Should I tempt fate by releasing this video?

I removed the labels as they did have the company's name on them.

Big Clive

It sounds like the reason you were caught out last time was because the name of the Dutch company was on them but they were fake. Was the Dutch company's name still on these but you took the labels off or did the labels not mention it's name. If the labels did mention its name then I guess you are still involved in giving some 'publicity' for the fake products. If not then probably okay. It's a pity that manufacturers don't go after those selling the fakes. I guess you were any easy target. So my gut feel is just leave it as a Patreon video for now if the label had their name on it. Now's probably not the time for added hassle.

John Russell

I think the fact that you tell this is acceptable for home use would get them aggravated again, don't publish, unless you show the knockoffs are totally worthless. I could call the dutch company to try and get them to participate in this.

I would vote for publishing it. I think YouTube will have your back on this one, you're obviously in the right. It's not illegal to show how things are made, even if they are fakes.

Kristian Høy Horsberg

Looks as innocuous as it can get, to me. No brand names, no promotions, just a big guy taking random things to bits. That's why I love this channel :-)

Phillip Cosgrove

Yeah. You do have to consider it in terms of potential downtime and damage through failure.

Big Clive

I've covered the Wago clone connectors. Including the ones they don't even make, but should have.

Big Clive

But then the lawyers have won :-(

Berkeloid

don't mess with fake Knipex or Wago... (and removing the lables does not protect you). But perhaps put a label "china imported danger" on the products while showing them. Nobody will be able to claim that you are doing "promotion".

Andreas Dorfer

Even the originals or not waterproof. We have about fourteen in or installation and the are all falling becaus there is getting water in the body and rust all the contacts and then the fail. So now we change them to a other style of switch.

I think you're safe to publish... who knows, maybe the sales guy from the Dutch company will get you some samples to take apart and see the differences :-)

Matt Enwright

I say publish it if there's no mention of the brand. I always wait until the release of a vid on the public channel so I haven't watched it. I only watch the Vids where you mention that it isn't going to be released through the Patreon email.

Shaun Runham

Don't give the legal people even a toehold. But if you can publish, do.

Mike Page

Hi Clive, we use hundreds of the rotary actuator limit switches in all our hazardous areas. One type is a Honeywell, the other a Schneider Electronics, and all in multiple configurations. Due to the IP rating needed you don't get any change out of $4-500 each. When Teflon is used in a lot of moving parts we have to use this style as inductive sensors don't work. You sure wouldn't allow that switch you have control $10 million pieces of machinery. Cheers mate

Mike Wynne

Only you can know the consequences of getting another channel strike, but if you've had one before for the same issue (albeit withdrawn) then a second one might be more difficult to shake off. Video looks fine, but I'm not an IP lawyer.

Mark Gray

Don't do it Clive, it's not worth the hassle of litigation etc during an already stressful times. And don't risk your income from YouTube either.

The fact that you are warning people off using them for anything but prototyping or low impact purposes should be a benefit to the original manufacturer. You are pointing out their short-comings and the risk incurred due to the questionable materials used. I think you are covered. Perhaps a title that reflects your concerns would help.

I'm in two minds whether to publish or not. Main con is if the original company puts in another complaint, it could cause problems for the page. On the other hand, the original company name isn't mentioned and labels have been removed. With the whole saga explained by Clive, if the original manufacturer view the video, they'll hear Clive advising on the possible dangers of using clones and recommending using the originals.

John Carr

Without the label I don't see how you could have a problem with it. However your supporters might appreciate the name and if that happens in the comments, so be it.

Jim

I don't see why you shouldn't publish it. You are very clear about what they are and why should not very used as replacement of the original ones. And you don't even mention brands or links to eBay. An amateur would never buy the original brand, they are way too expensive for personal projects, so none is being hurt here. And as last resort, if you get asked to take it out of YouTube, do it immediately and leave the copy at Lbry.

elias

Channel Strike Clive? On what grounds? The abuse of the takedown/copyright system on youtube is getting utterly ridiculous these days!

Chewie

No brand name mentioned, I say publish.

Colin Jones

Then he'd have to stop posting on YouTube altogether!

Thinking back to the mountains of documentation I had to implement across a leading UK switch manufacturing company when they implemented BS 5750 ISO 9000 & 9001 & BS 3939. Kite marks are stamped on switches for a very good reason. Keep up the excellent work!

Andrew Donaldson

Yeah I don't know if I'd use one in a critical application either, but its fun to watch somebody else take one apart for a change!

Michael Thompson

If they resemble the original IP protected/patented switches it could be a problem, not sure I'd risk it!

LANDLINEMAN.com

Not worth the risk. dont bother

No IP rating. The seal is a loose fit. I wouldn't be using it near liquids.

Big Clive

They sell theirs for about £60 each from UK industrial suppliers. Plus tax!

Big Clive

I removed the labels from these switches.

Big Clive

Don't do anything that could take your channel down, it's not worth it.

Private Private

Maybe the Dutch company was actually selling the knock-off switches under their own brand & didn't want you showing the insides of the clones. Too easy for people to compare their "Official" units...

Scott Miller

If you could do it over, I would suggest taking them them apart, spraying the body pieces pink, reassembling, and then make a video! I think what you have seems fair. As long as you don't link to the clones or promote them. You did a good job stating that they are for hobby use only.

Davin Desborough

Hard to say, the fact you mentioned it is clone object and gave reasons to not trust it in industrial applications. In my mind your good to post it. I would leave the real company name out of it unless they give you the ok. Seeing how they are a little touchy.

Coil B

On the (removed) label, did it give an IP Rating? The seal looked plastic not oil resistant material... What was the load switching capacity? Those contacts were not plated... Horror copy!

I have used the style switches of drilling rigs too count pump strokes. I am kinda amazed they are still covered under a patent, it was the complaint that you used their trademarked name on a video that was about a clone of their product? If the problem was the trademark issue, I think they handled that poorly, if it was me I would have contacted you informing you it was a counterfeit and asked you to point it out and then ask if you would be interested in doing a comparison against the real thing. In mean one of those for a ton of publicity would have been better than annoying a bunch of potential customers... Just saying, but I guess litigators gonna litigate. I think not using a name and being very clear it's purchased from a less than reliable Chinese seller should be enough to placate anyone as your not directly commenting on what is perceived to be there product.

Michael Wellman

If they do get you another channel strike I hope you do a follow up video shaming them, because if they have a problem with clones they should go after the factories producing them, not the messenger. Seems like the Streisand Effect waiting to happen.

Berkeloid

Crikey, back in the mid 80's Telemecanique sold these for shed-loads more (paler blue) V. good quality though! I think you have covered all legal bases, don't compromise your channel though, over a less interesting electro-mechanical device.

Probably a good idea to get the real one too and compare it favourably against the copy. Then it's a review and criticism.

evilution

I would love to see this video. I've got a small CNC converted mill out in the garage, and the limit switches currently are just plain snap action micro switches. Sealed switches such as these would be a huge improvement.

Paul Ste. Marie

Yeah, keep this one patron-only for a while, that way it's not caught in the flag-spree.

NightshadeLenar

Perhaps keep this one in the tank for the moment while YouTube is saying they are removing/flagging more content due to the current situation. It may be more troublesome to deal with sorting it out if someone gets touchy.

Jason Brinkerhoff

Maybe they got grumpy last time if there was a cloned, almost-real label? These are just unidentified switches. Not sure they’d take you up on the offer though, sounds like salesdroid is paranoid about future sales if they think customers could be aware of a similar drop-in replacement, though pretty much everyone in the world should be aware now that there are inexpensive “options” from China on any number of components. Maybe this was during a simpler time?

The Griffiths Family

Absolutely ! The world must know about bargains like this. You make it very clear about their limitations with regards to commercial use and liability, very handy for the hobbyist as long as they remain wary of the build quality and safety..