Two different 'buying' terms here.  Lockheed didn't construct the items and then sell them to the US government (using taxpayers dollars).  Lockheed was contracted by the government to construct utilitarian items used by governmental agencies (using taxpayer dollars) - which are supposed to be public and open not private and closed.  This is more akin to me going to someone and contracting them to build me a 3D model for pay with stipulations of full disclosure - not me going out and buying a Boeing 777. ;)

Chevrolet and Ford build items and sell them to consumers while retaining all rights and patents.  This is private enterprise.  Lockheed et al are building aircraft and spacecraft under contract for the US government - this is public enterprise.  All that we have to do is stop Congress from passing annual governmental agency funding and Lockheed (et al) would have to earn profits solely from commercial private enterprise.  Do you think they'd renig on some of this hot air ballooning if that occured?

I could see this type of action if the 3D models were accurate in every detail - that might be too much.  But I doubt that even gross details are retained in these models - only the 'look & feel' which is what I suspect they are playing at since no logos, trademarks, or names are used.

My personal view is that the corporations are going a bit overboard (sarcastically stated) with this anal-retentive retention of every possible aspect of their products.  Soon enough, if not already, just using a photograph, painting, or looking at it will cost money.  Next they'll find a way to charge  you for water - oops, already done that.  Protecting designs that can be used to a company's advantage is expected - don't want to just give away a new engine design.  But this isn't about competitive designs is it?

Next thing you know we'll have Germany (or some Neo-Nazi organization) suing every maker of models of Tiger-Panther tanks, Kubelwagens, 88mm guns, the kettle helmet, and Swastika.  Where will it stop?  If you take my photograph, since I own my likeness, you need to pay me an undisclosed sum for any commerical use (in a newspaper, magazine, brochure, book) because you now have my likeness which I can trademark.  Greed is not good.

:shakes head in shame of humans:

Robert

C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot. C++ makes it harder, but when you do, you blow your whole leg off.

 -- Bjarne Stroustrup

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