Good luck getting the thieves in China to go along with that .

Lots of good reading on patents here if you take time to read it.


https://www.wipo.int/patents/en/faq_patents.html#:~:text=How%20long%20does%20patent%20protection,filing%20date%20of%20the%20application.



Ohhh well link worked on forabodiesonly so a quick google search will bring it up.

This is a huge problem in our industry. Companies who actually do their own R&D and innovate new technologies literally see Chinese knockoffs (usually with substandard components) within a few weeks of their product release.

It’s not uncommon to see spies at the annual industry trade show with cameras mounted on “selfie sticks” used as extensions so they can get clear images of a product’s innards.

Nobody shows upcoming innovations on the show floor anymore. Instead trusted dealers & associates are invited to private demo rooms, where we sign an NDA before seeing upcoming items.

Start with tariffs. Make it cheaper to pay designer.i know it more then likely won't happen
.

For years I've been saying that if I ever invented something worthwhile I'd patent it ... then immediately have my own knockoffs made !!

I just checked and yes they are. i actually called Snap off and queried their techs on it, they bounced me over to purchasing/ procurement. I talked to a really nice guy that said he could not answer if they were any better or not. He said they source from many places and there was just no way of knowing. I did appreciate his honesty

I will also say that Most major manufacturer's have Final test procedures of some type. There are normally also different specifications supplied by the end user (say comp cams)
During the manufacturing two identical parts made at the same time on the same machine may perform differently for a number of reasons to numerous to list. So we have Final Test. This is where the completed parts are subjected to a variety of tests under different conditions and then sorted according to their performance. For example a;
"Bin1" part is the highest quality and consequently is priced at a premium.
"Bin 2" is slightly lower on performance and priced cheaper.
"Bin 3" is middle of the road on performance and priced cheaper yet.
"Bin 4" is still functional but will fail if exposed to Bin 1, 2 or 3 spec's
"Bin 5" is a reject and gets recycled of scrapped

In addition, The end user say Ford, may require their own set of test parameters: In the case of hydraulic lifters it might be x amount of spring pressure with different viscosity's of oil under extremely hot and cold temps.

Blueprint engines may be buying Bin1's

Comp Cams may be buying a bin 1, 2 or 3 part.

the local parts house will likely be selling bin 4's as their house brand, TRW may be Bin 3's, Bin 2's and the Joe Blows engine kit supply company is going to go for the bin 4's and probably other stock crate engine rebuilders.

So, were the Snap off's bin 1's or even tested? the person I spoke with was unaware of any required testing with the orders he placed but said it was possible.