US Thermal MFX 2705 Field Water Heater

[YurtGuy]

It looks like US Thermal is out of business though.

 

[Tinstar]

Then it converts to public domain.
Their statement just says a fancy "NO" about sharing it.
It does not have a copyright or anything that is upheld by law.

 

[Guyfang]

Do we have a lawyer in the house! I want to go with that. But am not sure its correct. Let me try and ask someone who might know.

 

[Guyfang]

This is what the hobby ambulance chaser sent me:

Intellectual Property Law
What Happens to Copyright When a Company Closes?
When a business closes, its copyrights are treated like any other asset. Understand the legal processes that determine how ownership is transferred or reassigned.

Published Jan 28, 2026

When a company stops doing business, its copyrights do not automatically expire or enter the public domain. Instead, copyright is legally recognized as a form of intangible property. Because it is considered property, it can be sold, assigned, or given to new owners. Ownership can also be changed through exclusive licensing agreements that give a new party specific rights to the work.

 

[Tinstar]

The manual does not have a copyright.
If it did, it would say that, as required by law, in that statement.

 

[Guyfang]

This came from the Para Legal:
Written documents from a bankrupt company, even if not officially registered for copyright, are considered part of the company's assets and fall under the control of a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee or liquidator. The trustee manages, sells, or disposes of these records to satisfy debts to creditors.
Here is what typically happens to those documents:

• Treatment as Assets: Intellectual property rights—including copyright, which applies automatically upon creation regardless of registration—are treated as company property that can be sold, auctioned, or transferred to creditors.
• Controlled by Trustee: The trustee takes possession of all books, papers, and records, including electronic data. They are obliged to review these for value, particularly for identifying, collecting, or selling company assets.
• Potential for Sale or Transfer: If the documents have value (e.g., client lists, proprietary research, unpublished works), they may be sold to a third party.
• Destruction or Abandonment: If the documents are deemed to have no value or are too costly to store, the trustee may destroy them or abandon them.
  • Note: Abandoned documents are often treated as "confidential waste" and destroyed, but this can lead to issues if those documents are later needed for litigation.
• "Bona Vacantia" (Crown/State Property): In some jurisdictions, if a company is dissolved and has not disposed of its assets (including intellectual property), those rights may pass to the state (Bona Vacantia).
• Confidentiality: Trustees must ensure that records, especially those containing personal or confidential information, are handled securely and disposed of as confidential waste.

Special Considerations

• Uncopyrighted/Public Domain: Even if a document is not protected by a formal copyright, it may still be protected as a trade secret or confidential business information.
• Electronic Data: Data on hard drives or in the cloud is also subject to the same liquidation or destruction process.
• Return of Records: In some cases, at the discretion of the trustee, a former owner might be allowed to collect records at their own expense.

 

[Guyfang]

This brings up the question of, Is the company bankrupt? Of did the close the doors for another reason. OR, how do we know if its even closed? Anyone try calling the number?

This statement is the problem, according to the Para Legal. Even if they are out of business, they still own it.
View attachment 962350

 

[Tinstar]

I stand corrected!

Thanks for digging into that issue.
I learn something new everyday

 

[SCSG-G4]

I just realized that a long time ago I had one of those shower units and had been looking for parts. Did a search on my computer and found the following:
4 ea Shower Curtain T2710-10WI

Off the top of my head I can offer you a ballpark in pricing. Shower
curtains are $75.00 each,

Walter Stevenson (wally)
US Thermal, Inc.
9846 Crescent Park Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069
WHS3RD@zoomtown.com
513-777-7763 ph.
513-777-7761 fax

Never be arrogant.
Don't waste ammunition.
Alcohol makes you think you're smarter than you are.
Don't mess with old men, they didn't get old by being stupid.

 

[Mullaney]

I just realized that a long time ago I had one of those shower units and had been looking for parts. Did a search on my computer and found the following:
4 ea Shower Curtain T2710-10WI

Off the top of my head I can offer you a ballpark in pricing. Shower
curtains are $75.00 each,

Walter Stevenson (wally)
US Thermal, Inc.
9846 Crescent Park Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069
WHS3RD@zoomtown.com
513-777-7763 ph.
513-777-7761 fax

Never be arrogant.
Don't waste ammunition.
Alcohol makes you think you're smarter than you are.
Don't mess with old men, they didn't get old by being stupid.

.
I love your tagline!!

 

[SCSG-G4]

.
I love your tagline!!

That was HIS tagline on HIS e-mail!

 

[Guyfang]

You know, in post 29 is a email address for a guy named Wally. I suppose I could write him and ask whats the deal with the company and if we could get the rights to the document.

 

[Mullaney]

You know, in post 29 is a email address for a guy named Wally. I suppose I could write him and ask whats the deal with the company and if we could get the rights to the document.

.
That would be a heck of a nice gesture...

 

[Guyfang]

Its done. We will see if it brings an answer.

 

[Mullaney]

Its done. We will see if it brings an answer.

.
Thanks @Guyfang !