In the software industry this sort of behavior is a big no-no. A particular issue is copyright and for example whether two works have compatible copyrights. But the strongest analogy here is the various standards to computer equipment and software. The race rules do define the specs of acceptable bikes in the same way that standards documents define the acceptable behavior of software of hardware. Standards like this are the basis of multi-billion-dollar industries and often the subject of lawsuits.

Crellin’s attitude as related by Gardiner is very shocking. The equivalent in the software world would be for a company like Microsoft to take code from some other company and just put it in Windows without any acknowledgement or license agreement. Microsoft has done this several times and been successfully sued for doing so.

You’re basing your argument on the attachment of copyright protection at the time a creative work is produced. Yes, that is a correct understanding of when copyright law attaches. No, it is not the proper analysis for this situation.

Do me a favor and quote me fully next time. I said, “There’s no IP in racing rules…at least not legally.” I’m here to argue about authorship or moral rights and wrongs. I’m speaking about recourse in a court of law.

Just because you write something down, doesn’t make it a copyright, even it requires “intellect” as you put it. Do me another favor, work out by hand the first 10 digits of Pi, and write them down. Do you proclaim to have a copyright on that work you just created? Calculating Pi isn’t easy, and takes a great degree of intellect.

The best argument for there being IP protection in racing rules would be under a sui generis theory of law. You’re not arguing that here, nonetheless there’s no case law to suggest that sort of protection exists in this matter.

In other fields standards documents are often heavily protected behind copyright and other legal agreements.

Your analysis only shows your complete lack of understanding for what copyright law is, and how it operates. Check my credentials, I’d be more than happy to let you borrow a copyright law text or two.

http://plugbike.com/2010/02/19/motoczysz-supports-tt-zero-and-will-return-to-iom-for-2010/

I think the fact that companies like Mission Motors are even pondering what TTXGP not being at IOM means for them shows the importance the importance IOMTT plays in their mind…and they’re the ones whose opinion really matters.

If everyone shows up at TT Zero and not at Albacete, which event are you going to give more prestige to in your mind?

On the bright side I think TTXGP will provide more visibility to sponsors. Maybe Azhar could help these teams find some sponsors? I hear there is a lot of money in this Green tech stuff. :)

I still think winning the TTXGP series would be better. There would be a lot of learning and technology advances in 5 rounds of racing versus 1 lap at IOM.

With regards to the article: Of course they are “uninterested in the politics” and “just want to race against the best”, but it’s naive to think it’s possible. As the situation is, choosing where to race is politics.