@paulp575 posted:Probably not so much as a copyright issue as it is licensing a copyrighted logo.
Lionel and the other model train manufacturers have to go through a long process if they want to produce models of real railroads. Once a manufacturer gets permission, then I'm sure there's some back-and-forth to ensure the items are true - as best as possible - to the real thing. I think I read somewhere that this process can take up to 2 years.
Sorry for this rant but this is a pure example of what is wrong in this country. Once permission is given, how is it possible to take so long to finalize a design? Shouldn't there be one person on the company side who has the final authority to say yes/no? And shouldn't they be provided with a portfolio of say 10 possible designs to choose from? Or do the manufacturers submit one design at a time to some low level person who cannot authorize the final design by themselves and who in turn has to kick it upstairs. Nothing like over complicating things in the US business world.
