Paul at Connaught responded to my query about the SBS by saying he did not believe the patent dispute would come to anything, that it was not beIng discontinued, and that he has plenty in stock. So different story from Italian Barber and the other North American distributors (Inc Maggard and Shave Nation) apparently facing potential litigation from Rockwell's suits. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Two thoughts, first of all Rockwell's patent doesn't mean anything in the UK. They would have to file for a separate patent there. Secondly, I don't think retailers would be party to the case. Seems to me it would be strictly a case against Ikon for patent infringement. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Yes on the first point. On the second my understanding was that cease and desist orders were issued to the distributors. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
First, I know nothing about international patents so the following is truly a question. I believe Rockwell is a Canadian company, so do their patents hold up in the US? I thought most countries recognized each others patents. Wouldn't it be a mess if you had to have a patent issued in every county in which you wanted to sell a product? Just asking.
I believe they filed for a U.S.patent. And no, countries don't honor each other's patents. If you want protection in said country you must apply for a patent there. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
They filed for US patent in 2014 and it was published as approved March 2016. Copy here https://drive.google.com/file/d/12RZqmvt5SAhShC4ITloCmtFTGOYwlTpw/view?usp=drivesdk Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Isn't Greg from iKon still in Thailand? Probably doesn't affect him at all. He probably does not care either. I kinda agree with him. He started the whole custom stainless DE market years before 99.99% of the razors you see now were an idea in someone's mind. I think I still have one of his original Progress knobs that he started with. I think I paid $15 around or before 2008 when he went under the moniker PureSlab on B&B
H He's his own guy. I have had nice email exchanges with him. He is very knowledgeable on old DE designs and you can see that in his own models. I'm still waiting on that all stainless Apollo Micron design he teased years back. Maybe one day
The last German patent would have expired about 40 years ago so yeah, I think that would work. Sign me up. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
It really doesn't matter who was first or who Rockwell decides to sue over patents. Rockwell C's are sourced from China. Once their supplier decides to copy that design Rockwell better run for cover because nothing will stop their production & sales. I see another Viking debacle in the making.
Prior art makes the patent invalid in the US. Case and point the Bohin razor which has a reversible base plate with 4 different gaps and an adjustable blade exposure feature built into the razor.
I wonder how much Segal spent to "win" the legal battle with Gillette over the adjustable TTO DE. There are indirect costs in a patent fight -- like losing distribution -- that may be much more costly than the legal fees. Gillette also ultimately lost the challenge to its Probak blade patent but possession of the defective patent kept competition at bay for a long time. Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
Yeah and squeeze you on the price and supply effectively putting you out of business if you don't have a back up supplier on hand. This why even if you do have 2 or more independent suppliers lined up you still need to always be able to shift production in house as a fall back option. It already has been copied https://suppaparts.com/Safety-Razor.php $90 shipped Fed-Ex and made out of titanium. Beat that for value. Performance I wouldn't know never having used it.