CRIME, CRIMINALS, AND INTELLECTUAL THIEVES

By Janet "JJ" Johnson

This is a story of intellectual theft, violated contracts, and public deception by a small number of ripoff artists operating in Australia.

It began with the development of the geodesic dome by Richard Buckminster Fuller, world-famous inventor and futurist. This design has been widely used throughout the world, but was soon found to be wanting in several design parameters.

After researching the geodesic dome design and actually building several of the structures, Dr. Gene Hopster, using advanced computer models, overcame some of the problems inherent in the geodesic design.

Instead of a "bubble" shaped dome -- which made it difficult to incorporate second floor windows, dormers, solar panels -- Hopster introduced a flat area called the trapezoid. This made installation of second floor windows, dormers and installation of inexpensive flat solar panels easy and accurate.

Instead of 45, 60, or 90 small triangles as used in the older geodesic design, Hopster reduced the number to only 24 identical triangles and 3 trapezoids. This made precision a part of the manufacturing process and the result was a structure which does not leak. Instead of the reputation for leaking, such as in the case of the metal-connector Dyna-Dome, the Hexadome(tm) over the past 25+ years has never had a reported leak.

Instead of five openings as in the geodesic design, the Hexadome(tm) has three openings and this saves labor, materials, expenses and provides even more exterior visibility for occupants of the Hexadome(tm) homes.

Because of all these improvements the United States Patent Office issued a patent on the modified geodesic design, thereby stating, in effect, that the Hexadome(tm) was an improvement in the state of the art. Hexadome(tm) was the leader in improved design.

Hopster also received international copyrights, tradename and trademarks, and issued licenses to build the Hexadome(tm) homes in Japan and Australia.

In 1980, Hopster traveled to Adelaide, Australia to teach the construction and uses of the Hexadome(tm) patented system to workers of a company which had licensed the intellectual rights.

Within two years after signing licensing agreements and arranging very low royalty payments this Australian company changed locations without notice to the USA company. This was a violation of the licensing agreement.

And, within this same two year period, the Australian company concealed and then paid no royalty payments of any kind. This was another violation of the licensing agreement.

More violations can be determined by noting that the Australian company continued to use without permission and after receiving written notice to cease and desist any use of international copyrights, patents, tradenames and trademarks, in printed advertising and on the internet world-wide.

These illegal and atrocious actions have not escaped notice by the international community of architects, structural engineers, construction associations and others.

Today this same Australian company continues to advertise on the internet and continues to mislead the public by only associating the Hexadome(tm) with Richard Buckminster Fuller -- deliberately not mentioning the true inventor of the Hexadome(tm), Dr. Gene Hopster.

The name of the true inventor of the Hexadome(tm) concept, Dr. Gene Hopster, is carefully left out of all advertising, both printed and electronic.

All of this has tarnished the reputation of Australian architects, structural engineers, contractors, builders and others associated with the various industries. It has also brought diminished respect to all Australians, as shown by comments from other nations, such as: "What would expect from Australians. Where did they begin?"

We feel this situation should be corrected by bringing the true story of the ripoff scam to the attention of the public in Australia and world-wide.

For background proof of the material presented, the media of Australia has more than adequate evidence. In 1980 the Australian broadcast media, radio and TV, plus newspapers and magazines, all carried the story of the Hexadome(tm)

The full information confirming this ripoff and scam can be seen within the numerous articles and broadcasts produced during 1980 in Australia.

It would seem that Australian newspapers, magazines, radio and TV would be concerned at this obscene illegal use of international copyright ownership, illegal use of tradename and trademarks, since the very foundation of intellectural property rights is so blatantly and obviously ignored by the so-called "Hexadome" company presently located at Kangaroo Island, Australia.

The legal owners and associates will expect action on the part of the Australian media.