Benchmade threatens Rogue Bladeworks to stop making Bailout scales

[King of the Cheese]

A lot of opinions, not a a lot of lawyers.

Here we go again

I'm a lawyer but not a patent lawyer but,

Then why mention being a lawyer at all?

from what little I know, any company that does not protect its patent (or trademark, like McDonalds) will lose it.

They haven’t gone after anyone else for any other aftermarket scales.

From what I read, Benchmade is just trying to protect its patent, which it is legally entitled and OBLIGATED to do.

Yes, we are aware Benchmade sent a C&D

There is not doubt that if any company making scales for use w/any Benchmade product based on the exact design of that product is "probably" violating Benchmade's patent for that product.

So, I really have not problem w/what BM is doing.

What Rogue Bladeworks (or any other company) can do if it wants to make scales for Bugouts is to "negotiate" a licensing agreement fw/BM which entitled them to make those products for a specific fee.

Yeah, because Benchmade would really go for that.

Making scales w/o such an agreement is bascially stealing from BM and, if you'all don't like they way that "foreign"companies do this, you should like it when US companies do it either.

CNCing scales that fit another company’s knives isn’t much different than making pocket clips and screws. I have no issue with “foreign companies” making aftermarket scales (see Flytanium sourcing). I have an issue with foreign companies making copies of the entire knife.

 

[Danny Linguini]

People are ignoring the fact that these particular scales are no longer listed on Rogue’s web site. I don’t know when the last time was that they were listed, but they aren’t there now. If Rogue thought they had any kind of an argument, seems to me they’d have left them up while they were fighting the C&D. The fact that Rogue took them down tells me they agree with Benchmade on this, and they’ll either work something out with BM to keep selling them, as sgt1372 suggested, or just stop selling them. I don’t see anything to suggest BM is looking to shut down a whole aftermarket segment, just something unique about these particular scales that infringe on one of their patents. You don’t like Benchmade for whatever reasons, that’s fine. But it certainly appears that we’re talking about a company justifiably protecting its own IP here, not Mike Stewart level BS.

 

[Malty Falcon]

I'm shocked by all the hating on Benchmade. Appears that well over a dozen members just look for the name in a thread's title so they can declare how "over" Benchmade they are. And to attack Benchmade for defending their own intellectual property, as in this case, is pretty ignorant. Every for-profit company in the world should protect their BRAND, just like Benchmade is in this case. That is the essence of CAPITALISM.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I'm shocked by all the hating on Benchmade. Appears that well over a dozen members just look for the name in a thread's title so they can declare how "over" Benchmade they are. And to attack Benchmade for defending their own intellectual property, as in this case, is pretty ignorant. Every for-profit company in the world should protect their BRAND, just like Benchmade is in this case. That is the essence of CAPITALISM.

If this was a case of a company making a copy of BM’s knives…a lot of us would sing a different tune. But because BM is going after aftermarket parts and not a ripped off design, I stand where I stand.

 

[Silent H]

They haven’t gone after anyone else for any other aftermarket scales.

Because they have a specific problem with one specific set of scales, and somebody decided to make this letter public. Do you really think you hear every little thing that goes on in the knife industry regarding IP issues? You don't simply because it's usually a private discussion between two companies.

Clearly by your own logic, this isn't Benchmade trying to destroy the aftermarket parts industry, just an issue with one set of scales made by one maker.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

I'm shocked by all the hating on Benchmade. Appears that well over a dozen members just look for the name in a thread's title so they can declare how "over" Benchmade they are. And to attack Benchmade for defending their own intellectual property, as in this case, is pretty ignorant. Every for-profit company in the world should protect their BRAND, just like Benchmade is in this case. That is the essence of CAPITALISM.

Like I said, this forum loves hating on Benchmade for no good reason.

 

[Hackenslash]

They helped the local cops destroy hunks of junk that no gun owner would want anyway. Would you buy rusty pieces of junk some crook had sweat all over from carrying it in his waistband? Most criminals aren't known for good gun maintenance, I doubt many even own a cleaning kit. If you really want a rusty janky gun that hasn't seen a cleaning rod since it was stolen there are still plenty out there and they're paperwork free. Besides, everybody knows the cops keep the good stuff or get first dibs at an auction.

Dude, this is way too logical for a Benchmade hate fest.

I keep waiting for one of the 2A haters to show me on the doll where Benchmade hurt them. Benchmade has always been polarizing, but their cooperation with local LA to help destroy confiscated, low value firearms ramped the vitriol to 11.

As others have said, this is best left to between Rogue and Benchmade. None of us being parties to the action, the best we can offer is speculation.

 

[King of the Cheese]

Because they have a specific problem with one specific set of scales, and somebody decided to make this letter public. Do you really think you hear every little thing that goes on in the knife industry regarding IP issues? You don't simply because it's usually a private discussion between two companies.

Clearly by your own logic, this isn't Benchmade trying to destroy the aftermarket parts industry, just an issue with one set of scales made by one maker.

More assumptions. That’s all. People are going to love Benchmade and hate Rogue, love Rogue and hate Benchmade, or be indifferent. Which are you?

 

[Yo Mama]

Dude, this is way too logical for a Benchmade hate fest.

I keep waiting for one of the 2A haters to show me on the doll where Benchmade hurt them. Benchmade has always been polarizing, but their cooperation with local LA to help destroy confiscated, low value firearms ramped the vitriol to 11.

As others have said, this is best left to between Rogue and Benchmade. None of us being parties to the action, the best we can offer is speculation.

So did the local pd lack a fifty dollar angle grinder? Asking for a friend......

 

[J. Doyle]

I'm pretty neutral on Benchmade. I don't really have much to say on the knives generally.

But as to the destroying firearms situation.....what point or statement were they trying to make? Surely the police department didn't really NEED help, especially from Benchmade, who made time in their busy schedule to participate.

That had to have been for optics or to make a statement.

 

[King of the Cheese]

I'm pretty neutral on Benchmade. I don't really have much to say on the knives generally.

But as to the destroying firearms situation.....what point or statement were they trying to make? Surely the police department didn't really NEED help, especially from Benchmade, who made time in their busy schedule to participate.

That had to have been for optics or to make a statement.

Didn’t someone say Benchmade donates to a particular leaning and it isn’t “right”? I need to dig that up. Not here, though. Maybe in PA if I find it.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

If not mistaken not too terribly long ago Sal changed Spydercos warranty policy to better accommodate to the current state of tinkering while also encouraging third parties to start making $ off their back. Sal is a knife god. Benchmade effing sucks and even used the spyderco hole when they didnt need to. Even went to lengths by modifying it to an oval. Lame ass company, will be selling what left I have

I don't like Benchmade, but in their defense, didn’t they agree to pay a royalty to Spyderco for use of the thumb hole?

Educate me if I'm wrong please

 

[Billy The Hungry]

They helped the local cops destroy hunks of junk that no gun owner would want anyway. Would you buy rusty pieces of junk some crook had sweat all over from carrying it in his waistband? Most criminals aren't known for good gun maintenance, I doubt many even own a cleaning kit. If you really want a rusty janky gun that hasn't seen a cleaning rod since it was stolen there are still plenty out there and they're paperwork free. Besides, everybody knows the cops keep the good stuff or get first dibs at an auction.

It wasn't all junk. And that doesn't matter, anyway. That isn't the point. But I'll stop it there - I'm not trying to piss off the mods or drag this into the gutters by getting too political.

 

[PQGK]

If this was a case of a company making a copy of BM’s knives…a lot of us would sing a different tune. But because BM is going after aftermarket parts and not a ripped off design, I stand where I stand.

Agree
What's stupid the after market scales actually encourage purchase of this knife from BM

 

[Sibyrnes]

I'm pretty neutral on Benchmade. I don't really have much to say on the knives generally.

But as to the destroying firearms situation.....what point or statement were they trying to make? Surely the police department didn't really NEED help, especially from Benchmade, who made time in their busy schedule to participate.

That had to have been for optics or to make a statement.

At the request of the local police department, Benchmade helped destroy confiscated guns. Does anyone think those guns should have been put back out on the street? Is anyone here interested in buying a gun involved in a crime? Can you imagine the outrage if one of those guns made it back onto the street and was involved in a murder? Should Benchmade have refused to cooperate with the police?

Things are always more complicated than they first appear.

 

[Hackenslash]

So did the local pd lack a fifty dollar angle grinder? Asking for a friend......

It’s not a matter of a $50 piece of equipment, it’s a matter of personnel trained to operate it in a unionized, safety conscious workplace.

Apparently Benchmade hate is illogical in all forms.

 

[J. Doyle]

At the request of the local police department, Benchmade helped destroy confiscated guns. Does anyone think those guns should have been put back out on the street? Is anyone here interested in buying a gun involved in a crime? Can you imagine the heat if one of those guns made it back onto the street and was involved in a murder? Should Benchmade have refused to cooperate with the police?

Things are always more complicated than they first appear.

It doesn't really matter who made the request/proposal. The police didn't NEED help and Benchmade could have declined and remained neutral. It isn't like they were involved in a crime and being investigated and had to "cooperate with the police".

The fact that they accepted to "help" does make a statement. I'm not certain what statement they were trying to make, but I have my suspicion.

As to the guns, I'd have to know more about each gun and the individual condition and circumstances to weigh in on that.

 

[King of the Cheese]

At the request of the local police department, Benchmade helped destroy confiscated guns. Does anyone think those guns should have been put back out on the street? Is anyone here interested in buying a gun involved in a crime? Can you imagine the outrage if one of those guns made it back onto the street and was involved in a murder? Should Benchmade have refused to cooperate with the police?

Things are always more complicated than they first appear.

Any welding or metalworking shop could have done that and there wouldn’t have been any drama. For a knife company to step up and say “here I am! Send me!” in order to destroy guns.. it’s just bad optics.

 

[Yo Mama]

At the request of the local police department, Benchmade helped destroy confiscated guns. Does anyone think those guns should have been put back out on the street? Is anyone here interested in buying a gun involved in a crime? Can you imagine the outrage if one of those guns made it back onto the street and was involved in a murder? Should Benchmade have refused to cooperate with the police?

Things are always more complicated than they first appear.

Yes you sell the guns at auction and use the money to help either fund the police department or social causes.

Why would there be moral outrage if somebody went through all legal channels to obtain a used firearm passing background check though an ffl? Firearms that get turned in are not always criminal murder weapons.

 

[King of the Cheese]

Yes you sell the guns at auction and use the money to help either fund the police department or social causes.

Why would there be moral outrage if somebody went through all legal channels to obtain a used firearm passing background check though an ffl? Firearms that get turned in are not always criminal murder weapons.

I would hazard a guess that most of the people applauding the decision by Benchmade to destroy the guns want MORE guns REMOVED from circulation… or just outright banned.