SIG MMG 338 Program Series

The Camo Wars Heat Up – Crye Precision Sues Duro Textiles For IP Infringement

On 12 November 2014, Crye Precision filed suit in New York Southern District Court against Duro Textiles, LLC claiming IP infringement. While we have no further details, we can only wonder if this isn’t a step by Crye to protect their IP in the interest of their current licensees. And, we must wonder if this move isn’t somehow connected to the unresolved royalty situation with the US Army. Crye Precision has not responded to requests for comment, however considering this is an ongoing legal dispute we would be surprised to hear from them.

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31 Responses to “The Camo Wars Heat Up – Crye Precision Sues Duro Textiles For IP Infringement”

  1. Ron says:

    And there goes our chances of a new uniform

  2. SN says:

    Won’t blame Crye for protecting their copyrights.
    Government is quick to infringe or ask for a waiver enabling them to buy from another vendor.
    I wish Crye well.

    • Ron says:

      I agree completely. I’ve met the guys from Crye and they seem like great guys. I think we should have just paid them what they asked. I don’t think it was unreasonable request.

  3. patrulje says:

    The Army is trying to get multicam on the cheap, go figure. I wish Crye every success in their law suits. CSM (ret) J.

    • Justin M. says:

      The Gov paid to develop it and crye has had years to profit on the backs of the users.

      • Evan says:

        No, the govt. Paid for a development of a pre-existing product, and had a limited use license.

        • Justin M. says:

          Crye developed Scorpion under a government contract in 2002, and it was later used for Objective Force Warrior, a soldier systems development program, according to Guy Cramer, CEO of a competing camouflage developer, HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp., of British Columbia.

          Did the original pattern not come from Natick Labs?

          • Mac says:

            Did you miss the the reporting where SSD pointed out that Crye OWNS the rights to Scorpion and that the Army was supposed to get permission from Crye to do any modifications to the pattern?

            • Joe momma says:

              Wouldn’t modifying the pattern make it Not scorpion and therefore a new pattern?

              • Mac says:

                Except that according to that same reporting by SSD, the Army was supposed to get permission from Crye (according to the copyright) before even modifying the pattern.

                Notice that the Army calls it Scorpion W2—which would indicate a variation of the existing pattern vs a completely new one, which probably also how the Army trying to get around the 2014 NDAA.

  4. Krogher says:

    I hope that the Army just settles, pays the proper fee, and we can get our new uniform. Everyone plays; everyone wins.

  5. Jon C. says:

    I’m just here for the shenanigans in the comments…

  6. BS says:

    So that’s the main reason behind 1947 taking over all the Multicam fabrics business?

  7. 10thMountainMan says:

    I’m no lawyer, but based on what I’ve seen I think Crye is in the right here. I selfishly hope it does not delay me getting into a respectable uniform, but not at the expense of someone’s intellectual property. Sigh…… I should have been a Ranger.

  8. CAVstrong says:

    I think this will be an interesting case to watch unfold. It will all depend on what Crye is actually asserting. If they are suing because they own the copywrite to Scorpion W2, or if they are arguing that Scorpion W2 is to similar to Multicam.

    If they aruge the latter it may not turn out well for them…it didn’t for Gibson Guitars….

  9. bulldog76 says:

    Well all hell done broke loose

  10. corsair says:

    Duro is/was a PIA to work with anyways.

  11. Mick says:

    SSD, I’d love to see a copy of the complaint…

  12. Strike-Hold says:

    People – this isn’t about Crye suing the Army, its about Crye suing Duro…

  13. mcs says:

    Uh-oh. They seemed pretty dang integrated there for awhile, apparently something went south.

  14. FHRITP says:

    I feel like this is a precursor to more and bigger lawsuits eventually goin after the army

  15. Really!? says:

    Sorry SSD, but I have to ask what you think about this one. Do you think this law suit is *most likely* related to printing uniforms or OCIE for the Army. One can only assume that this is hurting Duro’s relationship with Crye.

    Pure speculation… This could mean that Duro was willing to risk burning that bridge in order to secure a substantial contract with someone else (US Army?).

    • SSD says:

      There is no Crye Precision relationship with Duro. Duro does not currently hold a license to print MultiCam yet continues to advertise that they do.

      • CAVstrong says:

        So do you think this lawsuit and the Amry’s camo transition are unrelated?

        • SSD says:

          Not at all. Since Duro is unlicensed, the Army may believe that Duro is unencumbered by a licensing fee to Crye. The Army has teetered on the edge of federal racketeering laws as it has encouraged printers to break their contractual obligations with Crye. Depending on how the license fee that Duro entered into years ago with Crye this may or may not be the case that they can print sxorpion for the Army. I am unaware of what is in the contract as they are confidential.

          That is all conjecture based on these facts; the Army does want Duro to print Scorpion and Duro continues to publicly promote their association with MultiCam and Crye Precision.

        • CAVstrong says:

          Looks like I’ll start buying UCP uniforms again….

          I think it’s about time for the DoD to wake up and order everyone to adopt the same camo pattern. Whether that’s Marpat, AOR, Scorpion, Authentic Multicam or something. It’s time to put this issue to bed and move on to bigger better issues.

          • SSD says:

            The transition will happen. It just has to play out. The Army should have put as much energy into negotiating with Crye as it did trying to make an end run.

            • Really!? says:

              I think that about sums up our current position. Presumptive action has been confused with leadership.

      • Really?! says:

        Holy S… Wow.