Chatterbait Patent

[CamG]

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."

[walkeraviator]

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???

[CamG]

Originally Posted by walkeraviator

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???

Good question. But, I believe in order to file for a patent, or trademark the product must not be on the market before the filing. In this case, I think they filed in 2004.

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.

[bassboogieman]

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.

[DaveW731]

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

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.

If you enjoy making lures, sounds like a good idea. Might even be a stepping stone to yet another new design. Can't imagine it would really save enough $$ to do it for any other reason.

[CiK]

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

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.

Where can you buy the blades for chatterbaits?

[RichZ]

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.

[Rebbasser]

Originally Posted by CiK

Where can you buy the blades for chatterbaits?

Here:


http://lurepartsonline.com/cart.php?...ct_list&c=2100

[bassboogieman]

Barlow's Tackle has all the components at reasonable prices. http://www.barlowstackle.com/

[3dkicker]

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???

[Cavs1123]

Good point 3D

[CMorg]

Originally Posted by RichZ

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.

You are right on the money there. I have a few knock off's and I can definately tell a differance between the knock off and the origional. The origional is way more effective.