Traplets and vintagemodel boat company the return!

I’m sure many are aware that Traplet publications went bust last year, I was fortunate enough to get a refund of the Thames barge plan hull kit and dvd I had ordered when I was fed constant delay excuses ( after 2 months of chasing enoughs enough right!?)

Anyway in search for a project I came across a company offering the Traplet laser cut wood packs, plans etc leading me to believe this company has brought out or changed names.

I’m hoping for the sake of us builders that like some of the easy work done for us that this pans out long term...

It’s much like the vintage model boat company who have changed ownership ( I believe) as I was after a few more of their range and was surprised to find them vanished from online until I found another company offering the same kits..

Anyway... this may be old news for some but for others like me a welcome back!


Here are the links to both new sites offering the kits we are used to seeing regularly.

Vintage model boat company.... now Slecuk

http://www.slecuk.com/balsa-wood/Boat-Kits.html

And Traplet.... now Sarik hobbies. Read Dave’s post below before commiting to this site at present time

https://www.sarikhobbies.com/product-category/model-boat-builder/page/23/

Rr

One or two people may know that my plans and article for the Fairey Huntress appeared in Model Boats magazine last year. This plan is available from Sarik Hobbies although my agreement for its publication was with MTM. I believe that Sarik took over the contract to print and distribute plans for MTM when Traplet went into liquidation. 
As a follow-on from the magazine feature I had arranged with SLEC that they would produce a kit of the model, based on my plans, with CNC-cut parts and a full selection of hardwood strip etc. I now find that Sarik are selling a CNC-cut wood pack to complement the plan. I don't know which parts are included with this but I would guess at only those reproduced on Sheet 2 of the plan (which excludes all the skins) as opposed to the full kit proposed by SLEC.
I have to say that Sarik have not sought my permission to do this (as owner of the copyright to the design) and that in doing so they have effectively killed off the production of the SLEC kit, depriving me of the fees and commission which I would otherwise have received and SLEC of the proceeds of future kit sales.
I am pursuing this matter initially through MTM but I must point out that while SLEC made a proper business approach to VMC and paid for the rights to manufacture their kits Sarik have simply pirated the plans they print for MTM for their pre-cut wood-packs.
I don't know how many other designers' models have been affected but if you buy a CNC-cut woodpack from Sarik then you are effectively condoning copyright theft.
Dave Milbourn

That not good to hear....

I can only shrug my shoulders on copyright issues as I’ve little clue how businesses run using external sources.

I honestly thought that the company’s were just brought out and that the plans etc were under the owndership of the company’s selling them.... go figure

This isn’t the first issues I’ve heard of about copyrighted or even licences items, and plans,

Recently some company’s have been selling 3d prints that they downloaded of “thingverse”

Where were offered freely to print yourself at home however the controversy comes as these people are printing the items and selling the model, to me it seams they are providing a service on that matter as they do state they are a printing service and not the creators they even credit the designers but I guess with all things you post online freely your open to being robbed cash for your efforts, in this case regarding 3d printing if your open to post your creations online for free to be used by others for free then you will alway run the risk of somone taking advantage.

In your case Dave I can only say to seek legal advice, but I’ll be sure to avoid the new Traplet publishers for a while.

Keep us updated on your battle as we only know what we’re told and ild hate to spread rumours unjustly.

RR

Just a heads up tho Dave when you see my build blog later this year on the gentleman’s run about, I have the bulkhead kit and plan it was originally purchased from Traplet may of 2015.

So no yelling at me!

RR
The problem only arose after Traplet's arrangement with MTM to publish and distribute their plans went pear-shaped because of Traplet's insolvency and Sarik picked up this particular piece of the debris. My original agreement with MTM (dated 1995) did not envisage such things as CNC wood-packs.
Incidentally I did once buy the CNC-cut wood pack for a Riva Aquarama plan published by Traplet but frankly the quality was worse than dreadful. I sold it on at a boat show Bring and Buy but at least the buyer had sight of what he was paying for.
DM

To be fair I’ve not brought the riva, however my father did the run about I have and said the frame pack was of great standard and the ply wasn’t that awful cheap junk, I got the Mrs to get me the wood pack as a birthday present, and again great quality ply, I’ve yet to build it but sat in its original box and still looking great.

I guess when these were being made they weren’t cheaping out on materials, I guess things change as company’s go bust.