Don't get me wrong, I do understand the nuances of the design and manufacturing world, it's just China has been known for its blatant copies regardless of patents. Then there is the typical practice of a blatantly copied and pasted photo of "the product" which bears little to no resemblance to the actual product..
I just meant that it might be exactly the same in the manner suggested, but if you're not in a hurry then at the risk of it being utterly ****, you could take a punt at their £4 Inc postage adverts...
Totally agree, there are plenty of blatant counterfeits out of China, there is little recognition or regard for US or European patents. What I consider to be underhand is to brand a copy with the name of the original designer and sell it as such. We’ve all seen the counterfeit Benchmade and Spyderco knives, and that’s not on. Other than that, Chinese business doesn’t really acknowledge owning a design. A few changes, or the same product repackaged as Tatonka, Tomshoo, Lixada, Firemaple, Alpkit is just the norm, and like you say, they are probably exactly the same. My guess is from the same factory.
I see no point, from a business point of view, for anyone to set up the tooling for the manufacture of a copy of this stove. But I do see the financial opportunity, particularly at a bushcraft show where people will gladly part with a bit of cash on a day out and trying your luck at £50 a pop.
The charlatan Tim Noble has been selling cheap rubbish Damascus bushie knives at bushcraft shows and country fairs for years. Advertised as handmade but made in Pakistan from old pot steel and costing him next to nothing. And they sell like wooden reindeer at a Christmas fair.
Caveat Emptor