Anatoly Isaikin, the chief of Russia’s state arms-trading monopoly, Rosoboronexport, has announced that the company will step up action to defend ‘copyright laws’ for Kalashnikov assault rifles produced without license by dozens of manufacturers around the world. Isaikin claims that counterfeit production of Kalashnikov Assault Rifles outside Russia has incurred financial losses, tarnished the brand because of their poor quality and dented Russia’s prestige.
I find this piece of news disturbing. By registration, designs may be protected for a number of years. The exact term is different in different countries. The Kalashnikov Assault rifle, like the American M-16 and the Israeli Uzi submachine gun are all classic pieces of engineering that have been around for long enough that I believe the designs are free for anyone to copy so long as they are marked with the country of origin.
Israel’s Uzi submachine gun, being a favorite of drug cartels, thugs and guerilla armies in general, is also widely copied. I suppose imitation is the best form of flattery.
