06-30-10, 09:41 AM | #1 |
BassFishin.Com Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Superior, NE
Posts: 974
|
Chatterbait Patent
Thought this was interesting.
Chatter patent granted 6/29/2010 Knock-off bait designs have become so commonplace in the sport, it takes only a few months or so for companies to bring their own version of a hot new bait to market. Just look at what happened with the Gary Yamamoto Senko, the Snag Proof frog, the Reaction Innovations Beaver and the ChatterBait, to name a few examples. Z-Man Fishing Products, Inc. (inventor of the ChatterBait) took the issue to the government and this week was granted a patent for the ChatterBait. The company served notice to the industry by printing: "Z-Man Fishing Products, Inc. (Z-Man) of Ladson, S.C. announces that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,627,978 entitled "Snag-Resistant Fishing Lure." Z-Man holds an exclusive license to the advancements and technology embodied in this breakthrough lure design that created a new category of baits when first introduced. It’s the now-patented oscillating motion of the blade that gives the Chatterbait its unique vibration and action...making it irresistible to fish and indispensable for all well-stocked tackle boxes." Z-Man president Jonathan Zucker also noted: "The issuance of this patent will help ensure that copycats cannot take advantage of our innovations in lure design. We believe that this patent will deter other lure manufacturers that have copied the ChatterBait from continuing to sell and market their knock-off products." |
06-30-10, 11:09 AM | #2 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,119
|
There goes the boogie bait.... i wonder if z-man would accept royalties from other companies wishing to make a version of the chatter bait??? Will Gary Yamamoto try to patent the Senko??? Will Culprit come out and patent curl tail worms??? How far will this be allowed to go???
|
06-30-10, 11:23 AM | #3 | |
BassFishin.Com Veteran Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Superior, NE
Posts: 974
|
Quote:
It is funny however to see what "innovations" they use, that they did not invent. I see a swimbait and a senko on their site that really looks like someone else's hard work. |
|
06-30-10, 01:43 PM | #4 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Parkesburg, Pa.
Posts: 3,762
|
The orginator of the chatterbait has sent letters to many (small) custom lure makers that have "copied" the bait threatening to sue them. Larger companies that make "similiar" lure based on the chatterbait design may be able to get around the patent by making some minor changes to the original design.
People that develop a "new" lure should be able to profit from their innovation, but not hold exclusive rights forever. As for chatterbaits, individuals can get around the patent pretty easily by buying the components and assembling them yourself - they are NOT hard to make. As long as you're not selling them for profit you are ok. |
06-30-10, 02:27 PM | #5 | |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 229
|
Yea, but why?
Quote:
|
|
06-30-10, 08:53 PM | #6 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 221
|
|
06-30-10, 10:26 PM | #7 |
BassFishin.Com Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 35
|
I'm not an intellectual property rights lawyer, but have some experience in the field, and having read through the patent a few times, I'd hazard an opinion that many of the knock-offs don't violate it. A key part of the patent is that the motion of the blade in each direction is limited by contact with the head. On any of the knock-offs that use a split ring between the eye and the blade, this doesn't happen.
Unfortunately, any of them that have the split ring in there are far less effective for exactly that reason. The corners of the blade banging the head is an important factor in the lure's performance. |
07-01-10, 01:01 AM | #8 |
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 10,141
|
__________________
It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3 |
07-01-10, 06:00 AM | #9 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Parkesburg, Pa.
Posts: 3,762
|
Barlow's Tackle has all the components at reasonable prices. http://www.barlowstackle.com/
|
07-01-10, 10:03 AM | #10 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
Posts: 4,483
|
Minor modifications to the blade will limit the ability of Z-man to win a lawsuit. Booyah's blade is already way different. I don't know if Kaotic's blade with the holes in it will be enough. Probably depends on the size of and bend in the blade. Other than those I haven't seen a knock off worth buying. Original Chatterbaits at BPS are $3.99.
Imagine if someone had patented the spinnerbait or jig head??? |
07-01-10, 11:37 AM | #11 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bellevue, Ohio
Posts: 1,398
|
Good point 3D
__________________
Tom |
07-01-10, 03:30 PM | #12 | |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southern , IN
Posts: 1,832
|
Quote:
|
|
Disclosure / Disclaimer
Before acting on the content posted, you should know that BassFishin.Com may benefit financially and otherwise from content, advertising, links or otherwise from anything you click on, read, or look at on our website. Click here to read our Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|