BCE repro from the Chess Empire

There is "The (Indian) Copyright Act, 1957. But thats for Indians. But, the copyrights of the foreigners are protected in India by "The International Copyright Order,1999" where the country of the foreigner must be a member of convention country. Since, Slovenia is a member, they can claim copyright.

*THIS IS A STORY!!!*
How Patent works?
Indians using Neem as Medicines and pesticides for 2000, 3000 years.
W R Grace and Co. : Oh! Really. Lets do some research.
After few years,
W R Grace and Co. : We have invented something new in our laboratory.
US Department of Agriculture : Lets patent it.
*END OF THE STORY!!!

This is exactly what "The Chess Empire" did. Stealing someones knowledge or work.

A voice of reason...

Yes! Talking about "anything chess" is what we,on these forums, all have in common....and....since none of us truly know each other,we are pretty much all bits and bytes to oneanother.....That is why it's so easy to throw around insults,when we should all realize we're all part of one chess aficionado tribe.....Lets appreciate one another for at least that.

Of course,I know .that won't happen,but I'm an optimist.

completely untrue.  Copyrights protect designs.  Patents are for inventions and processes with functions.  

I have been wondering about the design copying practices long before this BCE knock off.  These chess vendors all sell similar sets, and often call them by the same name.  Camarata's knight designs for the Sinquefield cup sets is an example I will use but there are dozens of other examples.  You can buy a Sinquefield cup set from HOS, or you can buy a cheaper knock off from CB or RCM (the first design 2013, called Imperial, the current diesgin called Craftsman by both of them).

Maybe there are deals between these companies and royalties paid?  Or is it really just a world of outlaws and robbery?  

I know that design subtleties can make it difficult to differentiate between a copy and items that are innocently similar.  

But I am surprised to read this thread and see so many comments that seem to imply that this is the first case of a company selling a chess set that looks similar to the set of another company.  

I also have to mention that there are a few regular posters in the chess equipment forum who obviously share a love and interest for chess piece designs.  If they were all in the same chess club they would probably be best friends, as it is not easy to find people who have such a unique interest.  

And one of the the great things about the internet is that you can find people with your interests who you would normally never meet.  

But one of the negative things about the internet is that when these people with similar interests come together, they end up arguing and insulting each other.  I don't think this would happen if this was a face to face encounter, but the internet has an impersonal nature to it that seems to bring out the worst in people.

I would suggest to keep in mind that you are sharing thoughts with like minded people, and maybe even people you could be friends with, even if you don't agree on everything.  

As for BCE, the only version I would consider buying is the Stage 1 Eastern.  

This Chess Empire set?  Meh.  

@forked_again I have an article I'm about to publish on a blog here (or a forum post) regarding what you ask.

I think the issue can be easily broken down to: Is the design of the chess set being sold copyrighted?  I believe some designs like 1849 Staunton (by Nathaniel Cooke) are public domain and can be freely copied or derivative designs made.  That derivative design may then have copyright protection (the designer may need to defend why their version is unique enough and deserving of the copyright protection... or they may be challenged by others that the design was not unique enough).  If a copyrighted design, does the company producing it have permission to?

A design typically has value because it's unique and protected by copyright, however, if the copyright owner fails to enforce it some will argue they forfeit that value and are complicit it allowing it to be copied.

The name for a product can also be copyrighted to trademarked.  Because there doesn't appear to be anyone trying to enforce a copyright on the name "Dubrovnik" for describing chess pieces I think the name has lost all meaning and value.  Fischer is sometimes used in the product name for such pieces... again, he likely did not allow this but it evokes a certain emotion for the buyer as if they are buying a piece of history.  I've seen Magnus Calrsen used in the product name of different designs as well.  If he wants to maintain value in his brand he should be trying to prevent others from using his name.

I'd have voted for Forked_Again,had I not voted for Joe Biden....Those were choice words.

Well said.

Here's another BCE repro called "Equinox Staunton Chess Pieces" made in India and sold through Chessusa. Every piece seems like a copy of BCE Stage 1 Western from Noj except for the knight.  

https://www.chessusa.com/product/23-17VR.html

@zagryan This set was used in the Requiem scam if you remember. 

Not bad except the knight size is way, way out of proportion.  Its a deal killer.  

Oh, you mean Regium. Heard they duped chessdotcom and used photos of fake people in their bio. In hindsight, the use of fake BCE pieces in their promotional video should've been a warning sign. Never trust anyone who wears a fake Rolex.

I have a big interest in chess design. Maybe it's fueled by me being an artist but I love seeing the various designs and critiquing them - usually to myself. I think the knock off set (and that's what it is) is a handsome design (the Etsy set which seems to have disappeared). In some ways better than the BCE set. But it's a knock off so that carries a lot of negative weight. It's silly for us to fight over what is clearly a personal preference so I won't do it. 

I have no problem standing alone.  

@theendgames3 When did you become a troll. Did the kids bully you in school or were you the bully.

No. Lying about me being a racist or having a racist Twitter acount makes you a troll, a liar and a bully. People like you have no business in a good forum like this one.  

@theendgames3 You have been reported.