There are origami models that look the same put their underlying construction is different. Is this a new model or an "inspired by" model. Can the creator claim credit? Is this a case of simultaneous creation or imitation? Would that make a difference? not to start the very old copyright discussion again but: in patent law there are to theories on chemical patents - Product Patents vs. Process Patents. Interpretations vary on which is granted. Under process patents only the exact method of producing the chemical. The end results can sometimes be achieved by other methods to achieve the exact same chemical. In origami, you can produce similar looking end products with different constructions methods which I would consider novel, new and deserving credit. There are many models that can be produced by altering the folding sequence - in many cases simplifying the model and making it easier to fold. These I do not consider novel, new or deserving credit. They should be still credit to the original creator.
Just another side question, if I see a model that is an independent simultaneous creation in a foreign publication years after the original - should I notify the publication? Mark Kennedy
