Who would be willing to invest the millions it takes to set up a Gamma company when there are so many unresolved liabilities related to LP’s rights?
I don't think anybody's going to set up a "Gamma company" from scratch. ILCA has already said that several existing boatbuilders are ready to add the Laser/Torch/Gamma to their range, and if they don't call the product "Laser" or use the ray insignia, LP shouldn't have anything to say to that.
Where is the ILCA constitution or class rules is there power granted to its officers to abandon the Laser name or jet boats play in its games that are not produced by a builder with rights to use the name Laser?
There is no rule about that now; that's what we will most likely vote for in the near future.
How long will we be without a supply of new boats?
Depends on how many WS stickers LP has left, and how fast the new builders get going. A wild guess would be a few months. PSA and PSJ will help a little, too, so we shouldn't have a total break at any point.
We already know LP has successfully defended its territory.
Will it really work to tell the judge:
This time we changed the name of the exact same product because we decided to throw the copyright holder out of the market.
LP doesn't hold a Laser
copyright, because no one does. Even Kirby doesn't have any "design rights" (this was discussed very extensively a few years ago). The builders only have the rights to the trademarked name and logo. A non-profit organization like ILCA or WS should be free to choose to operate using products carrying those or any other trademarks.
when people show up at regattas with brand new Lasers, who is going to turn them away?
No one, if the boats have a WS sticker on them. If LP builds stickerless Lasers, then it's the judges' and measurers' job to keep them out. (And of course, other sailors can protest, too.)
The Gamma Class needs to have a measurement system
Like Fireballs have. There is no reason it matters who Made the boat.
No no no. That really works only with classes which have an option for homebuilding. The strength of the Laser is that you don't need any actual measurement... you just buy the stuff and go sailing.
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