Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Will you be using a hard, medium or soft compound tyres or is that a silly question?
I might need to ask a metallurgist for some guidance on that one.
Will you be using a hard, medium or soft compound tyres or is that a silly question?
I might need to ask a metallurgist for some guidance on that one.
The biggest manufacturer of such wheels is based in the city of Quindao (aso known as Tsingtao, where the beer comes from) in Shangdong Province, China:
http://kaimaigroup.en.alibaba.com/
Looking at the scale, portfolio and transparency of their operations, it does make you wonder about the whole argument that replica wheels are illegal...I was expecting the manufacturing plant to be a closely guarded secret, cleverly surrounded by a complicated maze such that if anyone wanted to bring legal claims, they would struggle to find the owners. Yet this is very much the opposite.
datsfun said:So could it be that legally there is nothing the original design owners can do to pursue action as no infringement has occurred
datsfun said:With the ever increasing relocation to low cost production centres ( the proud to be British brand Dyson moving production to Far East eg) wouldn't it be ironic that some of original wheels are also being manufactured alongside the replicas in this Chinese factory:lol:
And using A356 alloys, who knew?
Matt Long said:And to TUV, it gets worse.
Would an RS Watanabe R type 16x8 et0 aluminium wheel be made to the exact same proportions as a R tyle 16x8 et0 magnesium wheel?
zNathan said:Wish I could compare and see the small differences if there are, would be interesting to see how they determine which alloy requires further / lesser strengthening in certain areas.
I think everybody accepts these days that manufacturing commercial products can be a global exercise. That's why my iPhone was made in China and my Sony computer wasn't made in Japan. Key point is control. Control of IP, control of manufacturing, control of quality and control of brand name. There is nothing inherently wrong with manufacturing anything in China, but there is an accepted problem with Chinese companies playing fast and loose with IP and brand names.
Such brands might well manufacture (or part-manufacture) outside their homeland, but the key point is that THEY are in control and the product is properly tested and certificated.
I have several sets of RS Watanabe 8-spokes in both cast aluminium and magnesium
In theory, no. In practice, it depends on date of manufacture (45-odd years of manufacturing in Watanabe's case...), exact design and size. Also whether they are cast or forged versions.
I have several sets of RS Watanabe 8-spokes in both cast aluminium and magnesium, and contrary to widely held belief there are 'R' types in both aluminium and magnesium. You can see subtle differences between them, particularly in the central hub area and spokes, but it's difficult to be more specific on something that has such a wide variation of sizes and styles.
Ultimately, I think it's a question best addressed to the manufacturer themselves.
I take it this was news to you? This is where the Atara wheels are made, despite Atara being based in Malaysia.
Do you honestly believe that there has been no infringement? Really?
Next time I see you in person I'll tell you some of the things he told me about such Chinese companies and the trouble that his company are having with them, as I can't print them here.
you'll see a wheel blatantly being called a "Volk Rays TE37" when it is nothing of the sort. Look at the logo on the rim (most of them are crudely photoshopped off, but you can see some of them) and tell me if you think that "RAVS ENG." is the same as 'RAYS ENG.' (Japanese company Rays Engineering being the owner of the 'Volk' brand and the 'TE37' forged wheel design)?
I was making the observation as a simpleton. We live in a world where the lawyers are ready to litigate at the drop of a hat. So why haven't they thus far ? Is the Chinese jurisdiction a barrier to bring a successful claim or is it a case that proof of wrong doing is not conclusive?
Ah, I always love these topics.
Little reminder for some of you who are thinking that the japanese are #1 in inventing stuff.
In the 60's 70's and even 80's they did exact the same thing as the chinese are doing today. Copying and producing at lower cost...
monkeymagic86 said:Concerning Watanabes? Who told you all, that it was a japanese design, and that Watanabe should send their lawyers. 8 spoke Banana wheels were long before on UK cars. And there are still numerous companies in the UK selling these sort of wheels. Minilite, Compomotive, Superlight,... Some are older than Watanabe themselves.
monkeymagic86 said:Same goes for the Hayashi street, a wheel Rota copied. But it's in fact a wheel that Hayashi copied from the italians in the 70's. Just because Hayashi or Watanabe are big and well known brands nowadays doesn't mean they invented these designs.
monkeymagic86 said:And yes I will run genuine wheels on my Datsun (SSR), but I also raced on Rotas for the last 6 years on numerous tracks and different cars. Never had a single issue!