R22 and previous year's design

[2011FRC2973]

The examples for R22 pretty clearly explain that parts fabricated prior to kickoff cannot be used and the limits on modifications made prior to kickoff to existing designs, but it doesn't explain what to do about designs from previous year's competitions that are used unmodified. For example, if you designed an omni wheel for 2010 within the rules for that year and want to use the same design for 2011, the design is the design - you can't un-design it and then design it new for this year.

The same concern applies if I were to ask for and receive a design from another team who designed a component for a previous year.

Can you please explain what (if anything) we need to do to use an existing design from another year to fabricate hardware for this year?

[GDC]

Parts may not be reused. Designs may be re-manufactured provided they're public domain e.g. the definition of COTS, Example 3.