Here's my two-cents, for what it is worth. (probably about a penny) G If you, as you say, figured this out on your own by coming up with your own approach, etc., and did not base your's on a prototype of Nerds, then I would say ethically you have a right to do with your creation as you choose. If, however, you more or less just copied the idea he originated - or even went so far as to reverse engine his prop - than while you may (or may not) be legally within your right to distribute your prop, I would say that it would be unethical to do so. Like I said, just my two cents.