DM1975,
Since you care to bring up manufactuers of rifles as an example, have you given any thought as to the legal processes that enabled different companies to produce the same type of rifles?
Did different manufactuers say "Screw Stoner, Armalite, whoever. We're going to build the same rifle!"? Do past moneys/contracts come to mind?
Here's an example:
LaRue stuff is the hot thing now for sights and mounts.
Some Asian company starts making exact copies of LaRue products, or products close to it, for under half price.
Do you think LaRue would be p.o.'d?
Would you buy the Asian product?
Say it and practice it:
Thanks for your effort and development, Aimpoint. But, being the cheapwad I am, I'll give Hakko(or whoever) the reward.
Some people deserve the cheap crap and future third world country they buy.