[Carroll DeWeese]

It is important in intellectual property to immediately act to protect your creation. Once copies are being made uncahllenged, they eventually become part of public domain. Chrysler did not challenge the "Jeep" grill design for the Hummer when it was a military vehicle. When GM bought the rights to the Hummer, GM bought the rights to its distinctive characteristics -- including its grill. When Chrysler decided to challeng GM in court for using the "Jeep" grill, they lost and GM won. Chrysler should have acted with an explicit agreement with AM General at the beginning to protect its rights to "its" grill. They did not and thaey lost the right.

When CS did not challenge the replicas originally, he set the precedent for lossing control over "his" property (the Cobra design). He created an industry by not acting quickly. The competition has made the car available to a much wider audience. It has expanded the market. CS is just doing business his way.

He is the father of the Cobra, but sometimes the "children" do not always fully respect or obey the father. Innovation occurs by not strickly following the line. I appreciate Carroll Shelby. I love the Cobra. I also appreciate the fact that I can custom-make my Cobra my way.