Patent Infringement: Shotgun Concho Dog Collar

[HellcatLeathers]

If I worked in a law firm I would definitely ask the question to be sure, just curious, but why have you not done that yet?

Attorneys aren't free, even when you work with them. I did ask for a reference for a patent attorney, specifically...just haven't heard back yet.

[HellcatLeathers]

ADMIN: Is there a place available where we can take this thread offline? My neighborhood forum has a thread called "The Insiderdome" that people have to request access to and comments in it are offline and not viewable to non-members nor the internet. I would like to speak more freely and put in what I really think, but I am keeping this to facts and professionalism as it is viewable on the internet.

Anyone who would like to discuss more via email, feel free to email me at: hellcatleathers@gmail.com or info@hellcatleathers.com

With that being said. I found Adam Benjamin's Facebook page. I can't post a link here now (FB is blocked here) but I can tell you it is "GRIZZLY COLLARS" and the profile pic is a Rottweiler dog with a collar. He has 10 pics posted and his collars look nothing like my one collar did. Will try and post this evening when I get home. His email is: grizzlycollars@yahoo.com

I can't find any other website or online store. No Etsy store either.

By the way, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, opinions and advice on this matter. I have never experienced such a community as I have on this site...it's nice for someone to have your back. Thank y'all!

[HellcatLeathers]

Oh, and by the way, I have not responded to him since he threatened me with his attorney. The funny thing is, he obviously didn't even read my previous email because I said the 1 collar I had made, which I since removed from my Etsy store, so I'm not in violation of anything.

[Cyberthrasher]

Anyone who would like to discuss more via email, feel free to email me at: hellcatleathers@gmail.com or info@hellcatleathers.com

PM me any info you have and I'll see if I can gather any further information. I tried searching FB for anything with "Grizzly Collars" and came up with nothing. It was small print, but I could have sworn his patent showed a listing to an etsy store. I could be wrong though.

[Cyberthrasher]

I just did some more searching and Google provides a better view of the patent information for anybody interested in gathering evidence

http://www.google.com/patents/USD677191#npl-citations

[shtoink]

I did a few minutes of searching and found these...

Mind you, they may, or may not actually be the same person referenced above.

I found nothing useful search with "Grizzly Collars"

USPTO <-- patent information

Wyoming Inventors <-- patent information

MyLife.com <--- a people search for the same same, city, and state listed in the patent information

Etsy.com <-- a very empty etsy page..

Change.org <-- some petition he signed

This is all public information and was found with a simple search.

[RMB Custom Leather]

Hey everyone the Shotgun Conchs are on sale at Tandys this month just got an email....just thought I would mention

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/7403-00.aspx?tcd=13-E17TEM

Edited May 17, 2013 by RMB Custom Leather

[veedub3]

I just saw the email as well and I did have a good laugh. Didn't the poster say they contacted TandY?

[HellcatLeathers]

LOL....OMG....if Tandy just put the conchos on sale for me, I will just crack up! Awesome! Let's all buy some and make some hatbands, belts, wristcuffs and dog collars!!!! WOOHOO!

[WinterBear]

I'm really surprised that the patent was granted, to be honest. I don't see how it is a appreciably new design idea worthy or a patent? Especially since there were people who used shot shotgun shells on there belts long before there were the commercially made conchos. Saw a lot of them in the 80s and 90s--belts, mostly, but the odd gun sling or whatnot. The "conchos" usually had rivets or screws soldered onto the base of real, fired shells to make the elements. Anyway, there are a lot of people out there who were using shell ends or shotgun shell conchos on dog collars before the date on the patent. I did a quick rummage around the web and found you some links.

Shotgun shell collars

2011 (predating patent)

http://doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/just-a-couple-new-collar-pics.8996/

2010

http://www.etsy.com/listing/33696422/custom-dog-collar-shotgun-shells-large

2009

http://doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/sorry-gotta-brag-true-collars.3721/

http://www.etsy.com/listing/32134392/shotgun-shell-studded-dog-collar-for

2007

http://www.supercoolpets.com/archives/2007/12/shotshell_dog_collar_and_lead.php

Other shot-gun like elements on straps --2009

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/16251896

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/22383967