We Will, We Will Crush You

[MTI]

Daimler Crushes Unauthorized Copy of Gullwing Body

The recently seized copy found out just how tough when the Mercedes-Benz used parts centre (responsible for scrapping the company's unwanted prototypes) put the replica SL in a 30-ton industrial press and transformed it from illegal to unrecognizable. It then received the official "confirmation of scrappage" designation.

[E150GT]

Looked like a nicely made copy

[Honus]

Interesting quote from Daimler's press release:

...As a work of applied art, the body of the 300 SL has been under copyright protection for a number of decades. The employees who designed the famous gullwing model in the 1950s granted Daimler AG comprehensive exploitation rights. The body shape has also been trademarked by Daimler AG, as recently confirmed by the Stuttgart regional court...

[spdrun]

How about putting the CEO of DB and customs officials responsible in the press along with the replica?

What a waste. It's a 60-year-old design. The db's at DB should get over themselves.

[engatwork]

The replica looked good. Wonder if you could build one 3/4 size without getting into trouble?

[HuskyMan]

most of the German companies are like this.....witness the name change of this web site. We will hunt you down and make you pay like the dogs you are.....notice to all mutts, don't mess with the big German Shepherd!!

[retmil46]

Love how they worded that - "granted" the company exploitation rights - business speak for they had to sign away rights for ANYTHING they designed to the company, as a condition of initial employment.

[HuskyMan]

Originally Posted by retmil46

Love how they worded that - "granted" the company exploitation rights - business speak for they had to sign away rights for ANYTHING they designed to the company, as a condition of initial employment.

employee = slave

never forget it.

[retmil46]

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

most of the German companies are like this.....witness the name change of this web site. We will hunt you down and make you pay like the dogs you are.....notice to all mutts, don't mess with the big German Shepherd!!

Exactly. Having worked for DB for the better part of 15 years, that's how the Germans view the employees at their North American plants - mutts, indentured servants, whatever.

This from first hand personal experience.

[lutzTD]

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

employee = slave

never forget it.

how would you do it? Have someone working for you and getting paid by you to come up with something with help and resources from the whole company then have the rights be granted to the employee. rediculous. of course the company owns the rights. In the end even if an employee tried to get the rights the way the law works as long as he was employed the employer owns the rights. They usuall give a dollar to the inventor and have him sign over the rights as a precaution, but its not necissary.

[MTI]

slaves got paid, vacations, benefits, ability to change jobs?

I think some folks need to rethink their definitions.

[retmil46]

Originally Posted by MTI

slaves got paid, vacations, benefits, ability to change jobs?

I think some folks need to rethink their definitions.

Yes, especially over in Stuttgart.

I agree, "slaves" is too strong a word. And signing over intellectual rights as a condition of employment is pretty much standard - just seemed a little high-handed the way they worded it.

But I have had first hand experience with their attitude towards non-German employees, no matter what level - basically, if you're not German, you're automatically inferior.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by retmil46

But I have had first hand experience with their attitude towards non-German employees, no matter what level - basically, if you're not German, you're automatically inferior.

I don't think the Germans have a patent on that attitude. In fact, it's the norm rather than the exception, isn't it?

[HuskyMan]

Originally Posted by retmil46

Yes, especially over in Stuttgart.

I agree, "slaves" is too strong a word. And signing over intellectual rights as a condition of employment is pretty much standard - just seemed a little high-handed the way they worded it.

But I have had first hand experience with their attitude towards non-German employees, no matter what level - basically, if you're not German, you're automatically inferior.

It's all waiver of rights via contract isn't it? nobody held a gun to the employees head, they entered into the agreement knowingly and willingly. In exchange for being a good slave, they receive paid medical, paid vacation and a plethora of other bennies. The Slave owner takes good care of the slaves because they produce for him. Slavery isn't all bad......

And as for the German versus Non-German attitude, this is a well known attitude of most of the Nordic races. they are quick to judge. Hispanics, on the other hand, are known to have a more forgiving attitude and a 'live and let live' outlook on life.

[MTI]

wow, now I know where all the world's excess hyperbole goes