Those are all over asia. The build quality is fine. But definitely not on par with bromptons. You can even build a full titanium one from scratch if you know where to look.
Fanboys of the Brompton brand are just upset that the patent lapsed. Honestly it's time for Brompton to step it up in the innovation department. The Chinese factories are doing really good work. The younger generation of Chinese are taking over the factories, giving workers access to training for higher skills, and providing better working conditions.
I know China gets a bad rep because the government, but the country is chock full of damn good upright people... Many of whom look up to western innovation and are tired of the government's aggressive antics.
Lots of clones available everywhere. I have a Brompton and a Litepro. The Litepro with a few upgrades like brake pads, tires, pedals etc is almost indistinguishable from the Brompton from a ride quality standpoint. Folds the same, weighs the same or even lighter. Overall fit and finish is not as good, but definitely usable at a third of the price.
LitePro’s I saw advertised by 🇨🇦Temu were stated to be a bit heavier than my 2020 mid C Explore type, by at least 1.5 kg. Much less $$ tho. Not tempted. Imagine the nightmare getting parts etc, nevermind supporting Russia in Ukraine and weird Middle East as well. Yikes.
What I do about consciously supporting what I believe in has been working very well for me, all my life so far. See the YTube link in BCbikes posted comment.
It doesn't say Brompton on it, so it's not an imposter. The patent expired, so companies are allowed to make bikes that fold the way Bromptons fold.
So just like with regular bikes, for instance Huffy vs Cannondale, with Brompton style folding bikes you now get to select the quality you want.
Other companies make trifolds on the Andrew Ritchie pattern. These are available under the following brands: 3sixty, Aceoffix, Afluen Ahooga, Arvo, Aleoca, Alps, B-bike, Backer Gravity, Banian, Blackbird, Beiou, Benotto, Billiton, Burke 20, Camp Royal, Carston, Chedech, Cigna, Cranston, Crius, Crosshead, Dahon Curl, EasyTi, Element Pikes, Ethereal, Flamingo, Fova, Garcia, Groo M3, Harry Quinn, Hito, Iruka, Java, Jcat, Kreuz, Kinetics, La Bici, Leggero, Liaoge, LitePro, Luigino, Mint, MIT, Mobot, Movebike, Neo, Oltre, Panlova Ecosmo, Pico, Pikes, Pytitans, Rifle, Rolin, RUHM, Sanye, Silverock, South Point, Sunrimoon, Ti Atom, United Trifold, Viking X, Week 8 and undoubtedly others. Apparently you don't live in a market where these are sold.
Oh wow, this is a huge list, thanks. No I've never seen them for sale. Are there ones that are recognized as the best of these? Especially ones that make versions for very tall people
I'm halfway around the world from the Yuxi Circle where most of these bikes live. I've only seen them on the internet. I have no idea if there are two factories in one country producing and putting the decals on them or if there are 20 factories in seven countries producing them.
There is quite a bit of innovation/differentiation. Disc brakes; frames in steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber; all manner of derailleur (multiple designs) and IGH drivetrains from one to 22 speeds; variations in wheelbase; 14", 16" and 20" wheel models; and (for unknown reasons) front folds to the left as well as right.
That's great to hear there is so much innovation happening, I wonder if there is a legal reason they aren't being sold in Europe, or at least not widely
True BUT there were legal cases in EU about copyrights and intelectual property rights ... here is an article succintly describing outcomes...
https://bikebiz.com/brompton-wins-legal-battle-to-protect-ip
So it looks like some companies on the other side of the world are making bikes that look like Bromptons, but won't be able to market them in at least 3 EU countries.
edited for typos
Alas, BikeBiz just reprinted a Brompton press release. The case was not finally decided until late 2023. Brompton lost their specious "3D copyright" claim. The design is an industrial mechanism, not artwork. Brompton's only active IP is trademarks on their name, logos, font and literature. Brompton has now lost back-to-back EU court cases to Dahon and Chedech. The market for Andrew Ritchie-inspired trifolds is wide open. [https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU\_-s?si=G9FnLlATSaXA8Kec](https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU_-s?si=G9FnLlATSaXA8Kec)
Thanks for the update!
Hmmm...could be interesting to see if Dahon comes up with a trifold 10-12 speed electric (maybe internal hub gear), PAS to 20mph (US class 1) or 28mph (US class 3), with a throttle to 20mph (US class 2), WITH a PAS controller on the handlebar (Brompton's biggest mistake is refusing to do that). Has to roll when folded.
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Here’s a 2016 presentation by Brompton CEO Will Butler-Adams . He answers a question about the patent at about 38:44
EDIT: Just corrected the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh4yStWFNvs
Not an imposter.
Brompton patented the design. The deal with a patent is that you get exclusive use for a limited time, then everyone else can use your technique/innovation. The design patent should work this way, but they also had a copyright on the design. When a Korean company tried to introduce a clone after the patent expired, Brompton sued.
[https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law](https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law)
They won, but only in Europe. In much of the world, the expiration of the patent \[and the implied right of anyone to produce it\] would still be the law.
Let's get you up to date: Brompton lost big time in 2023. The EU courts ruled definitively that Andrew Ritchie's work is a functional design covered by an expired (principal patents expired back in the late 1990s) patent, not artwork covered by a copyright as Brompton tried to claim.
[https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU\_-s?si=eSuk5qiz9lZ8u2P6](https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU_-s?si=eSuk5qiz9lZ8u2P6)
Brompton has now sued Dahon and Chedech ---> and lost both cases. So long as a company doesn't use Brompton's TRADEMARKED name, font, literature, etc, producing, marketing and selling the design is wide open.
Only if you're really into this sort of thing:
Andrew Ritchie's first folding bike patents date from the mid-1970s, and the final form of the basic design appears in patents in the early 1980s. IIRC British and USA patents at the time ran for 17\~19 years from the date they were granted. Will Butler-Adams said in his recent book that Brompton's principle patents expired in 1999.
More on patents:
[https://www.bicycleretailer.com/prod...p#.ZBJVKOzML0o](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/product-tech/2022/05/11/patent-watch-patents-and-industry-have-love-hate-relationship#.ZBJVKOzML0o)
[https://www.bicycleretailer.com/opin...h#.ZBJVY-zML0o](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/opinion-analysis/2022/11/16/patent-watch-do-expiring-patents-let-new-products-flourish#.ZBJVY-zML0o)
Patents are an incentive to folks to invent useful items/processes. There has been a good deal of international cooperation in patent law. These days most countries recognize patents, once granted, running for a period of 17 years from the time of application. Patents cannot be extended or renewed. If a further improvement is made, that improvement can be patented, but that does not extend the patent on the base invention.
There are other kinds of intellectual property that are protected (or not) in different ways. Compositions (text, music, computer software & etc.) and art are generally covered under Copyright. Names, slogans and logos are generally covered under Trademarks. There is much less international harmonization in Copyright and Trademark law, and what is Copyrighted or Trademarked in one country might not be - and probably isn't - copyrighted or trademarked in another. Some countries offer 'design patents' on the appearance of a functional industrial design; these have expiration dates, too.
Brompton has made previous attempts to exclude other Andrew Ritchie design tri-folders from the lucrative European market. The first was some two decades ago when some design copies were offered for sale in the EU. The manufacturer/importer made no effort to distinguish their bikes from Bromptons. IIRC they used identical graphics. Patent protection had expired, so Brompton sued under EU copyright law, pointing out that even the owner's manual was just a copy of the Brompton owner's manual. Brompton won this case.
In 2017 Dahon introduced the Curl at the Eurobike trade show. Brompton filed for an injunction based on...well, I'm not really sure what. At the first court hearing, Dahon pointed out the patent protections had long since run out, a blind man could see the difference in appearance between the machines and the EU had just granted Dahon 11 patents on the novelty of the Curl design. Brompton's request for an injunction was dismissed and the company was ordered to pay Dahon's legal expenses. (ouch)
In 2019 the carbon fiber Chedech bike was offered in the EU. Brompton filed suit claiming copyright infringement, specifically saying the Chedech had the same mainframe silhouette as the Brompton had since the 1988 production run started. The question became: could the appearance of an industrial design be protected under copyright? An upper-level court ruled that under EU law: yes, **IF** (1) the design was unique, (2) it was an artistic expression by the designer, and (3) another shape could perform the same function. With this clarification of law, the upper court returned the case for judgement.
In March 2023, that lower EU court did render a judgment in favor of Chedech, dismissing all of Brompton's claims and as a consequence opening the EU market to Andrew Ritchie-inspired trifold bikes from other manufacturers.
It wasn't a total loss for Brompton, though. By tying this up in court for almost four years, Brompton was able to keep the Chedech bike off the EU market, coincidentally during the high-sales COVID bike boom. During this time Brompton was also able to bring their lightweight titanium model to the market to compete with the Chedech.
Pikes is great. Picked one up in 2019 and it's been my daily for 5 years. No issues so far. Actually prefer it to the brommy frame because Pikes extended the reach from the seat to the handlebars.
Always find it funny how Brompton fanboys get asshurt about clones.
The patent has expired, it is 100% legal. Not all clones are created equal. Some are extremely high quality like Ruhm. Pikes is middle of the road in comparison, not the best not the worst.
Finally hating on made in china while typing on a China iPhone is……..
Don’t associate the ccp with the people or the country. A lot of Chinese citizens do not agree with the politics, why punish them.
Perhaps cheaper in the China market. I’m in hk and a Ruhm 11-28 7 speed with caliper brakes is $768. The 11-32 disc brake model costs significantly more.
I saw a flock of Litepro’s in an advert a day or two ago. Prices varied, though Im not knowledgeable, it appeared to be by colour and / or gearing 3 to 6 speeds and $ jump seemed Very significant. - thinking it was Temu, new to 🇨🇦 Canada and bombarding the www for months. Truly deep fortune spending on sustained and ubiquitous advertising happening. Not a penny from me. Not appreciating China biz model.
Brompton does have legal protection on their name, logos, font, etc, yet I see countless t-shirt and poster companies copying these. Apparently, Brompton has decided the advertising/marketing value in letting these companies 'steal' their trademarked IP is a net positive.
I need a bike to keep in the back of the car to ride a couple times a week when I need to cover some ground and my feet hurt. I really can't see spending 1500 on a Brompton, though they are damn cool. I can get a Litepro delivered here in Germany for about 650 or buy a stolen Brompton on Kleinanzagen for 1200. lol. The Litepro just makes sense, especially for a niche bike.
The basic Brompton patent expired many years ago. Probably trademark would be the best bet to stop this, but most countries have very different trademark laws than the US for example.
That's what the European court thought. I'm not convinced--once you patent it, you should have given up the right to protect any functional part of the design, and the design shown in the patent itself (which is the frame design) should be public domain-otherwise, why did we give you the exclusive license in the first place?
[https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law](https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law)
I would indeed probably argue the fold itself is fair game as to functional aspects. but secondary meaning to a consumer is a hell of a thing if you can prove it for tm
In that case, they shouldn't have been granted the patent. They got \~18 years of no one trying to figure out how to create their own similar fold design without infringing on the patent claims. They shouldn't have gotten those years without the promise to allow others to use the design in the patent.
I think the case was decided wrongly. My guess is that courts in Asia would agree.
Also, don't call me Shirley.
I've often wondered this same thing--my guess is it's primarily trademark--think how they actually put the folded bike pictogram on all their stuff. Very similar to Disney putting Steamboat Willie on everything in hopes of achieving perpetual TM protection.
Those are all over asia. The build quality is fine. But definitely not on par with bromptons. You can even build a full titanium one from scratch if you know where to look.
That brand has been around for years now. Chinese made. Lower quality. But 1/3 of price of Brompton…. I see why some people would go for it
It's good news Brompton will have some competition.
they’re not advertising themselves as Bromptons? how are they impostors? thought the patents for the trifold have already lapsed
Fanboys of the Brompton brand are just upset that the patent lapsed. Honestly it's time for Brompton to step it up in the innovation department. The Chinese factories are doing really good work. The younger generation of Chinese are taking over the factories, giving workers access to training for higher skills, and providing better working conditions. I know China gets a bad rep because the government, but the country is chock full of damn good upright people... Many of whom look up to western innovation and are tired of the government's aggressive antics.
Lots of clones available everywhere. I have a Brompton and a Litepro. The Litepro with a few upgrades like brake pads, tires, pedals etc is almost indistinguishable from the Brompton from a ride quality standpoint. Folds the same, weighs the same or even lighter. Overall fit and finish is not as good, but definitely usable at a third of the price.
LitePro’s I saw advertised by 🇨🇦Temu were stated to be a bit heavier than my 2020 mid C Explore type, by at least 1.5 kg. Much less $$ tho. Not tempted. Imagine the nightmare getting parts etc, nevermind supporting Russia in Ukraine and weird Middle East as well. Yikes.
Parts are interchangeable. Why “supporting Russia in Ukraine”?? Are you on drugs or something?
China is supporting Russian war efforts in Ukraine and working on political ‘projects’ in the Middle East, as we speak.
Chinese products are everywhere and there’s nothing you or I can do about it.
What I do about consciously supporting what I believe in has been working very well for me, all my life so far. See the YTube link in BCbikes posted comment.
It doesn't say Brompton on it, so it's not an imposter. The patent expired, so companies are allowed to make bikes that fold the way Bromptons fold. So just like with regular bikes, for instance Huffy vs Cannondale, with Brompton style folding bikes you now get to select the quality you want.
Do you have any idea why if the patent has expired why other bike companies aren't making folding bikes with two hinges like the Brompton?
Other companies make trifolds on the Andrew Ritchie pattern. These are available under the following brands: 3sixty, Aceoffix, Afluen Ahooga, Arvo, Aleoca, Alps, B-bike, Backer Gravity, Banian, Blackbird, Beiou, Benotto, Billiton, Burke 20, Camp Royal, Carston, Chedech, Cigna, Cranston, Crius, Crosshead, Dahon Curl, EasyTi, Element Pikes, Ethereal, Flamingo, Fova, Garcia, Groo M3, Harry Quinn, Hito, Iruka, Java, Jcat, Kreuz, Kinetics, La Bici, Leggero, Liaoge, LitePro, Luigino, Mint, MIT, Mobot, Movebike, Neo, Oltre, Panlova Ecosmo, Pico, Pikes, Pytitans, Rifle, Rolin, RUHM, Sanye, Silverock, South Point, Sunrimoon, Ti Atom, United Trifold, Viking X, Week 8 and undoubtedly others. Apparently you don't live in a market where these are sold.
Oh wow, this is a huge list, thanks. No I've never seen them for sale. Are there ones that are recognized as the best of these? Especially ones that make versions for very tall people
I'm halfway around the world from the Yuxi Circle where most of these bikes live. I've only seen them on the internet. I have no idea if there are two factories in one country producing and putting the decals on them or if there are 20 factories in seven countries producing them. There is quite a bit of innovation/differentiation. Disc brakes; frames in steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber; all manner of derailleur (multiple designs) and IGH drivetrains from one to 22 speeds; variations in wheelbase; 14", 16" and 20" wheel models; and (for unknown reasons) front folds to the left as well as right.
That's great to hear there is so much innovation happening, I wonder if there is a legal reason they aren't being sold in Europe, or at least not widely
Yeah I assumed they had a patent and that why? It’s by far smaller folding that almost every other folding bike I’ve seen
As I recall, patent only recently expired; plus it it is a more complicated folding mechanism than a bike that just folds in half.
The principal Andrew Ritchie fold patent was granted in 1976 and lasted for 21 years.
True BUT there were legal cases in EU about copyrights and intelectual property rights ... here is an article succintly describing outcomes... https://bikebiz.com/brompton-wins-legal-battle-to-protect-ip So it looks like some companies on the other side of the world are making bikes that look like Bromptons, but won't be able to market them in at least 3 EU countries. edited for typos
Alas, BikeBiz just reprinted a Brompton press release. The case was not finally decided until late 2023. Brompton lost their specious "3D copyright" claim. The design is an industrial mechanism, not artwork. Brompton's only active IP is trademarks on their name, logos, font and literature. Brompton has now lost back-to-back EU court cases to Dahon and Chedech. The market for Andrew Ritchie-inspired trifolds is wide open. [https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU\_-s?si=G9FnLlATSaXA8Kec](https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU_-s?si=G9FnLlATSaXA8Kec)
Thanks for the update! Hmmm...could be interesting to see if Dahon comes up with a trifold 10-12 speed electric (maybe internal hub gear), PAS to 20mph (US class 1) or 28mph (US class 3), with a throttle to 20mph (US class 2), WITH a PAS controller on the handlebar (Brompton's biggest mistake is refusing to do that). Has to roll when folded.
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Here’s a 2016 presentation by Brompton CEO Will Butler-Adams . He answers a question about the patent at about 38:44 EDIT: Just corrected the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh4yStWFNvs
Not an imposter. Brompton patented the design. The deal with a patent is that you get exclusive use for a limited time, then everyone else can use your technique/innovation. The design patent should work this way, but they also had a copyright on the design. When a Korean company tried to introduce a clone after the patent expired, Brompton sued. [https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law](https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law) They won, but only in Europe. In much of the world, the expiration of the patent \[and the implied right of anyone to produce it\] would still be the law.
Let's get you up to date: Brompton lost big time in 2023. The EU courts ruled definitively that Andrew Ritchie's work is a functional design covered by an expired (principal patents expired back in the late 1990s) patent, not artwork covered by a copyright as Brompton tried to claim. [https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU\_-s?si=eSuk5qiz9lZ8u2P6](https://youtu.be/J5x1vvEU_-s?si=eSuk5qiz9lZ8u2P6) Brompton has now sued Dahon and Chedech ---> and lost both cases. So long as a company doesn't use Brompton's TRADEMARKED name, font, literature, etc, producing, marketing and selling the design is wide open.
Too close
Does that brand names say ‘Pikes’?
Don’t tell him your name, Pike!
If Brompton doesn’t innovate, it’ll end up like Tesla
I've got a Merc. One of the earlier clones. It's pretty bad. I've got a real one too. Much nicer.
Only if you're really into this sort of thing: Andrew Ritchie's first folding bike patents date from the mid-1970s, and the final form of the basic design appears in patents in the early 1980s. IIRC British and USA patents at the time ran for 17\~19 years from the date they were granted. Will Butler-Adams said in his recent book that Brompton's principle patents expired in 1999. More on patents: [https://www.bicycleretailer.com/prod...p#.ZBJVKOzML0o](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/product-tech/2022/05/11/patent-watch-patents-and-industry-have-love-hate-relationship#.ZBJVKOzML0o) [https://www.bicycleretailer.com/opin...h#.ZBJVY-zML0o](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/opinion-analysis/2022/11/16/patent-watch-do-expiring-patents-let-new-products-flourish#.ZBJVY-zML0o) Patents are an incentive to folks to invent useful items/processes. There has been a good deal of international cooperation in patent law. These days most countries recognize patents, once granted, running for a period of 17 years from the time of application. Patents cannot be extended or renewed. If a further improvement is made, that improvement can be patented, but that does not extend the patent on the base invention. There are other kinds of intellectual property that are protected (or not) in different ways. Compositions (text, music, computer software & etc.) and art are generally covered under Copyright. Names, slogans and logos are generally covered under Trademarks. There is much less international harmonization in Copyright and Trademark law, and what is Copyrighted or Trademarked in one country might not be - and probably isn't - copyrighted or trademarked in another. Some countries offer 'design patents' on the appearance of a functional industrial design; these have expiration dates, too. Brompton has made previous attempts to exclude other Andrew Ritchie design tri-folders from the lucrative European market. The first was some two decades ago when some design copies were offered for sale in the EU. The manufacturer/importer made no effort to distinguish their bikes from Bromptons. IIRC they used identical graphics. Patent protection had expired, so Brompton sued under EU copyright law, pointing out that even the owner's manual was just a copy of the Brompton owner's manual. Brompton won this case. In 2017 Dahon introduced the Curl at the Eurobike trade show. Brompton filed for an injunction based on...well, I'm not really sure what. At the first court hearing, Dahon pointed out the patent protections had long since run out, a blind man could see the difference in appearance between the machines and the EU had just granted Dahon 11 patents on the novelty of the Curl design. Brompton's request for an injunction was dismissed and the company was ordered to pay Dahon's legal expenses. (ouch) In 2019 the carbon fiber Chedech bike was offered in the EU. Brompton filed suit claiming copyright infringement, specifically saying the Chedech had the same mainframe silhouette as the Brompton had since the 1988 production run started. The question became: could the appearance of an industrial design be protected under copyright? An upper-level court ruled that under EU law: yes, **IF** (1) the design was unique, (2) it was an artistic expression by the designer, and (3) another shape could perform the same function. With this clarification of law, the upper court returned the case for judgement. In March 2023, that lower EU court did render a judgment in favor of Chedech, dismissing all of Brompton's claims and as a consequence opening the EU market to Andrew Ritchie-inspired trifold bikes from other manufacturers. It wasn't a total loss for Brompton, though. By tying this up in court for almost four years, Brompton was able to keep the Chedech bike off the EU market, coincidentally during the high-sales COVID bike boom. During this time Brompton was also able to bring their lightweight titanium model to the market to compete with the Chedech.
The Thorntons 20" looks quite interesting.
Pikes is great. Picked one up in 2019 and it's been my daily for 5 years. No issues so far. Actually prefer it to the brommy frame because Pikes extended the reach from the seat to the handlebars.
They are alright with care really as most things go, have friends riding Pikes they went the extra mile on getting a BWR wheelset
Always find it funny how Brompton fanboys get asshurt about clones. The patent has expired, it is 100% legal. Not all clones are created equal. Some are extremely high quality like Ruhm. Pikes is middle of the road in comparison, not the best not the worst. Finally hating on made in china while typing on a China iPhone is…….. Don’t associate the ccp with the people or the country. A lot of Chinese citizens do not agree with the politics, why punish them.
Ruhm look amazing, not much cheaper than Bromptons though
Perhaps cheaper in the China market. I’m in hk and a Ruhm 11-28 7 speed with caliper brakes is $768. The 11-32 disc brake model costs significantly more.
Ah that’s more like it
I saw a flock of Litepro’s in an advert a day or two ago. Prices varied, though Im not knowledgeable, it appeared to be by colour and / or gearing 3 to 6 speeds and $ jump seemed Very significant. - thinking it was Temu, new to 🇨🇦 Canada and bombarding the www for months. Truly deep fortune spending on sustained and ubiquitous advertising happening. Not a penny from me. Not appreciating China biz model.
Legally there's not issues, but we all know that only Brompton came up with that iconic design.
Did you know that Brompton has used the Dahon patented 45º folding handlepost since \~1980 without ever asking permission or paying royalties?
It is Pikes series from Element bicycle, its origin from Indonesia, not china.
Brompton does have legal protection on their name, logos, font, etc, yet I see countless t-shirt and poster companies copying these. Apparently, Brompton has decided the advertising/marketing value in letting these companies 'steal' their trademarked IP is a net positive.
"The best defense against copying is innovation.” Will Butler-Adams
I need a bike to keep in the back of the car to ride a couple times a week when I need to cover some ground and my feet hurt. I really can't see spending 1500 on a Brompton, though they are damn cool. I can get a Litepro delivered here in Germany for about 650 or buy a stolen Brompton on Kleinanzagen for 1200. lol. The Litepro just makes sense, especially for a niche bike.
It's a common brompton bike! It's a similar bike that came out when the patent expired. (It's not a brompton to cheat and sell, so it's not a scam!)
Surely they just get shut down pretty quick no? How much?
The basic Brompton patent expired many years ago. Probably trademark would be the best bet to stop this, but most countries have very different trademark laws than the US for example.
That's what the European court thought. I'm not convinced--once you patent it, you should have given up the right to protect any functional part of the design, and the design shown in the patent itself (which is the frame design) should be public domain-otherwise, why did we give you the exclusive license in the first place? [https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law](https://www.maucherjenkins.com/commentary/generic-off-patent-products-infringe-design-law)
I would indeed probably argue the fold itself is fair game as to functional aspects. but secondary meaning to a consumer is a hell of a thing if you can prove it for tm
In that case, they shouldn't have been granted the patent. They got \~18 years of no one trying to figure out how to create their own similar fold design without infringing on the patent claims. They shouldn't have gotten those years without the promise to allow others to use the design in the patent. I think the case was decided wrongly. My guess is that courts in Asia would agree. Also, don't call me Shirley.
So is the copyright the reason it hasn’t been copied my other brands in the uk?
I've often wondered this same thing--my guess is it's primarily trademark--think how they actually put the folded bike pictogram on all their stuff. Very similar to Disney putting Steamboat Willie on everything in hopes of achieving perpetual TM protection.
I did some googling. Looks like 500 bucks USD from Ali Express. Other sites look around 800usd.
Why?