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Posted by Ted on 11:38:19 02/22/03
Now we don't have to watch the industry suffer becuase the Flinstones research and design team at Ocean Kayak can't figure out how to design new kayaks!
Good Job Cobra!
COBRA KAYAKS WINS ALLEGED PATENT INFINGEMENT CASE ON APPEAL
Ocean Kayak’s Patent Claim Ruled Invalid.
Gardena, CA, (Feb 18) – Cobra Kayaks has won its appeal in a much publicized lawsuit initiated by Ocean Kayaks over alleged infringement of a patent on a kayak seating arrangement. A three-judge panel of federal judges in Washington DC has declared that key claims of Ocean's patent are invalid. The case has been tied up in the court system for two years.
The DC panel declared that the overlapping seating arrangement footwells claimed in the patent were not Ocean Kayak’s invention, but that they were based on a wave-ski design going back to the 1980’s. The federal court ruled that Cobra’s interpretation of the patent was correct and reversed the lower court’s summary findings of patent validity and infringement. The pending case temporarily affected the production of three Cobra Kayaks models including the Tandem, Fish N' Dive, and the Triple, by making it necessary for them to redesign the seating. Although these boats have continued to be produced and shipped, Cobra is now free to go back to the earlier seating if they so decide.
The suit was one of several filed in Oregon by Ocean Kayak against their competitors, but the one against Cobra was the first to be actively litigated. Upon getting word of the court’s findings, Warren and Glenys Aitken, owners of Cobra Kayaks, immediately thanked those people who had stepped forward throughout the proceedings with evidence supporting their case. “We’re happy to be able to put all this behind us,” Warren stated. “Glenys and I now intend to put all our energy into doing what we love to do best, and that is making the best sit-on-top kayaks on the market.”
For additional information on the court ruling, contact Warren Aitken directly at 888 - 412-6272
Cobra Kayaks and Cobra Paddles are owned and distributed by GLENWA, Inc. in Gardena, California. The company, founded in 1993, is privately owned. Cobra Kayaks manufactures, markets and distributes a full line of sit-on-top kayaks, paddles, and accessories. They offer a broad spectrum of products for all-around recreational paddling and specialized niche markets such as fishing, diving, touring, surfing and racing. There are twelve Cobra distributors worldwide including Hawaii. Cobra Kayaks and Cobra Paddles are registered trademarks.
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