Carscoop reports that MINI has filed a patent for the body shape of the Paceman. The Sports Activity Vehicle is slated for production alongside the Countryman in late 2012 as a 2013 model. The Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria will be constructing this latest entry in the MINI family. When compared with the concept displayed at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show there are not many changes at all in the overall shape. Expect to see minor detail changes before the final version is complete.
Somewhere, someplace in China, there is a auto manufacturer letting out a collective..... AWWWWWW NOOOOOOOO..... Heh Heh Heh MENE COOPIE
Oh like China gives a hoot about intellectual property. Did you see that thing the other day where they're copying Apple Stores? Down to the point that the employees think that they are actually employed by Apple? ut:
Un fricking believable........ Did anyone notice the spelling on the glass window of the last picture..... Apple Stoer.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Back to the topic. What can be patented? The fact you face forward to drive it, 4 wheels? I mean look how many cars look like a Taurus, or minivans look like minivans. It is not run by dylithium crystals, so it's not the fuel system. It probably doesn't even come with a donut replicator, so what can they patent? Mark
the actual car looks much more handsom than the patent pics...but i agree with lotsie...there is not much there to bragg about IP-wise
It is what is known as a design patent. This is to protect the overall design and shape of the vehicle. Many of our iconic designs are covered by a design patent. Think of the Coke bottle. A legal description of a design patent.
Production Paceman NOT Revealed in Patent Rendering As you’ve likely read on MF, the MINI Paceman concept revealed last winter in Detroit is well on it’s way to production. And the image above is not it. Despite a handful of sites running stories claiming the above patent renderings are for the final production Paceman, we can reveal that they simply were meant for the concept shown in Detroit. How do we know? As reported on MF a handful of times MINI plans on adding two club door (aka suicide doors similar to the Clubman’s) to the rear of the car for added usability. In addition to that the rear bumper will also be redesigned from the concept due to US rear impact regulations. Clearly the patent renderings show the same rear bumper as the detroit concept. Another thing likely to change about the Paceman is the name. While good enough for the autoshow circuit, MINI has reportedly gone back to the drawing board to come up with something a bit more fitting for the car. However one thing that is certain is the internal code name: R61. Look for the R61 to debut sometime in 2013. More...
A quick Google search shows the following have been patented VW Jetta Maserati GranTurismo Chrysler Roadster Chrysler PT Crusier Fiat Panda Smart Roadster BMW 6 series MB SLS AMG MB E Class Cabrio Lotus Europa This is nothing new, in 1944 Tucker received a Design Patent. In 1867 Crittenden was awarded a Railroad Car Design Patent A Design Patent only protects the design form being copied. For example, GM has a Design Patent for a the Corvette, this prevents all others from going and making a car that looks like a Corvette. Maybe this will help understand a Design Patent From Legal Zoom You can debate on your own if the Paceman is useful or not.
Ferrari has sued people for making replicas, fairly aggressively by some accounts. Granted they're pretty distinctive, but then so is MINI. There is a certain look that says "MINI", and while the concept sketches above may not look "groundbreaking" there are going to be certain points of difference that will be identifying. Some manufacturers may not decide to aggressively defend their designs, but I bet they all would be miffed if there were nearly exact replicas out there.
The Chinese don't abide by patent law.... So folks, this one is up for grabs.... any takers? It's got the optional Xenon 9000k headlight.... Standard with "runflats"....
But rather than the electronic start I'll bet he just inserts his cigarette into the spot where the engine needs a spark