{"id":7547,"date":"2022-05-25T10:50:10","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T02:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plasticmoulds.net\/?p=7547"},"modified":"2026-03-10T11:32:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T03:32:29","slug":"comment-faconner-une-piece-en-plastique","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/how-to-cope-a-plastic-part","title":{"rendered":"Comment copier une pi\u00e8ce en plastique"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Copying Replacement Parts Illegal? What You Can Do to Prevent It<\/h1><p><strong>The most frequently asked question is:<\/strong> &#8220;Can we make our replacement parts ourselves, or do we have to purchase parts from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/what-is-the-difference-between-an-oem-and-odm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)<\/a>?&#8221;<\/p><p>Il peut s'agir d'un <a href=\"https:\/\/plasticmoulds.net\/polycarbonate-injection-molding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">polycarbonate moul\u00e9 par injection<\/a> part, or any other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/what-is-plastic-injection-molding.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">plastic injected items<\/a>. It could be expensive, and there could be significant differences in price between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/local-vs-overseas-manufacturing-pros-and-cons-for-injection-molders.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">locally manufactured parts and OEM parts<\/a>. There are also concerns regarding the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/quality-control-101-ensuring-your-chinese-moulded-products-meet-standards.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">quality<\/a> and availability.<\/p><p>Although the answer could be &#8220;yes,&#8221; there are a myriad of issues to be taken into consideration:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Propri\u00e9t\u00e9 intellectuelle<\/strong> \u2014 including patents, registered designs, and copyright<\/li><li><strong>Obligations contractuelles<\/strong> \u2014 agreements between buyer and OEM<\/li><li><strong>Trademarks &amp; misleading conduct<\/strong> \u2014 legal boundaries on branding and representation<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"wp-block-qubely-table-of-contents qubely-block-45baec qubely-block-table-of-contents qubely-align-left\"><div class=\"qubely-table-of-contents\" data-scroll-offset=\"20\"><div class=\"qubely-table-of-contents-header qubely-toc-header-frontend qubely-justify-between\"><div class=\"qubely-table-of-contents-heading\"><div class=\"title\"><strong>Table des mati\u00e8res<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"qubely-table-of-contents-body\"><ol class=\"ordered-list\"><li><a href=\"#1-patents\">Brevets<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-designs-for-registers\">Mod\u00e8les de registres<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-confidential-information\">Confidential Information<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-contractual-clauses\">Contractual Clauses<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-copyright\">Droit d'auteur<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6-trademarks\">Marques d\u00e9pos\u00e9es<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7-misleading-or-deceptive-conduct\">Misleading or Deceptive Conduct<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#8-oem-actions\">Actions des OEM<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><a href=\"#\" class=\"qubely-back-to-top-button fas fa-angle-up\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><p>Here&#8217;s a comprehensive list of issues that need to be addressed when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/injection-molding-design-process.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">designing<\/a> replacement parts.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-style-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/plasticmoulds.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tech-Help.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/plasticmoulds.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tech-Help.png\" alt=\"Key legal considerations when copying OEM replacement parts\" class=\"wp-image-7699\" title=\"Legal issues with copying replacement parts\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tech-Help.png 512w, https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tech-Help-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tech-Help-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Key legal considerations for manufacturing replacement parts<\/figcaption><\/figure><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-patents\">1. Patents<\/h2><p>If you&#8217;re thinking about copying a plastic part, you might want to consider the patents that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/how-to-protect-your-business-in-china.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">protect it<\/a>.<\/p><p>Le composant est-il prot\u00e9g\u00e9 par un brevet ? En r\u00e8gle g\u00e9n\u00e9rale, la fabrication et la vente de pi\u00e8ces destin\u00e9es \u00e0 remplacer une machine ne constituent pas une infraction \u00e0 un brevet, m\u00eame si la machine est couverte par des brevets. La pi\u00e8ce pourrait \u00eatre prot\u00e9g\u00e9e par des brevets. Les droits de brevet peuvent \u00eatre mentionn\u00e9s dans la documentation du produit. Des recherches sur les brevets peuvent \u00eatre effectu\u00e9es en cas de doute.<\/p><p>En g\u00e9n\u00e9ral, la fabrication et la vente de pi\u00e8ces pour une machine n'est pas consid\u00e9r\u00e9e comme une violation de brevet si la machine est d\u00e9j\u00e0 couverte par des brevets. Mais qu'en est-il si la machine est prot\u00e9g\u00e9e par des brevets ? Dans ce cas, il est possible que la pi\u00e8ce soit \u00e9galement prot\u00e9g\u00e9e par des brevets.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group info-callout has-border-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-color:#0073aa;border-width:1px;border-radius:8px;background-color:#f0f7fc;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#x2705; What You Should Do About Patents<\/h3><ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Read the product documentation<\/strong> \u2014 check if patent rights are mentioned.<\/li><li><strong>Check expiration status<\/strong> \u2014 if rights are mentioned, verify whether those patents have expired or been revoked. Some expire after 20 years, others may last up to 30 years.<\/li><li><strong>Conduct a patent search<\/strong> \u2014 if you think there&#8217;s any chance your design has been patented without being mentioned in documentation, search before proceeding with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/12-steps-for-injection-molding-production.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">production<\/a> of any kind.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-designs-for-registers\">2. Designs for Registers<\/h2><p>Are there registered designs for the component? In certain instances, manufacturers can request protection for their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/design-principles-for-plastic-parts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dessins et mod\u00e8les<\/a>. This is particularly true when the shape and function is determined by the location of the machine. In case of doubt, a registered search is a possibility. The defense of a component that was replaced and repaired is also a possibility.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-confidential-information\">3. Confidential Information<\/h2><p>Are any confidential information being used in connection with the manufacturing of the component? Details on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/plastic-material.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">materials<\/a> used and details on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/injection-molding-tolerances-and-their-impact-on-part-quality.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tol\u00e9rances<\/a> in the drawings provided by OEM can be classified as confidential. Information that is retrieved from public sources or analyzed through an analysis of the component is typically not considered to be confidential.<\/p><p><strong>&#x1f4a1; Key Tip:<\/strong> To prevent any accusations of misuse, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/conceptualizing-prototyping-and-preparing-an-injection-molded-product.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reverse engineering<\/a> could be required in certain situations.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-contractual-clauses\">4. Contractual Clauses<\/h2><p>Are there agreements that restrict or require the production of spare parts for the proprietor of the machine or equipment? It is possible to review all applicable clauses. There could be questions concerning enforceability if they are unlawful or infringe on competition. Understanding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/manufacturing-risk-assessment-an-overview.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">manufacturing risk<\/a> is essential when evaluating these agreements.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-copyright\">5. Copyright<\/h2><p>For engineering drawings, copyright is usually in force. It could be an infraction of copyright for anyone to create a three-dimensional replica of the drawing (i.e., making a part in accordance with the drawing).<\/p><p>The Copyright Act provides that it is not unlawful to copyright a portion of an engineering design when the copyright owner or licensee created the piece and then sold it commercially. In these cases, reverse engineering drawings will not be considered to be copyright infringement.<\/p><p><strong>&#x2696;&#xfe0f; Important:<\/strong> This is a field of law that is difficult to navigate and there are some exceptions. The law says that copyright doesn&#8217;t protect the production of machine parts for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/scaling-from-low-volume-to-mass-production-with-china-injection-molding.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mass production<\/a>.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-trademarks\">6. Trademarks<\/h2><p>A spare part manufactured by an individual who is not the trademark proprietor (or licensee) cannot be offered for sale or distributed with the trademark&#8217;s name.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group example-box has-border-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-color:#e0e0e0;border-width:1px;border-radius:8px;background-color:#fafafa;padding-top:16px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:16px;padding-left:16px\"><p><strong>&#x274c; Not Allowed:<\/strong> &#8220;This is an official Toyota part.&#8221;<\/p><p><strong>&#x2705; Allowed:<\/strong> &#8220;This item is specifically intended for use with the Toyota automobile.&#8221;<\/p><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-misleading-or-deceptive-conduct\">7. Misleading or Deceptive Conduct<\/h2><p>A supplier is not able to deceive a client or the public through statements or by omitting information that leads to their customers or anyone else being misled in any way (or the potential of being fooled).<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It&#8217;s misleading and deceiving to state that the parts <strong>are<\/strong> OEM parts or are accepted by an OEM.<\/li><li>If a consumer or the public are deceived, it could be deceitful or misleading to <strong>not disclose information<\/strong> or remain silent.<\/li><\/ul><p>It is crucial to think about the rights of an OEM prior to deciding whether to purchase parts from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/finding-cost-effective-injection-molding-factories-a-global-perspective.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">local suppliers<\/a> instead of an OEM. It&#8217;s possible, provided you meet the appropriate conditions.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-oem-actions\">8. OEM Actions<\/h2><p>It is possible to look at the issue from the perspective of an OEM. But there are additional questions: <em>&#8220;Can I do anything to stop my customers from making spare parts themselves?&#8221;<\/em><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Your Lawyer May Recommend<\/h3><ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>File for protection<\/strong> \u2014 request patents, registrations of designs, and trademarks if required.<\/li><li><strong>Secure confidential information<\/strong> \u2014 implement agreements, appropriate methods, and protocols to protect your private data.<\/li><li><strong>Add contractual restrictions<\/strong> \u2014 but be aware of the law regarding anti-competitive conduct or unlawful restrictions on trade. Familiarize yourself with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/regulatory-standards-in-injection-molding.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">regulatory standards in injection molding<\/a> to stay compliant.<\/li><\/ol><p>It is interesting that when it comes to copied replacement parts, copyright law is only of aid to the OEM with the exception of cases where direct copying of drawings is permitted. In certain cases, it is not considered infringement when the copies were made by reverse engineering.<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\">Conclusion: How Can We Help?<\/h2><p>It&#8217;s all about knowing the legal framework to ensure that both OEM and the customer can make informed choices about what is legal and what is not. There is a possibility of grave consequences if you do it wrong.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group related-reading has-border-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-color:#e8e8e8;border-width:1px;border-radius:8px;background-color:#f5f5f5;padding-top:20px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:20px\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#x1f4da; Related Reading<\/h3><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/custom-plastic-injection-molding-101.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Custom Plastic Injection Molding 101<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/design-for-manufacturability-dfm-in-injection-molding.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Design for Manufacturability (DFM) in Injection Molding<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/how-injection-molding-supply-chains-work.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Injection Molding Supply Chains Work<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/7-tips-to-reduce-the-copy-of-plastic-injection-molding-costs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7 Tips to Reduce Plastic Injection Molding Costs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/boosting-oems-supply-chains-with-reshoring.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Boosting OEM Supply Chains with Reshoring<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/reduce-supplier-risks-in-overseas-injection-molding-partnerships.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reduce Supplier Risks in Overseas Injection Molding Partnerships<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group faq-schema has-border-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-color:#0073aa;border-width:2px;border-radius:10px;background-color:#f9fbfd;padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\">Questions fr\u00e9quemment pos\u00e9es<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I legally manufacture my own replacement parts instead of buying from the OEM?<\/h3><p>Yes, in many cases you can \u2014 but you must consider patent protection, registered designs, copyright on engineering drawings, trademark restrictions, contractual obligations, and confidentiality of OEM data before proceeding. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/what-is-the-difference-between-an-oem-and-odm.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the difference between OEM and ODM<\/a>.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it patent infringement to make a spare part for a patented machine?<\/h3><p>Generally, it is not an infringement to make and sell replacement parts for a machine even if the machine itself is patented. However, the individual part could have its own patent protection. Always conduct a patent search if in doubt.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I use an OEM&#8217;s trademark on my replacement part?<\/h3><p>No. You cannot label a part with an OEM&#8217;s trademark if you are not the trademark owner or licensee. However, you may state that the part is &#8220;intended for use with&#8221; the branded product.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can an OEM do to prevent customers from copying parts?<\/h3><p>OEMs can file for patents and design registrations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/how-to-protect-your-business-in-china.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">protect confidential information<\/a> through agreements and protocols, and add contractual restrictions \u2014 while staying compliant with anti-competition laws.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I reduce costs when sourcing replacement parts?<\/h3><p>You can explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/7-tips-to-reduce-the-copy-of-plastic-injection-molding-costs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proven strategies for reducing injection molding costs<\/a>, compare <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/local-vs-overseas-manufacturing-pros-and-cons-for-injection-molders.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">local versus overseas manufacturing options<\/a>, and ensure your part design follows <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/design-for-manufacturability-dfm-in-injection-molding.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DFM principles<\/a> to avoid unnecessary tooling expenses.<\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is Copying Replacement Parts Illegal? What You Can Do to Prevent ItThe most frequently asked question is: &#8220;Can we make our replacement parts ourselves, or do we have to purchase parts from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)?&#8221;This could refer to a polycarbonate injection molded part, or any other plastic injected items. It could be expensive, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7547","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":6}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7547"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16677,"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7547\/revisions\/16677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plasticmoulds.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}