Here’s my proposal that builds on Bill Barnfield’s and Kokua’s ideas.
Basically it’s an Underwriters Labratory concept.
An overseeing body might to be chosen containing a panel of judges, to
be decided upon (my suggestion: anyone who has had a Clark blank be eligible),
that would control the use of blank and board designers names and their
contributions to both long and short board design. This overseeing body
then permits the placement of their stamp of approval on the blanks and
boards of companies that reimburse the organization and thus the designers for the features they have
contributed to their surfboard and blank designs.
The overseeing body serves as a licensing body, collection agency, and official authorizing
body, with limits placed on it, to only use the names in it’s control for
surfboard design and construction recognition related purposes.
This way surfers buying boards can be sure they are getting an officially
sanctioned Yater Spoon Nose, Rusty Rocker, a Beatty Rocket Fish template, or a
Loehr Concave bottom, Anderson Thruster, Loehr Potato Chip etc. Just basic examples.
The proof would be a laminate the shaper would purchase with the blank and
would be permitted to place in the area of the board that contains that feature
or some other place on the board. It would be totally voluntary in the sense
that shapers would not be required to purchase the laminates, but then they could not use the
names of the inventors either. There is no legal precedent or protection
available for ideas that are in the public domain past the statute of limitations,
other than for the use of the licensing of the names associated with them, but companies
could lead by going along with this and seeking official authorization of free will.
The laminates design would contain one or two
Copyrighted or Trademarked logos which ever is more appropriate. A fee would
be charged for the laminate. Or they would come with the blank.
The governing body that I suggest initiates this is SIMA.
Here is what makes it work. Since Trademaks are a few hundred bucks
only a SIMA logo need be registered and contained on the laminate.
It’s inclusion on the laminate
along with the designers name and design feature, the permission to use
granted by the designer, would make it an official trademarked stamp of
approval.
SIMA could simultaneously establish a 501 (c) (3) charitable not for
profit corporation for the collection, holding, and dispensation of
funds that could be disbursed based on criteria yet to be established to
former professional shapers. glassers, sanders etc. with health care
needs not covered by their insurance. If for some reason a shaper wished
to donate a share of his or her royalties to this fund it would be a seamless
contribution for which they could receive tax credit instead of a check.
Since shapers, glassers and sanders are the workhorses that are the very
foundation of the entire surf industry and many toil without insurance
and many from the early days of this group are reaching retirement age,
other members of SIMA such as the billion dollar clothing and surf apparel
giants might be encouraged to contribute a share of their profits to
this fund, thus allowing them a stamp on their label stating this fact
and rapidly building a nest egg for the future health of the people who
founded and literally built this sport one board at a time.
Maybe this could be called the Dale Velzy Foundation or the Bob Simmons
Foundation or the Simmons/Velzy Foundation if either of their families
are willing to grant permission or something along those lines. If not,
I’m sure an anagram like “SIMA” could be created.
Picture this:
joe blow blank design
rocker or template
officially approved by the
Simmons Velzy Foundation ®
a SIMA® approved design
Something along those lines.
Licensing surfers names is not new.
Licensing shapers names is long over due.
The movie and other sports industries have done something similar.
This proposal written January 27, 2006 by Mark L. Spindler. Updated January
28, 2006. Humbly submitted to the public on Swaylocks.com January 28, 2006.
Thank you.