I was having a quick chat with Mr X-Eng at Donnington whilst admiring his wares (trying to persued someone I needed one more like) and we happened to get onto the subject under discussion at the top of the thread.
Now I know from a previous discussion on MC that the profit margin for, shall we call it the 'original' was very low, highly commendable and well done that guy. So I have to wonder where the economic reason for the, shall we say 'latest version' is. Unless they sell thousands then the manufacturer of the calliper is unlikely to give any serious discounts. I think in this instance it's more about adding a prodcut to the line-up than doing it for the money.
Now if someone reproduces a good design and makes it cheaper, that's simple economics (the diff-guard being a case in point) but as with the arguament against video piracy, the copies do not help repay the cost of development For that reason I think intelectual property needs to be better protected. In this instance it is perhaps for us to look to our own concience.
As for all the other stuff, well I don't get in the bar too often at the Moment, I spend a lot of time in the tech. section and enjoy the time I spend there. Let's not fall out over somehting we seem to agree on
