Kai/ZT legal action against MT

RIPtastic said:
So what happens now? Microtech has to can pretty much all of their folder line up?
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My guess is Microtech will rework high demand models, like the Socom Delta, into framelocks.

KAI looks to move unsold inventory by slashing price: ZT 0801 Rexfords for $150 everywhere, good time to stock-up?
 
newdebate said:
KAI looks to move unsold inventory by slashing price: ZT 0801 Rexfords for $150 everywhere, good time to stock-up?
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ZT 0801 and 0801BW were discontinued end of May 2016 and now the remaining inventory can be had for 40% off MSRP instead of the usual 20% off (MAP).
 
Munroe Sigil MK6 and Matrix R, both framelocks, are available with m390 blades.

That didn't take long.
 
Its interesting that KAI was able to get this patent, as well as only taking action against Microtech. Other companies use or have used sub-framelocks.

Microtech's are one of the furthest knives I would ever consider owning, so I don't necessarily care, its just weird. I don't think KAI should have been able to get that patent.
 
KAI has also served a cease and desist order against Brous Blade for their use of the patented subframe lock.
 
Yeah, I could have sworn that I saw this type of locker setup on some custom knives and maybe a production knife from Europe before 2015. i was actually thinking about such a lock when i was contemplating making some folders a couple of years ago, but one with an "integral" frame that had been milled away above the lock bar to like .075 thick leaving the lock bar and bolster full thickness so I could have LSCF scales on both sides. Seems to me that you should be able to get mourn dKai's patient ding that as their ss lock bar is probably just attached to the aluminum frame with screws. At a minimum, it is a separate part and not part of the "frame" So can it even be called a fame lock knife?
K.O.D. said:
Its interesting that KAI was able to get this patent, as well as only taking action against Microtech. Other companies use or have used sub-framelocks.

Microtech's are one of the furthest knives I would ever consider owning, so I don't necessarily care, its just weird. I don't think KAI should have been able to get that patent.
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Wait. How long has the Whaleshark been out? I thought is came out long before 2015? There is a youtube review from April of 2012.
RamZar said:
MicroTech still has all their autos, OTF, liner locks and fixed blades.

I think the subframe lock patent mainly applies to MicroTech's DOC, Sigil, Matrix, Delta, Whaleshark and Star Lord, etc. Not sure about Anax and Hara.
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Okay, I think I figured it out. the Whaleshark and its lock was probably announced/introduced before the Kai patent was applied for in early 2012 if customer had then in April of that year, but the Matrix looks to my eye looks like darn near exact copy of the 0777. Kai went after them for really ripping them off and used the best ammo they had.
 
No, it was filed in January of 2012 claiming a "priority date" of January of 2011. Sounds like Kai might have just got in under the wire unless MT filed too. It does' make you wonder if Kai filed because they heard that MT was going to copy the 0777? The good news is that the patent appears to be pretty specific, not only in the two piece design but in the adjustment functions at the tail end of lockbar. Probably easy to get around. Sounds like not having having the"pocket" and the specific type of adjustment is sufficient if Mr. Begg can get away with attacking via the spacer. To be honest, I am not sure that I would want a locker that could move around like that.
RamZar said:
The KAI Patent was filed in January 2011.

https://www.google.com/patents/US9120234
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There is no question that ZT debuted the sub-frame lock before Microtech.

MT knows that and that's why they issued a stop sale.
 
The new Munroe Sigil MK6 and Matrix R designs do not use a subframe lock, and are off the Kai patent turf.
 
With some patent cases, i can be "first to the post" regardless of who starting using it first. it will be interesting to se if MT challenges them.
Scurvy092 said:
There is no question that ZT debuted the sub-frame lock before Microtech.

MT knows that and that's why they issued a stop sale.
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jdm61 said:
With some patent cases, i can be "first to the post" regardless of who starting using it first. it will be interesting to se if MT challenges them.
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The Kai patent is not relevant to Microtech frame locks; only the discontinued subframe lock designs.
 
jdm61 said:
With some patent cases, i can be "first to the post" regardless of who starting using it first. it will be interesting to se if MT challenges them.
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I see what you're saying but it's a pretty well known fact and one that I've been told by more than a few industry reps. Honestly it's been beat into the ground so not much point in arguing about it. If you are interested just search around and you'll find plenty of info. Bottom line is MT stole KAI's IP. One that took lots of resources for KAI develop. They'd be stupid for not protecting it.
 
MT stealing ZT's 0777 design and calling it the Matrix was extremely below the belt and makes them no better than Kevin John in my book. With that they lost a lot of respect... With this, they are already losing revenue.
 
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