Below ther is a post discussing Revolver Rods (put a little R with a circle around it here) and I find this concept interesting. I find it most intersting that it is possible to patent a rod building style. What would happen if an innovative person accidently duplicated certain aspects of the Revolver style unknowingly. Is there liability here? What if I see a spiral wrap I like and I duplicate it? Could a particularly possessive person claim it as theirs and initiate litigation?

Sorry folks, but it appears I have become quite paranoid lately.

He hasn't patented the style. What he has done is trademarked the Revolver Rod name. Common practice.

In my limited dealings with patents, I don't think that the style of the wrapping or construction can be patented.

Where's a lawyer when you need one?

LOL

John, the ® is as Mike stated a registered trademark symbol and I used it in the post to point out that the Revolver Rod has been properly registered by Rich Forhan. This will let customers know they are getting the true Revolver Rod as it has been designed by Rich.

Other builders can copy at will but the version from Rich may/will contain features in the construction process that are not visible to the naked eye. "Tricks of the trade" so to speek. Although more, but not all I hope(LOL), of these tricks will be revealed in the coming pages of RodMaker Magazine.

The ® lets us know that the name and or logo has been officially registered as opposed to an implied trademark by using the (TM) symbol. However, a company can register a name and or logo and continue using the (TM) symbol if they choose.

There are people in the world who are on constant lookout for the TM symbol and if the logo or trade name has not been properly registered, they will do so in their own name. This done they then try selling the name or design back to the person or company that has been using it all along. Many ways to be a crook!LOL

Actually, you can patent just such a thing. If I recall the roberts wrap was patented.

As to suits if you started building and selling "Revolver Rods" without paying the license fee you could get sued by the trademark holder. In fact the holder must seek to stop you or they can lose the exclusive right to the mark.

Actually the "Robert's Wrap" has never been patented. A particular form of a spiral wrap was patented early in the last century by a Mr. John Scanlan of Chicago.

..........

I just applied for a patent for the "Bolt" wrap which now means that anyone that builds any rod other than a Revolver Rod will have to pay ME for the right to do so.

All you folks will now stop building rods and I WILL OWN THE ROD BUILDING WORLD!!! YA AH AH!!!!!!

Got a feeling that when you do the 'prior art' search you'll see the folly in this. Oh well, just don't write any checks on the expected windfall!!!