why can't you patent it?
Copyright doesn't work for products as such, at least in the sense I think you mean. Copyright protects the reproduction of a creative form.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 11:50, 2 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

Because it's a shit idea and he doesn't want to get laughed at.
Also, he stole it from someone else.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 11:52, Reply)

I bet he stole it from TRL
he's always making awesome stuff and not at all tacky stained glass stuff.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 11:54, Reply)

I heard he was so sexy when he was making stained glass stuff that loads of women threw themselves on his blow torch and died horribly.

(Bazongaloid, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 11:55, Reply)

but did they die before or after he arrived at the ex hooker's house?

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 11:57, Reply)

A couple died straight away
one hung on for about 4 days but he had just heaved her into a ditch and left her so it was pretty unpleasant.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 12:00, Reply)

It's the PERFECT glass for throwing a cat through.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 12:48, Reply)

Several reasons for not patenting
Each part of the thing/system I've developed is well-known so, the 'prior art' portion of patent law is immediately deployed. I could get over this bit with £25k to argue it in court and I'm not sure I'd win, not because I think I'm wrong but those that would oppose the patent are multinationals - better lawyers and bottomless pockets.
I'm looking at the same sort of protection that Novax got for their 'Fanned fret' idea - there were loads of 'prior art' arguments but they still managed to get protection which meant they could charge royalties to everyone using the system.
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 12:19, Reply)

That's still a patent not copyright.
And I'm afraid it doesn't matter who you're up against, it'll cost you tens to hundreds of thousands to produce and defend a patent IF the thing you've protected is actually worth anything. It's thousands just to even submit one.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 28 Jun 2012, 13:28, Reply)