kwt950 Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 All, This is Bill Drennen. I want to post this message to everyone because I'm totally against anyone who produces unauthorized copies of my products or other’s products and tries to profit from copyright infringements. This eBay seller below has posted and sold "black resin" Kenworth W900L hoods and cab knock-offs of my copyrighted W900L on eBay without my consent. I asked him nicely to remove his auctions, but he did not. He left me no choice but to turn him in to eBay as well as filed a Copyright Infringement charge against him. I ask of you to please do not promote this sort of behavior by purchasing the counterfeit products and if you suspect someone of this behavior, please contact the modeler who produced the originals to verify first before you make your purchase. I, as well as others on this website have put long hard hours into making our products and have taken the funding cost to pay royalties and casters to produce our products in order to make them available to you legally. To have individuals such as this person taking advantage of our work for greed of profit is detestable. If you want to check his auctions out the numbers are listed below. And, if you know who he is, or who made these casting; I certianly want to know to take further action against those individuals producing counterfeits of my product. You can send me a private email anytime. Bill Drennen Bill Drennen Truck Models eBay Item numbers 281406857809 281406867113 271570768238 eBay ID badtxz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 WOW I didn't know you were still in business. I don't do trucks,but a few years ago I latched onto a set of your beautiful aluminum wheels. Good to know your still around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Looks like those have been sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 WOW I didn't know you were still in business. I don't do trucks,but a few years ago I latched onto a set of your beautiful aluminum wheels. Good to know your still around. Thanks Mike. Yes, this old dog is still around. Sure glad you got a set of my wheels, those were so cool. If you have used them send me pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 Looks like those have been sold. Yes Jim, they did get sold unfortunately. It takes eBay awhile to pull the auctions. I found them about a 1-1/2 days before the auction ended. eBay said when you make the report you get put into a queue, so they didn't get to them in time before they were sold. I have had eBay pull auctions before in the past on this issue. eBay has a program named VeRO that allows you to file the Copyright Infringement charge. They said they would give him a violation for selling them. The Verified Rights Owners program (VeRO) allows intellectual property owners to report listings that infringe their rights on the site. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Well, that's good to know about VeRO. Hopefully he won't be selling your stuff again. Do you have a catalog or Website for your parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 Well, that's good to know about VeRO. Hopefully he won't be selling your stuff again. Do you have a catalog or Website for your parts? Jim, I don't have a list because I dont have that much to keep one. I have most all of my kits execpt for the 1/24th Pete hood conversion. I have in stock my Pete 379, ($90) KW 9L ($90), Pete 358 ($40), and the suspension trunions ($5) to update the Revell Germany 8 air bag with the KW logo in the center. I also have several of my spun aluminum Vortox air cleaners($30). If you want any of these let me know though a PM. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 How do you copyright a resin part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarsam326 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I'm glad I ran across this, I was about to buy one, but not now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Bill, guess i got 1 of the last of the 1/24 pete hoods from ya. Im sure glad, its very nice, cant wait to get the build started. Clayton Edited August 16, 2014 by Petetrucker07 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 How do you copyright a resin part? Danno You can google copyright on the internet and find their website. You will find that if you keep all your plans, pictures and any information on your build you are legally considered copyrighted. You also have the option to register your master patterns by sending them all your info on your creation. Hope this helps. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 I wish you luck. One of my old clients is currently battling a similar issue (nothing to do with models though), but it's a trademark infringement. She's repeatedly contacted the violator with a "cease and desist" demand, and the idiot perp even went so far as to file a trademark application using my client's wording. Of course the USPTO threw the application out, but the idiot who's doing the infringing is frankly...an idiot, and doesn't seem able to grasp the illegality of what she's trying. A civil suit is next. When she gets hit with a multi-thousand dollar judgement, plus costs, maybe she'll get the message. Problem is collecting from these thieving morons, and recovering the cost of the suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Hi Bill, I sent you a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 Bill, guess i got 1 of the last of the 1/24 pete hoods from ya. Im sure glad, its very nice, cant wait to get the build started Clayton Yes you sure did. Send some pics during your building. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fractalign Posted August 16, 2014 Share Posted August 16, 2014 Aaaaah ! the resin pirates strike again ! We have a major truck resin producer over here that was the victim of a local resin pirate. This resin pirate was so brazen as to actually have his own website and export over seas. He in no longer in business luckily, but he was ripping off truck and automotive producers. One guy was so upset that he stop casting for anyone other than himself and close friends. I studied this resin pirates web site and found only two items that were his own creations. The only way to get back at these guys is to find stuff that they have created them selves and threaten too recast it if they don't stop casting your stuff. If that does not work legal action might be your only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Watch out for characters like that at shows too- this has been a few years ago, but a buddy examined what he at first thought was a Herb Deeks 1-1/2 ton cab and chassis for the AMT '50 Chevy kit. Upon closer inspection, it was a fake- and a very poorly done fake at that. My friend asked the guy about its origins and the seller got evasive. Obviously my friend bought nothing from this vendor and told others at the show to do likewise. I'm sure behavior like this is more prevalent online than at shows these days, but still, be warned either way. If a deal seems too good to be true or the product you see in front of you doesn't measure up to the quality of the caster who allegedly produced it, walk away- and don't be shy letting people know about that vendor and his shady practices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 I agree with you on the shows. I've been down that road also with a person who was taking claim to fame on my products, until I introduced myself to him. I asked all sorts of questions about his resin casting with a large crowd standing around and he proceeded to tell everyone how he made the truck masters and then molded them and all that, but when I popped the question "Isn't that Bill Drennen's W900L?" His chin hit the floor and didn't know what to say. Then I said to him, "I'm Bill Drennen and that is my work you are taking credit for." Then we had a discussion about making sure he is doing the right thing and not being a pirate. Thank you for the support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewaskew Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I agree with you on the shows. I've been down that road also with a person who was taking claim to fame on my products, until I introduced myself to him. I asked all sorts of questions about his resin casting with a large crowd standing around and he proceeded to tell everyone how he made the truck masters and then molded them and all that, but when I popped the question "Isn't that Bill Drennen's W900L?" His chin hit the floor and didn't know what to say. Then I said to him, "I'm Bill Drennen and that is my work you are taking credit for." Then we had a discussion about making sure he is doing the right thing and not being a pirate. Thank you for the support. That's the best way to bust them Bill when they don't know what you look like and then the big surprised look on there face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewaskew Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I'm glad I ran across this, I was about to buy one, but not now! Get them from Bill I have 3 of his W900L Hoods and they are real nice and not for sale lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwt950 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Stuff like this is why I've stayed out of the resin casting business. I was seriously considering it at one time and a good friend even offered to help me with money to get started. The more research etc. I did, the less I wanted to get into it. You see so many people getting ripped off on their products. It's happening right now to a great guy here on the forum. He totally scratchbuilt a Fairmont body and spent countless hours on it only to have some low life buy one from him and start producing and selling them on ebay. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=91911 Seriously, what kind of legal action could a person take? How could you prove that they made an exact copy of your product without a copyright or trademark? If you asked them to produce a master, you know the excuse will be, "it was destroyed in the molding process and I pitched it." It's not much different than a caster casting wheels,tires and parts directly from a kit. Many casters do that. How is it legal for them to cast parts directly from a kit that has had licensing fees paid and the copyrights? Do they have or get permission from the kit companies? Do they pay a percentage of the sales to the kit companies? That's something I don't understand. There's a guy on ebay right now that is selling copies of the camper top from an AMT '77 Ford pickup. In his description, he swears and declares that he scratch built it and can produce the plans where he drew it up and has photos of the build process. Here's a link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Resin-pickup-cap-topper-for-older-8-ft-version-trucks-Ford-Dodge-Chevy-1-24-1-25-/321488682712?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ada37fed8 Here's another item that I'm rather suspect of..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-to-1994-Ford-F-600-F-700-F-800-Resin-truck-cab-w-pieces-Junkyard-diorama-/321494897552?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ada96d390 Even IF you can prove the person is making copies of your product, is it going to be worth the time, money (lawyers aren't cheap) and hassle to go after them? IF you did get a judgement against them, do you think you would ever see the money? I think that's what the low life's count on. Plowboy, You do have to go through legal negotiations with the major mfgs in order to be licensed to sell products that bear their name. Generally speaking, you also have to carry a Liability Insurance policy of at least $1M. Then you have to track and send into the company the units you sold and pay your royalties. All this does take time and money. There are several cottage industry companies who take the time and effort to be legit. I know of a few people who were selling Mack and GMC products without legally being licensed and they both were issued letters to cease their operations or legal action will be taken. As far as copyrights go, you can go to their website and read all about it. Only the master modeler knows his secrets that he can truly identify a counterfeit from the original. No matter how many times a counterfeiter will try and cover it up it they will know it will be there for identification. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Then I said to him, "I'm Bill Drennen and that is my work you are taking credit for." I'd loved to have seen the look on the guy's face when you dropped that bombshell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Bill, how does one go about ordering from you? I'd like to get a 358 hood Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) drennen.bill@yahoo.com Heres bills email. Hey Bill, can you please post a pic of your 358 hood. Edited September 1, 2014 by Petetrucker07 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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