Congressional action suggested...for scale models!

All,

I'd like to take a few moments to familiarize the sport rocketry community with an issue currently facing the scale modeling community, and encourage each of you to contact members of the House Armed Services Committee from your state to express your concern.

In recent years, defense manufacturers have begun an effort to force the manufacturers of scale model kits to enter into licensing agreements in order to market kits of classic military hardware. It's a complex issue, but in extreme cases it could lead to Boeing (the current owner of former North American Aviation intellectual property) asking for royalties on models of the 60+ year old P-51 Mustang, or even the Saturn V! As American taxpayers paid for the development of these magnificent machines, it is regrettable that the actions of the aerospace community's legal departments could lead to future generation of potential hobbyists not having access to the model kits we enjoy today. Here's a more thorough explanation of the situation:

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The implications for the sport rocketry community are sobering. Would Estes or Apogee continue to offer their magnificient Saturn V kits if Boeing required a royalty on each unit sold?

Fortunately, a lone voice in congress is fighting this lunacy. Congressman Robert E. Andrews of New Jersey plans on offering an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill next Wednesday, May 18, that would effectively prevent corporations from pursuing license agreements on models of items created at taxpayer expense:

If you wish to support Rep. Andrew's efforts, please consider contacting your congresscritter to share your views, especially if they serve on the House Armed Services Committee:

Phone calls, faxes, and emails are suggested due to the short lead time.

Thanks for your time, James ________________________

James Duffy snipped-for-privacy@mac.com

"What a long, strange product rollout it's been."

- Krusty the Clown