on tri-ad patent registration. shows demko invented it but doesn't own the tri-ad. im no patent lawyer so excuse my poor terminology, but demko said as much in a video. he can't make knives with it anymore currently. he said so himself. gsm shows as owner or assignee of the tri-ad currently.
link showing what I said.....
A folding knife having an improved locking mechanism that keeps the knife in an open extended use position until specific close actions are initiated. The improved locking mechanism provides a safety pin that is secured within the frame elements so as to be positioned between the knife blade and...
patents.google.com
on benchmade its well known they put a patent on a plunge lock spine side safety they didn't invent and everyone was using. then they went after makers using it and basically forced by legal actions on makers to abandon it. which led to a terrible idea back into side opener autos. the recessed button. which George Schrade tried over 100 years ago and realized it didn't work over 100 years ago and stopped doing it and started adding safeties.
while this topic of Hogue and such i dont know any details so i have no educated opinion on it, but benchmade hasn't exactly played a good game over the years. that aside two wrongs dont make a right. I have no idear on the legal details, so I'll refrain from speculating. that wont be helpful at all.