ORIGINAL: stumax
They can't copyright the word "lightning" as it is a word already in everyday use in the English language. I understand copyright infringement on designs to be avoided by deviating by +-15% from the outline. I'm not sure if this applies to the shape in any scale, however, so by shrinking their original (obviously by more than 15% for our use!) shape we may have avoided infringing, but I somehow doubt it. BTW, just because someone has copyright to something doesn't mean their claim to copyright can't be challenged and beaten if you have the resources. I used to have a lot of respect for Lockheed for creating some of the world's most innovative fighters but I really don't know what they think they will gain from this - it's not like someone is going to make fullsize replica F22's for sale in Mexico.......
I tend to agree that this action by Loochkeed may be iffy. Wish I still have access to a patent dept. One point may be protecting a registered trade mark (TM). I understand the rule of using a TM always with a common noun to prevent it becoming generic; eg. Nylon plastic, Coke softdrink. So accordingly, can we use model of P-38?
Cheers, Phil