerations are investigated / clarified.
* Recommending that MD’ers withdraw from this drop in support of the original creator and designer and to send a message about the type of community we aspire to be.
Below The Line Detail:
Just confirmed with Erik Moon, the original creator and designer of the product that’s the subject of this drop.
Erik implied there is no relationship with KeySmart / Bogui Clik Wallet and that he is not receiving any compensation / benefit / licensing fees, etc. from the drop of this counterfeit product.
Erik said that he has attempted to contact Massdrop about this drop, but has yet to receive a response.
I’m not representing Erik in any official capacity, but am expressing my opinion and preferences as a member of the community.
There’s at least two factors at play here: Ethics and Law.
Don’t want to get into a big discussion about these two, but suffice it to say this smells.
Put yourself in Erik’s shoes, who’s been working this product concept for at least 3 years.
Erik’s product was the subject of two successful Kickstarter projects and he’s attempting to build a business anchored by this product.
If you have a DM1 wallet already, you know that it’s a brilliant design. It’s the best metal card wallet made. You cannot get a metal wallet that is more simple, functional, and elegant than the DM1. And, there’s that satisfying click!
Simple, functional, and elegant does not mean that it wasn’t very hard work to bring the product to market.
This is the reason that Erik is in-progress of patenting the design, which protects his investment of time and money from copy cat counterfeiters that want to leverage his blood, sweat, and tears for their own benefit.
Patent and Trademark laws reflect in no small degree the ethical and moral sensibilities of our culture. We believe some things are unethical and laws are created to reinforce those beliefs.
For obvious reasons, Erik is not happy about this situation.
I’m not happy about it because it just stinks / rubs me the wrong way.
Here's another angle: Don't we, as a community, want to support creators / designers / makers that are passionately trying to realize a vision that requires significant sacrifices so that we can benefit from their creativity and hard work? We want their very best and they'll be more likely to make the effort if we support them in situations like this with our very best.
Let me conclude by saying that if this drop is allowed to continue to completion, I will withdraw from Massdrop. I’ve been a member since 2014 and really enjoy the service and community, but will not be able to continue to subscribe and support a service that, in effect, condones unethical behavior.
FYI, although this post may engender thumbs-up and down comments, I will probably not be responding.
Thank you for reading / listening :-)