Vinry_.: Are helmet designs copyrighted? To be more specific, I would like to use the example of the Master Chief helmet from the Halo franchise. The helmet looks quite simple in my opinion, to the point that it resembles MTX helmets. So I'm wondering whether copyright laws' protection extends to those really simple designs like the Master Chief helmet?
As befitting a thread of random questions, you get an answer by a random person with no background in law.
It seems that minor, incremental improvements are worthy of copyright and extend the copyright duration.
Winnie the pooh with no clothes or Mickey Mouse looking exactly like Steamboat Mickey - no longer in copyright.
Winnie the pooh in a red shirt or Mickey Mouse wearing white gloves? Disney will kill your dog and burn your house down.
Or it could be a trademark issue. Ask a random question, get a random answerer.