Cease and desist from Zoom Baits

[andrewlamberson]

I deal with Patent issues (and trademark and copyright) issues everyday at work....and believe me...there are a lot of bully's out there that use their patent like a club....even when they know you are not infringing.

We're dealing with a patent infringement case right now where we are being sued in China...by a German company...that had the patent rejected in every other country (including the US and the EU) where they filed it. What really t's me off is they won't settle ...even after we proved to them (and soon to the court) that we were practicing the claims of the patent for more that 5 years before they filed....and we have product in a GM car...3 years before they filed the patent!

But like Denny said...they have the right to sue.

Bottom line for my company is that we won't be bullied no matter how much it costs us! And no...when we win...we won't be able to recover our costs (which have a LOT of 000's behind them!!!). "Cost of Business"!

But Zoom needs to be careful...they have some significant patent violations on their packaging (you can't claim a patent after it expires on your packaging) no matter how much packaging you have "in stock"!!! BIG FINES!!- It would serve the Bully right !

But...all the above being said....maybe (maybe!) the bait does utilize a claim on the patent...and if so...they have every right to protect their investment. But if they are sending out letters just to discourage others from doing business.....shame on them (and where are the Anti-trust and Patent Office people when you need them!).

Just out of curosity...how much market share does Zoom have I wonder???

[Jason]

It will all work out the way it should.  It will get reviewed by the right people, companies will talk, it will be resolved.  I think everyone knows my personal view on knocking off someones bait / intellectual property.  I don't have a crystal ball that predicts the future, but I think everything will be fine.  We are going to do the leg work on this and will report back.  We just need to wait while the wheels turn.

Jason

[ghostbaits]

I doubt this really is about sales of a product. Zoom has some good lawyers that probably cant allow anything close to go by. If they didn't pursue some, it may set a precedence in later cases.

Hopefully there will be an amicable result.

Jim

[MonteSS]

Is there a way to find out what baits have a patent on them? Do most of the big companies patent there baits?  Is senko patented?

I dont think an entire bait can be Patented. It;s a unique feature of the bait that can be. In this case the raised ridge on the appendage.

I still wonder how Strike King Rage products got a patent approved for such a similar thing that Zoom patented.

Actually I am wondering how either got their patent approved for a feature like that

...Bill

[superharmonix]

Hello friends.  I was just reading through some old posts and found this one.  I remember this, but never heard the end.  Did this ever get some pants put on it in any way? 

(and yes, I know this post is 3 years old....   ...I have a little to much time on my hands in this season... )

[Do-It Corp.]

Hello friends.  I was just reading through some old posts and found this one.  I remember this, but never heard the end.  Did this ever get some pants put on it in any way? 

(and yes, I know this post is 3 years old....   ...I have a little to much time on my hands in this season... )

Fun trip down memory lane.

We reached out to several parties and never received a response from anyone.

[superharmonix]

I thought that may have been the case.  Thanks!