Axis lock patent?

It is not legal for other companies to use the axis lock without permission.

From a KnifeCenter ad:

Model 710 was designed by custom knife makers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams and premiers Benchmade's patented AXIS™ lock which was also designed by Bill and Jason. It looks simple enough, and it is, but it's the end result of a lot of hard work and perseverance by Bill and Jason, over the course of 4 years. The AXIS™ lock is totally ambidextrous and allows for easy one-handed opening and closing of the blade without your fingers ever being in the path of the blade. The design is very intuitive to operate with little or no instruction needed on how the lock functions.

AXIS® A patented Benchmade exclusive, ...
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I don't know that Benchmade holds the patent or leases the right held by McHenry Williams.
 
The way it's worded makes it sound like Benchmade owns the patent.

"features Benchmade's patented AXIS lock"

That would only make sense if Bill and Jason were working for Benchmade, or if they just sold the rights.
 
I believe SOG and Cold Steel both paid BM a certain royalty to use a similar lock.
 
One little tweek and POOF it is not a Axis it is a ..............arc lock. You just better have enough money to battle benchmades lawyers.
cncpro I can't look at your avitar.It freaks me out!:D
 
Esav Benyamin said:
It is not legal for other companies to use the axis lock without permission.

From a KnifeCenter ad:



I don't know that Benchmade holds the patent or leases the right held by McHenry Williams.
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I believe they were asked to design a knife specifically to feature benchmade's axis lock.
 
It's unknown whether or not the Chinese knock-off "companies" like Ganzo, Enlan, or Sanrenmu actually legally use the AXIS lock or not. They come from the same factories that Benchmade (and other companies) use to produce their inexpensive, import knives, so some people leap to the assumption that they have permission to use patented or trademarked features from those companies (like Spyderco's round opening hole). But seeing how those "companies" are so quick to copy designs from whomever they choose, including companies that they don't manufacture for, I have my doubts regarding any sort of permission or licensing.
 
Planterz said:
It's unknown whether or not the Chinese knock-off "companies" like Ganzo, Enlan, or Sanrenmu actually legally use the AXIS lock or not. They come from the same factories that Benchmade (and other companies) use to produce their inexpensive, import knives, so some people leap to the assumption that they have permission to use patented or trademarked features from those companies (like Spyderco's round opening hole). But seeing how those "companies" are so quick to copy designs from whomever they choose, including companies that they don't manufacture for, I have my doubts regarding any sort of permission or licensing.
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It seems like you're leaping to the assumption Benchmade has a patent for the axis lock in China.
 
I don't think the Chinese BMs used the axis, just the rolling lock.

Doug Ritter also clarifies that the lock was developed by the makers, then BM purchased the rights http://www.equipped.com/pop_up_axis_lock.htm

McHenery and Williams spent four years developing the lock and getting it patented. Benchmade Knife Comapany bought the rights and tagged the new lock with the moniker "AXIS Lock."
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kreole said:
It seems like you're leaping to the assumption Benchmade has a patent for the axis lock in China.
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I don't claim to be an expert on international patent laws. Especially when it comes to China, which tends to ignore such laws at their leisure. That said, even the nomenclature of the knives made by those "companies" refers to such knives as having an "AXIS" lock, which is a registered trademark (®) of Benchmade.

If you have anything from Benchmade, or any other company that uses patented or trademarked designs that Chinese "companies" like Enlan, Ganzo, or Sanrenmu are using, that says that they have permission or license to use such designs, I'd love to read it.
 
flatblackcapo said:
One little tweek and POOF it is not a Axis it is a ..............arc lock. You just better have enough money to battle benchmades lawyers.
cncpro I can't look at your avitar.It freaks me out!:D
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You should see my mom$-)

Regarding China, I have heard that in order for companies to take advantage of the cheap labor force, they must give up certain rights, including patents on products produced in the country.
 
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I checked it some time ago in a patent database, and AFAIK axis lock is patented by Benchmade in the USA and in few European countries.
Do not forget that Benchmade does not manufacture knives with axis lock in China.
 
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