I Say Tomato...

[hwa]

So the Thank You thread over in the Lobby, which quickly skewed into a discussion over IP law, MM and Parnis branded "homages," law school schedules (I remember mine, but don't want to dig through those bones), and the uncertain statement that "affordables" can be discussed over in Affordables, got me to thinking:

How does anyone draw a reasonable line between an acceptable homage and a copy, whether it's an expensive copy or a cheap sterile knockoff?

Just so we don't start too quickly down the path of all the parnis business--that really should be "small P" parnis, based on the excellent education in such by Ric from a long time ago in another place--let me just posit two points:

Rolex Submariner vs. Tudor BackBay. Mercedes vs. Snowflake. Say what you want, same damn watch, one or both are copying the other or someone else, and they all cost a bloody fortune at least in comparison with any of the models you can buy that look just like either or both down to a couple bucks.

If I can proudly wear a Tudor, why can't I do the same with a cheap diver?

And because there has to be pics, here's three:


The dictionary defines "homage" as an expression of high regard, or "something that shows respect or attests to the worth or influence of another." (I won't attribute the quote just to add a little plagiaristic fun to the game--an homage to the source, if you will.) If I get full-on plastic surgery to make myself look like a famous movie star, that's not an homage, that's creepy, no? Or it is just a creepy but acceptable homage? But what if I just go for the nose, or hair color?

I'd like to say that a straight copy crosses the line, but then I take pictures of things all the time, makes albums of such prints, and never, ever feel badly about showing the pics, including one I took of Grand Teton from the same spot as Ansel Adams' famous one...

Then, I'm way too much of a populist at heart to say only the rich should have the fun. There are countless decent, hardworking people for whom a Rolex or Tudor is not in the cards, now or ever, and why shouldn't they be able to enjoy a timeless design? Raise your hand if you NEVER put a poster on your wall while in college of some Picasso, or Ferrari ....

I think in the end, something like a Bolex or Tubor would be an unacceptable copy. I'm troubled by sterile dials stuck in intentionally identical cases/hands. But I'm not troubled at all by a modded Seiko with mercedes hands and a pepsi bezel or snowflake hands and a red bezel. Maybe it's the 4 o'clock crown...