Is every cube a knock-off?

[cubemaster13]

I was just thinking about this when i was bored. Technically, the Rubik's 3x3 was the original, so every other cube invented after it (excluding Rubik's brand) are knock-offs. So really people shouldn't complain about having a knock-off puzzle. Cause really if you think about it all your puzzles are knock-offs. Just give it a thought. Thanks

 

[PHPJaguar]

Rubik's patent expired awhile ago.

 

[hyunchoi98]

Did the 4x4 and 5x5 patent expire?

Definetly a knockoff = YJ 6x6, 7x7, 9x9, 11x11

 

[cubemaster13]

oh... i didnt no that

 

[masterofthebass]

I think the 4x4 was patented in the early 80s, making it quite possible that it had expired. perhaps that is why there were all these rubik's based 4x4s coming out last year?

 

[cubemaster13]

ok... well i feel stupid now...

 

[Stefan]

the Rubik's 3x3 was the original, so every other cube invented after it (excluding Rubik's brand) are knock-offs.

Why?

Rubik's patent expired awhile ago.

So what?

 

[Ethan Rosen]

technically, if you go by that line of thought, the Rubik's Cube itself was a knockoff

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...50&s1=3655201.PN.&OS=PN/3655201&RS=PN/3655201

 

[PHPJaguar]

ok... well i feel stupid now...

Don't.

Rubik's patent expired awhile ago.

So what?

With all due respect, I thought that the definition of a knock-off cube was a brand that had been based off of/completely copied from a patented design. Illegal knock-offs, anyway. So I suppose it depends on whether you consider legal copies of a mechanism knock-offs. Is that what you are getting at?

 

[Lux Aeterna]

ok... well i feel stupid now...

Don't.

Rubik's patent expired awhile ago.

So what?

With all due respect, I thought that the definition of a knock-off cube was a brand that had been based off of/completely copied from a patented design. Illegal knock-offs, anyway. So I suppose it depends on whether you consider legal copies of a mechanism knock-offs. Is that what you are getting at?

This. It isn't a technical legal term, it's the sort of word you'd use to describe $5 Rolex watches being sold in New York out of some guy's briefcase. I can't personally tell them apart from real ones, and god only knows where he got them. They might even work just as well as the real ones, but he still closes the briefcase and walks off when the flashing lights show up.

 

[Stefan]

I thought that the definition of a knock-off cube was a brand that had been based off of/completely copied from a patented design.

Where did you get that definition? Doesn't sound like any of these:

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/knockoff
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/knockoff
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/KNOCKOFF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockoff

 

[idpapro]

technically, if you go by that line of thought, the Rubik's Cube itself was a knockoff

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...50&s1=3655201.PN.&OS=PN/3655201&RS=PN/3655201

to my understanding, this was a magnetic 2x2

 

[Stefan]

this was a magnetic 2x2

So what?

 

[idpapro]

this was a magnetic 2x2

So what?

technically, if you go by that line of thought, the Rubik's Cube itself was a knockoff

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...50&s1=3655201.PN.&OS=PN/3655201&RS=PN/3655201

he is stating that this person first invented the rubiks cube, what i am saying is that what he said

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...50&s1=3655201.PN.&OS=PN/3655201&RS=PN/3655201

is irrevalent to the cube being a knockoff becuase it is a magnetic, bearing no relation to the mechanism of the 3x3

 

[Zubon]

I think you can separate the knockoff problem into two categories:

Moral and Legal

Sometimes even if they are not breaking any laws, knockoffs can be thought of as being morally wrong. Using loopholes or copying someones design before they had time to ensure proper legal protection of their ideas etc.

As for the Rubik's 3x3 mechanism, I think it had it's fair run. The original inventor has no control over it now so I don't think DIY 3x3s are wrong in the slightest (legally or morally).

 

[Tyrannous]

from Stefan's wikipedia link on knock-offs, it does say that "offered for sale as if they were authentic" would make it seem as though unless they are explicity trying to sell them as "Rubik's Cubes" then they arent technically a knock-off, no?

 

[Muesli]

IMO this is akin to people selling fake band merchandise outside concerts. You never see police moving them on because they have better things to do. I believe that the problem is entirely moral, as if a product is doing well enough to warrant other companies copying them then surely they are successful enough. The Rubik's Cube still sold millions of items even with hundreds of KO cubes around, and they are still selling.

The V-Cube situation is a bit different though. V-Cubes have fallen behind the pack somewhat. They've lost their grip on the market by delaying their 8-9-10 and 11 layered cubes. They have only themselves to blame for the cubes that copy their mechanism.

 

[Thomas09]

Lol, I think Stefan Pochman has started trying to get that meanest member award again. (Hes probably going to "so what" me).

 

[briandanielsen]

Lol, I think Stefan Pochman has started trying to get that meanest member award again. (Hes probably going to "so what" me).

I smiled , could not help it...

 

[Owen]

Yes, and lamps are knockoffs because the shade can turn.