Ruger takes Smith & Wesson to Court!

[nortatoga]

Sturm, Ruger takes Smith & Wesson to court over its iconic .22-caliber rifle

CONCORD — One of the most popular rifles made and sold in the United States — the .22-caliber Ruger 10-22 — is the subject of a high-stakes court battle, with

www.unionleader.com

 

[C3D]

Roger is going to lose this suit, just like Colt lost when it tried to go after copycat AR-15s. The patents are long gone and the trade dress argument goes nowhere when the design of the rifle is part of the function.

Sucks when companies use lawyers instead of competing fairly.

 

[ManrisFrack]

I get why they want to hold onto it, but sorry Ruger - patents expire for a good reason. If, after 50 years, you can't build your product better, cheaper, and more efficiently than an American counterpart, tough.

 

[Robin]

Friend of mine bought one, uses Ruger mag's. Its a nice little gun and I liked it better than my 10-22. Buy, yeah, I can see why the suit.
Robin

 

[diggs223]

don't know if they paid for rights or not but there is a bunch of copies out there. brownells, kidd, don't know the name but a steel reciever was on gunbroker also.

 

[nortatoga]

I have to wonder if this could have anything to do with Ruger not coming out with mag wells for other brands of pistols for the PC9? I really want one that takes M&P mags, especially with my Club planning on more of these 2x4 matches.

 

[Kirk_STNY]

First I've heard of it. Interesting.....

 

[Acer-m14]

i like ruger and hate them too .. no need for 45 dollar mags 5 shot , 10 shot ect ..

 

[Podmonkey]

I don't understand, with the myriad 10/22 clones that have been on the market for years why is the T/CR22 suddenly the bridge too far?

Roger is going to lose this suit, just like Colt lost when it tried to go after copycat AR-15s. The patents are long gone and the trade dress argument goes nowhere when the design of the rifle is part of the function.

Sucks when companies use lawyers instead of competing fairly.

While I completely agree with your legal assessment of the situation I don't see Ruger's lawsuit as contrary to fair competition.
The T/CR22 is a carbon clone to their own product and Ruger has every right to make its case in court.
I don't think they would win the argument either but it is not unfair for them to try.
Actually, S&W got caught up in a similar situation with Glock regarding the Sigma pistols and the courts ruled in favor of Glock, requiring that S&W pay a royalty on each Sigma sold.
So I guess I would like to hear from the legally fluent members as to why the AR15 is free for all to offer, as Ruger itself does, but not a pistol like the Glock or a rifle like the 10/22. Have not all relative patents and rights expired to the latter 2 as well?

Also, if Ruger were to succeed in their suit against Smith & Wesson where would it leave companies like Volquartsen?

 

[Phauxtoe]

a kidd 10/22 is over a grand, different market. T/C is the same price.

 

[nortatoga]

a kidd 10/22 is over a grand, different market. T/C is the same price.

There may also still be licensing requirement that these other companies are paying Ruger?

 

[Shadow2]

How old is the design? patents expire it does promote innovation.

 

[oc shooter]

not a big fan of Ruger so I really don't care

 

[nortatoga]

Thanks for sharing! And I'm sure others as myself don't care that you don't care!!