Mantis Knives Using Round Hole Opener

CaptainM said:
Since the other thread is closed I would like to know if Spyderco did take Benchmade to court over this and did they in fact lose the case?

If they did lose the case then, people cannot complain anymore about Benchmade using the round hole. Remember, trademarks do not cover function only looks. Patents can cover function but the Spyderco round hole patent expired around the year 2000.
Click to expand...
Just because it's legal doesn't make it ethical. People can do whatever they want. Rejecting BM and NB products because of thier use of a round hole thumb opener is certainly just action regardless of what the courts say.
 
But that kinda negates the whole idea of a utility patent.

The idea is to get people to SHARE improvements and new products. Once the patent expires, anyone is supposed to be able to use the invention.
 
puukkoman said:
Yes.
mf4cm.jpg
Click to expand...

Dork-o-rama! Wow-ee that's sure tactical. I bet those grips sure keep your hand from slipping from all the fecal matter you'll get all over it when you pull it on some guy and he laughs so hard he craps all over the place.

The Dork-ops style promotion is just beyond ridiculous. Sorry to go off topic for a moment, but I just have to quote this: (from a "Dark Ops" ad in this month's Knives magazine, screaming from the page in menacing chartreuse)

"The scales are made of T6160 aircraft grade hardened aluminum, not porous materials that cannot be decontaminated from bodily fluids or chemical munitions":jerkit: :barf: Dork Ops knives are much better to clean after a chemical attack. Like when you are at Subway and the lady next to you farts really bad.
 
orthogonal1 said:
But that kinda negates the whole idea of a utility patent.

The idea is to get people to SHARE improvements and new products. Once the patent expires, anyone is supposed to be able to use the invention.
Click to expand...

I agree with that. However, in this case the round thumb hole has become synonymous with Spyderco, and that is why they were awarded the trademark. I just think that if people are going to use their idea, then they should still give credit to the original creator/designer. Like I said before, Spyderco doesn't pay Michael Walker or Chris Reeve for using thier locks, but they do give them credit. Many makers, and at least one manufacturer give credit to Spyderco for the round hole thumb opener.
 
BLECH!!!

I don't think Sal should bother. Those folks are gonna put themselves outta business.:D

Those are some of the most incredibly ugly (and impractical looking) knives I've seen in a long time.
 
Suggested marketing tag line for Mantis Knives:

"Most companies only use two screws to hold the grips on their fixed blades, but at Mantis Knives, we spare no expense. Each grip has 8 screws to hold it on so that even the fiercest warrior won't have the scales come loose during covert activities".

I think Mantis must be a screw manufacturing company that makes knives simply to feature their screw products.
 
a) Everyone associates the hole with Spyderco
b) Others have used the hole before under licence from Spyderco
c) Even if the patent expired, it' still Spydercos home ground.

If we all stand by and say sure, it's fine, soon there be a hoard of mall ninja companies bringing out their knives with round opening holes. It's not ok. My 5c
 
Andre,

It's Not OK to be used as a trademark. It is ok to be used as an opener for function as Spyderco has lost the patent on the hole. Patents cover function and trademarks do not. This is why I do not have a problem with the Benchmade Skirmish. I guess that both sides could be right, but the patent expired so really people can use the hole if they want. Just more honorable companies are not using it. The Skirmish has many holes around the opening hole. It looks more like a Ken Onion knife than it does a Spyderco.
 
Captain, you may have a point, but I still wouldn't buy any Mantis/Dorkops knives :)
 
I'd like the spyderhole to remain exclusively on Spydercos...but I don't think it's a big deal that they're not just on them to me. It's a good opening system. Also, the 635's spyderhole is really quite different than the Spyderco one...for one, the four holes can't be used to confuse people that this knife is a Spyderco...second, it's not a straight through hole like a Spyderco....which makes it a lot more difficult to flick...your thumb slides right out. Looks better though, I think. I don't think there's any problem at all with the 635 using the hole instead of a thumbstud.
 
I refuse to get too alarmed by any company who is so unsure of its products that they have to use scatily clad women and Hummers to get people to look at their pages.
 
CaptainM said:
Since the other thread is closed I would like to know if Spyderco did take Benchmade to court over this and did they in fact lose the case?

If they did lose the case then, people cannot complain anymore about Benchmade using the round hole. Remember, trademarks do not cover function only looks. Patents can cover function but the Spyderco round hole patent expired around the year 2000.
Click to expand...
CaptainM, where did you hear this? I have followed the Skirmish issue closely and have not heard of a court case. Sal specifically asked us to back off of the debate as it was becoming very angry and that is why the thread was closed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top