Fauxdera debate question

[jnuts1]

during the Fauxdera debate yesterday I watched that Jens Ritter video where he called out the Chinese company for stealing his design which to me clearing has a Carl Thompson inspired upper horn. which is Thompsons signature look. At what point do we say a luthier has lifted a design? in the debate most were on the side that ANY lifting is unacceptable unless it's a fender copy or you are Jens Ritter.


So basically how much is too much?

 

[loveandbass]

an upright bass is just a giant ripoff version of a violin

 

[Ace Of Bass]

Kind of a slippery slope to me...I thought the debate was interesting until it got detailed by all the insults (beware the Pacman)...on one hand, people were up at arms because the bass was clearly a Fodera clone and some people took offense to it even though it was advertised as a tribute...why some of those people don't see that Fender clone builderskinda do the same tthing (but better) isn't really clear to me..its kind of the same thing...maybe the butterfly inlay was taking it too far...?