This should be interesting

[Big Fin]

Wonder what the outcome of this will be?

Leupold Files Suit to Defend TBR Patent

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Leupold & Stevens, Inc. has sued Bushnell, Inc. and others for infringement of a patent granted to Leupold® relating to its True Ballistic Range® technology (TBR®).

With TBR, Leupold pioneered ballistic compensation for uphill/downhill shot angles, superseding basic trigonometric angle/distance compensation. TBR was introduced by Leupold in 2006, and uses an advanced algorithm to deliver exceptionally accurate ranging capability that is matched to a bullet's ballistic profile.

The complaint was filed February 2, 2010, in U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore., and alleges that Bushnell's sales of range-finding products incorporating Angle Range Compensation™ (ARC™) infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,654,029 owned by Leupold.

"Leupold asserted provisional patent rights more than two years before filing suit, but Bushnell continued to manufacture and sell the infringing products," said Andy York, Leupold's vice president of sales, marketing, and product development. "Leupold has invested a significant amount of engineering and development resources in the production of this patented technology and the company will vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights against all infringers. Generally, we prefer to resolve disputes without resorting to litigation, but in this case, our management decided that due to the substantial amount of time some of the defendants had been on notice, that litigation was necessary."

The complaint also names as defendants Burris Co, Inc. for the Burris Eliminator™ laser scope, and Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. for sales of range-finding products incorporating its Ballistic Information System™ (BIS) feature.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a fifth-generation, family owned company that employs over 600 American workers in its state-of-the-art facility near Beaverton, Ore. Leupold has manufactured a variety of optical and surveying instruments since opening for business in 1907, and its modern campus is currently where sport optics are designed, machined and assembled. Leupold manufactures a wide range of optics for the hunting, shooting, military, law enforcement, golf and observation markets.

Contact: Pat Mundy (503) 526-1467 or [email protected]

 

[noharleyyet]

Wonder what the outcome of this will be?

..opposing legal firms will lease at least two new Mercedes.

 

[elk_hunter]

My vote goes to Leupold for the winner...

 

[MNHunter]

Im assuming that the Bushnell technology is too close to Leupold's whereas Nikon's must not be as they have not been named in the suit. We shall see. At the very least, as NHY said, there will be attorneys gettin paid...

 

[Big Fin]

..opposing legal firms will lease at least two new Mercedes.

When I wrote that question and read it back to myself, that was pretty much my immediate answer. That is almost a given in any IP lawsuit.

Should be interesting to see if it impacts competition in the emerging rush to deliver angle accomodating range finders to the market.

 

[TheTone]

I could have swore there were angle compensating laser rangefinders out prior to Leupolds. The first I remember were Opti Logic's. Must be more of a tech issue than simply what the rangefinders do would be my guess.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Wonder what the outcome of this will be?

Hopefully the Judge (unlike Elk_Hunter) uses more than a Press Release issued by Leupold to determine the case....

 

[shoots-straight]

The price of buying hunting optics just went up!

 

[Oak]

I could have swore there were angle compensating laser rangefinders out prior to Leupolds. The first I remember were Opti Logic's. Must be more of a tech issue than simply what the rangefinders do would be my guess.

I think the original units calculated the ballistic distance based on straight trigonometry (straight lines and angles). We know that bullets don't travel in straight lines. If I understand correctly, the Leupold uses an algorithm that takes into account the true bullet path (arc). I assume that Bushnell did something similar.

 

[TheTone]

I think the original units calculated the ballistic distance based on straight trigonometry (straight lines and angles). We know that bullets don't travel in straight lines. If I understand correctly, the Leupold uses an algorithm that takes into account the true bullet path (arc). I assume that Bushnell did something similar.

I see and thanks.

 

[JoseCuervo]

I think the original units calculated the ballistic distance based on straight trigonometry (straight lines and angles). We know that bullets don't travel in straight lines. If I understand correctly, the Leupold uses an algorithm that takes into account the true bullet path (arc). I assume that Bushnell did something similar.

How does a bullet take an "arc"? What is the physical force that causes lift in the flight of the bullet and how long is gravity suspended?

 

[Oak]

How does a bullet fly in a straight line with the force of gravity acting on it?

 

[JoseCuervo]

How does a bullet fly in a straight line with the force of gravity acting on it?

By rotating it to keep it from turning left or right during flight, so it flies straight with out making any turns.

Do your bullets typically make a lot of turns when you shoot them?

 

[Drake4]

The rifles muzzle is tipped upward. The bullet "arcs" above the line of sight and travels in an "arc" to the target. The bullet is above the line of sight the majority of the flight path.

 

[elk_hunter]

Hopefully the Judge (unlike Elk_Hunter) uses more than a Press Release issued by Leupold to determine the case....

All I said was I think Leupold will win the lawsuit.

 

[MN Public Hunter]

All I said was I think Leupold will win the lawsuit.

The only winner in the lawsuit will be the lawyers...

 

[elk_hunter]

No doubt...they definitely win no matter what

 

[JoseCuervo]

The only winner in the lawsuit will be the lawyers...

Do you think Intellectual Property should not be protected?

 

[Big Fin]

First they copy the technology, now they copy the legal action. Some people just can't be very original.

Something tells me this will continue for a while.

Bushnell Sues Leupold & Stevens for Patent Infringement

Overland Park, Kan. - Bushnell Inc. (d/b/a Bushnell Outdoor Products) has sued Leupold & Stevens for infringing on two Bushnell U.S. patents covering the Bushnell Angle Range Compensation™ (ARC™) and Rain™ Mode laser rangefinder technology. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas on February 9, 2010 and alleges that Leupold is infringing on Bushnell U.S. Patent Nos. 5,926,259 and 7,658,031.

Bushnell and its technology partners have pioneered the sportsman-oriented laser rangefinder category by developing and providing innovative laser rangefinder technology to the outdoorsman, golfer, and law enforcement personnel for over 15 years. They revolutionized this category of products years before Leupold's entry into the laser rangefinder market. Bushnell continues innovating and developing in the laser rangefinder arena by providing laser rangefinders that help the user determine hold-over ballistic information, the subject of its U.S. Patent No. 7,658,031. Bushnell is the worldwide manufacturing leader of sports optics, premium eyewear, and outdoor accessories for over 60 years.

"Bushnell has invested an enormous amount of time and resources into developing our patented technology and we will vigorously enforce our rights against all infringers," said Phil Gyori, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Bushnell Inc. "While we prefer to resolve disputes with our competitors without resorting to litigation, we felt we had no choice but to defend our intellectual property against Leupold's infringement."

Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bollé®, Uncle Mike's Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe's®, Butler Creek®, Final Approach®, Cébé®, Uncle Mike's®, Millett® and Simmons® brand names. For information about any these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.

Contact: Jen Messelt - Public Relations Manager
(800) 423-3537 / [email protected]

 

[noharleyyet]

Due to evolving circumstance, I raise my 'outcome' estimate to 4 new leased Benz's.

Yes Jose, IP should be protected, that's why so many people ignore you.