riffle
8 August 2016Patents

US company looks to shoot down rival in gun patent battle

A US rifle scope maker has sued a rival for patent infringement, alleging infringement of features for rifle scopes including lens covers and locking devices.

The complaint, filed at the US District Court for the District of Oregon, by Leupold & Stevens, targets Washington-based Nightforce.

In the complaint, Leupold, based in Oregon, asserts six of its patents, US numbers 7,721,480; 6,816,305; 9,170,068; 9,188,408; 8,516,736 and 8,006,429.

The patents cover technology related to rifle scope features including a locking turret knob, locking adjustment knob, auto-locking adjustment device and pivoting lens cover.

Rifle scopes are telescopic lenses put on rifles designed to aid with sight and aiming.

Among the accused products are Nightforce’s ATACR, B.E.A.S.T., NXS and SHV rifle scopes.

In the complaint, Leupold said it has been granted more than 150 patents and design registrations in 18 countries.

According to the complaint, Nightforce’s infringement has enabled it “to unfairly reap a substantial commercial and competitive advantage and savings in, inter alia, research, development, and operational time and cost”.

The complaint added: “At no time has defendant had any express or implied authorization, license, or permission to practice the inventions claimed in Leupold’s patents-in-suit.”

In a statement, Leupold said it was “committed to protecting its intellectual property and the innovations developed by its engineering and design team”.

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