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Further points for discussion:
If someone puts a Zipp sticker on carbon wheels that they've already bought, does it harm Zipp in any way?
Is a homage which uses the design of an iconic watch but a different brand IP theft also?
If someone would/could never buy a Rolex, but buys a replica, is that more or less damaging than the above?
kkg337-
I think there's a fair bit of research about the economics of fakes. Save where fakes are sold as the genuine article, I'm not convinced of the real impact.
Years ago I watched a great lecture with one of the IP lawyers for a major fashion house. Homages and replicas in fashion generally are great for designer brands. They market the design, and increase the desirability therefore help to convert sales for those on the boarder. Let's be honest here, with cheap credit a huge number of luxury products are within reach of anyone on more than the national average wage.
hugo7
Fakes are fakes. I think there are a lot of ways to try and justify it being ok, but it still comes down to that. It's stealing IP, and that ain't cool. Would you ride a frame painted up as a colnago? Or wheels stickered up like zipps?