Protecting Knife Intellectual Property

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Cliff Carter Knives said:
I drew up a design recently and was notified by another maker that it looks very close to an existing model of another maker.
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The way I read this it seems to me that the person that contacted Cliff Carter Knives wasn't even the maker that Cliff's knife was similar to.

So far the few knives I have designed and made have all drawn off of handles, blades, shapes, ideas and looks that I like in other knives. My designs have been hybrids of two or three elements that were put together and then adjusted until I decided I liked the look. Even with that process I found a rather similar bird and trout on the internet to one I made a couple years ago.
 
I make a lot of Scagel style knives and a few Randall style replica knives. I did contact Randall knives and asked their permission to make replicas of their knives and they told me as long as I don't use their trade mark it should be fine. I you contact this other maker and ask for permission the probably will say yes.
 
Randydb said:
The way I read this it seems to me that the person that contacted Cliff Carter Knives wasn't even the maker that Cliff's knife was similar to.
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This is correct, it was not the original maker, it was another knife maker who brought it to my attention.

Scott Hanson said:
I make a lot of Scagel style knives and a few Randall style replica knives. I did contact Randall knives and asked their permission to make replicas of their knives and they told me as long as I don't use their trade mark it should be fine. I you contact this other maker and ask for permission the probably will say yes.
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I sent him an email, hopefully he gets back to me so if it ever comes up again I can reference that approval!
 
Here’s the knife in question. Top pic is the blank. I used the blade design from the skeletonized skinner I designed below it, and added a different style handle. I guess it turned out very similar to another makers knife.

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I don't know about that particular design but profile wise if it works and works well it has probably been done. If it original its likely original for a reason.

Accents are different. I think there's also more concern in folders. Think spider hole or hinderer lock bar design
 
Cliff Carter Knives said:
Here’s the knife in question. Top pic is the blank. I used the blade design from the skeletonized skinner I designed below it, and added a different style handle. I guess it turned out very similar to another makers knife.

View attachment 1431484 View attachment 1431487
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Yahhhh....I think it is too similar. Probably best that you finish the knife up and send it to me. I will make sure it doesn't cause any more problems. :D
 
Haha you guys crack me up! Sounds like I’m in the clear and likely don’t even need to “ask for permission” from the maker who has a blade that looks like it.

I also want to add that the gentlemen who alerted me to it had no malice, I think it was more a heads up than anything else. I brought it here to get a better understanding and make sure as I continue to make knives that I have some sense for when there could be a potential issue with similar designs from different people.

This thread has definitely made me feel a lot better about things though, thank you all!
 
Does anyone know of examples where a knife design element was officially accused of violating intellectual property protections?
I know several folding knife elements are patented. Have they ever taken action against other makers?
 
I have a friend who created was making pretty unique designs in folding knives. He created a pattern of blade and handle shape I had never seen before. Gave it a unique name.

Within weeks, it seemed, there were other makers reproducing the design, including name.

One maker indicated a customer wanted a copy of said knife.

I've seen many other makers do copies now, including the name.



Many patterns become common over time.

I've seen other accuse "copying" when some one makes handle scales our of multi layered liners, etc.

Some makers have put their patterns out there to use. (The Bose patterns like a Lanny's clip etc).

Try not to be too concerned.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Patents don't cover designs, unless that design has a solely new useful purpose.
You can copyright a name or a logo, but I doubt you can copyright a knife shape.
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Bill DeShivs Bill DeShivs Hibben's Rambo III knife, and Crain's Predator machete are both trademarked, I believe. There are a couple of others I can think of, but it is not common.

Sam
 
Sam,
I'm sure the names are trademarked, but I doubt the knives are.
My Leverletto name is trademarked, but it doesn't cover the design.
 
I'm pretty sure the design is covered, as it is very distinctive. I think the name got it's own protections, also.

Bill DeShivs said:
Sam,
I'm sure the names are trademarked, but I doubt the knives are.
My Leverletto name is trademarked, but it doesn't cover the design.
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AVigil said:
Nowhere on his webpage does he claim the design is trademarked.
It really is just a large Bowie Knife with Intellectual Property Protection.
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Corrected. The internet will help you on the rest of your quest.

Sam
 
AVigil said:
Is it the design or the name protected?

I provided a link and not it is your turn.
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Both, in a way. Design of the knife is protected, and "Rambo" is protected, also. Take the L like a man.

Sam
 
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