Ethics: Is it okay to buy a non-kershaw assist or a non-BM Axis?

[Walking Man]

I'm not quite sure what to make of these copying strategies that have been going on the past year or so. Okay, they may be far enough to fool the patent lawyers, buy not us. Also What's up with the BM/Blackwood skirmish, did BM again buy the rights to the hole from spyderco?

 

[thombrogan]

Walking Man,

Not all of the assisted-openers use Kershaw's method. If what you're buying doesn't use an exact copy of the Speedsafe mechanism, or uses a licensed copy of the Speedsafe mechanism, you're not being unethical in your purchases.

I have no comments on the locks or Skirmish issue that haven't been said before or that offer anything new.