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[Bugbear]

Paul, I am sorry to say that your assessment of Scots Law and the Scottish Law Courts and their jurisdiction is flat out wrong.

Actually, there is a law* to prevent one usurping the heraldic rights of others, and while the jurisdiction of that law may be limited to the geographic entity of Scotland, it none the less exists. Were one to flaunt the law in Scotland one could very well find oneself hauled before the Court of the Lord Lyon and not only fined, but the offending article would be taken away and defaced.

Now it is true that the offense can only occur if the design (in this instance salmon buttons) is so similar to that of the badge of Argyll that, to the average man, they would appear to be the same. If the attitude of the salmon (the posture in which it is depicted) is different (leaping, as opposed to stretched out as though being served on a platter) then one could probably successfully argue that no offense has been committed, and in all likelihood the Court would agree. But that final decision would be up to the Court, who has absolute jurisdiction in these matters.

You may think it nonsense in London, but it is the law in Scotland.

*Statute 1596, cap. 125, and 1672, cap. 47, and 1669, cap. 95 clearly spell out the authority and jurisdiction of the Court of the Lord Lyon.

That begs the question... If the Duke of Argyll or MacLean of Duart has my buttons and me hauled before the Court of the Lord Lyon, then the Court of the Lord Lyon decides, "you have to be kidding, those aren't salmon buttons they are clearly catfish." What, if anything happens to the Duke of Argyll or MacLean of Duart?

Just for reference, I am used to the U.S. way of things.