I dont see much that i would be infringing on so i should be good there and if not i will see if UST can market it since they are holders of the patents.

Well, maybe you could market it as a modification service instead of selling the modified items. I have seen that some guys modify knives and various gear and of course charge for that. I don't know whether they had to ask the manufacturer for the permission first though.

Sybert - Go to law school so you can sort all these guys out.

On that subject matter, going to law school, if you're someplace near a law school search the name of that law school and "Intellectual Property Clinic" if the law school has an "IP" clinic (there are about six in the US) then they'll likely meet with you free of charge to at least discuss your idea preliminarily.

Even if you're not near an IP clinic, go to the yellow pages, or talk to your folks, if there's a local attorney who does IP work (ideally patent work, so (s)he's a patent agent) it would not hurt to call that person and see if you might be able to have a free half hour or hour to learn a bit about patents and your situation specifically. They may be kind enough to donate an hour of their time in hopes of you having a novel enough idea to patent an improvement or innovation and the future revenue they'd earn taking you through that process.

Good luck.

Thanks guys! I doni think they can call dibs on this because I will do a Poor Man's CopyRight, I do not know how good those work but, If I have problems like mentioned above, i would petition UST's products, although great and made in USA. I need my grandpa to finish the other parts but hopefully soon I can get everything worked out. Thanks for all the help, If i get a couple copies of the finished product, its going to you guys first!!

Copyright only applies to created works (stories, scripts, music, video, pictures, graphics, etc.), not to manufactured items. (And applies from the moment of creation. Formal registration of it is not required.)

A Patent is what restricts others from duplicating a physical object. And often covers modifications to and derivations of that item.

If this shows any sign of becoming more than a hobby, you'd be well advised to talk to people that know the laws before anyone comes knocking.

CTB ("Covereth Thy Backside").

This is the entirely wrong place to come for legal matters. There has already been a good bit of misinformation. I'd suggest anyone with any concern or concern that they should be concerned talk to an attorney. For example, a copyright applies immediately, and no registration is required, but generally your suit against someone over an unregistered copyright won't get you where you'd like to be.

If any of this seems like it could maybe pertain to you, talk to an attorney.

OK, lots of information! I will arrange to talk to a lawyer monday and hopefully find out what is/isn't lagal and change it. Or manufacture it at home, all for myself *wink wink! I dont think I should have many problems, I actually need this hands on experience to become an Industrial Designer, not to be mistaken with Interior Designer! Thank you everybody!