On 2 Jun 2005 11:35:38 -0700, "TrailRat"
wrote:

A little debate between friends has led me to spill it among the
newsgroup. The debate is over mass produced furniture and the
reproduction of it in a private workshop.

The question goes along these lines. Is approaching a flat-pack
supermarket or furniture store with the intention of copying a piece
illegal.

A few of the answers state that it must be a breach of copyright laws.
Another answer states that if a carpenter copies a piece
unintentionally, then he'd break a copy right law. Other answers state
that various pieces follow the same basic principles, i.e the design of
a wardrobe is the same on many levels but there are many variants.

So whats the opinion of the group. Maybe I'll share it with my friend
next time I'm down the pub. Yes, the debate started over pint.

TR
=============================
Have not read the other replies BUT I have done it more then a few
times.... BUT not with the intention of selling the "copy"....

In fact the furniture store (well the salespersons anyway) allowed me
to photograph the items and take measurements....

I also did this for a writing desk that I saw in a Colonial home in
Willaimsburg ...also asked permission ...and did not have a problem..

Only once was I ever turned down....( at a Plantation in Charleston
SC) ... but they still let me draw the table, and take
measurements...just would not let me take a picture...

If I went into production and made these items for resale
then "maybe" it would be ethically wrong... but making a "copy" for my
own use in my own home (or even for a gift) is not in my opinion
anything that would cause me to toss and turn all night...

Bob Griffiths