I understand the issues in IP with adaptations of others' products. Just how far do you change it before it becomes yours? My own watercooling part endeavors have stalled while I look at what can be done without violating others' patents.

At the same time, I'm watching and waiting to see how this plays out, as I have a material I can easily use that would still allow a bowed top (Try bouncing one of my reservoirs off a patio, or driving over it-only the latter provided any visible damage) but it has to be molded, not CNCed at this point, and I'm just not that good. My stance is that I can research building a top like that, or I can follow my own ideas and make super-high end blocks a batch at a time that I believe people will want to use. This being Xtreme, I'm doing the latter, even thouugh I don't know that I'll sell a one. Yes, I'm nobody, as they say, but it takes nothing for a large corporation to ruin a nobody.

Gabe, if I thought it wasn't disrespectful, I would pursue it, but honestly, it's as you said. This is your baby. Just like my reservoirs and my waterblock designs are mine. In your situation, I don't know how I would feel, though my normal attitude in life is to see what people like and adapt. (Hence why I've not released anything but preliminary work-because I want to be sure my target audience wants it...)

Atthe end of the day, intellectual property is a ly thing. I am a staunch supporter of GPL and the user's rights, and my work would most likely be open to rework (though not reselling) so I could learn more from my audience. Others (and this is not a bad thing) would rather keep a design closed and stay a market player. I do not desire the place of Swiftech, so I'm content with my place, but I understand and respect the position of Gabe. In fact, it's probably that attitude that keeps his business under him.