[Greg Needel]

I totally disagree with what you are trying to get people to do, the way I interpret what you are saying is "we think our robot is the best and don't want anyone to copy us" Please remember that the "I" in FIRST stands for INSPIRATION.

The fundamental way that people learn and advance in by looking at what others have done before them. It would have been impossible throughout the years for car makers to advance without seeing what the competition was doing. It is this competitive nature which fuels creativity.

While if your robot design is earth shattering there will very likely be copies of it at the championship, I would look at this as an opportunity to improve your design or stratigise how to beat your self by then. In FIRST and in life there will almost always be someone better then you and if you are fortunate enough to be at the top you will always need to keep pushing forward as if you don't others will over take your position.

And remember imitation is the sincerest type of flattery.