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Magpul Responds to Gibbz Arms GAMA Letters To M-LOK Licensees

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016

Yesterday, we published a story about Gibbz Arms’ new GAMA attachmemt system and their contact with licensees of Magpul’s M-Lok attachment, soliciting them to license their product. This is Magpul’s response.

It has come to our attention that Gibbz Arms claims to have a utility patent application pending for an accessory attachment system for firearms, which they refer to as the “GAMA” system, and that they have recently issued a press release implying that companies that use the M-LOK system will need to pay for a license. However, we also note that this patent application wasn’t filed until September of 2015, which was long after Magpul filed for and obtained its own utility patents for the M-LOK system, and long after Magpul released its own M-LOK products to the market. Gibbz Arms appears be trying to impermissibly backdate its untimely utility patent application based on a prior design patent application that Gibbz filed in early 2013 for an ornamental design directed to a left-handed T-Nut. This 2013 design patent application was not publicly available until earlier this year.

Magpul expects that this attempted back-dating will be unsuccessful over the long run, and that Gibbz Arms will not be able to establish that its utility patent application was timely filed. The Gibbz utility patent filing includes broad proposed claims directed towards functions that are outside the scope of what is disclosed in its prior application for an ornamental design. Regardless, the pending claims in this utility application should not be assumed to be granted—the merits of the patent still need to be determined by the U.S. Patent &Trademark Office. Magpul fully expects that Gibbz Arms will not be successful in obtaining and maintaining a valid utility patent that will pose a concern for users of the M-LOK system. Magpul is also committed to taking whatever action is necessary, including challenges before the Patent & Trademark Office and in Federal District Court, to ensure that users of the M-LOK system continue to have complete freedom to operate without interference from, or the need to obtain a license demanded by, Gibbz Arms.

Tags: Gibbz Arms, Magpul
Posted in Industry | 7 Comments »

GIBBZ Arms Modular Attachment (GAMA) Goes After Magpul’s M-Lok Patent

Tuesday, March 1st, 2016

During SHOT Show there were murmurs about a looming patent confrontation between Gibbz Arms and Magpul. It seems that Gibbz Arms had developed an accessory attachment system for firearms that they were about to release under the name of GAMA, for GIBBZ Arms Modular Attachment. Below are the components of GAMA.

Granted, Gibbz hasn’t publicly used the word ‘Magpul’ but the primary similar design to what we see here is M-Lok. There is also the Manticore Arms ARC LOK system so perhaps Gibbz Arms is going after them as well. But regardless, Magpul M-LOK has been mentioned to me more than once in connection with this move by Gibbz Arms.

Yesterday, Gibbz not only formally announced the product, but we are told they also started sending out notices to licensees of Magpul’s M-Lok attachment system. Below is an example. No word yet on whether they’ve contacted Magpul or Manticore Arms directly as well.

Gibbz is looking for its own licensees and at this point, we don’t know what the terms of that license looks like. However, we do know that licensees of M-Lok don’t pay any fees and that they entered into their agreements with Magpul in good faith. It will be interesting to see how recipients of these letters react.

(Click to download PDF)

This is the Gibbz patent application. Don’t let the dates lull you into just dismissing this off hand. Although you notice a filing date of 21 September, 2015 and a publication date of 14 January, 2016, it’s a continuation of an application filed 26 January, 2013. And therein lies the rub. Who did what, when, and what are the claims? It sounds like Gibbz Arms and the companies with similar systems already on the street are going to have to work this one out.

(Click to download PDF)

Update: Below are PDFs of the original patent drawings for the GAMA System from 2013, as well as the revised drawings from 2015. Click the images to view the full document.

Original – 2013

Revised – 2015

Tags: Gibbz Arms, Magpul
Posted in Industry, weapons | 26 Comments »

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Closes Its Doors

Tuesday, March 1st, 2016

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports has been our go-to outdoor store for years. It’s sad to see them go. Mission Ready Equipment has closed as well.

We’ll miss you!

Tags: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports
Posted in Industry | 11 Comments »

Team Safariland’s Robert Vogel Wins The 2016 IDPA Indoor National Championship

Tuesday, March 1st, 2016

Vogel dominates for the ninth year in a row

ONTARIO Calif. – Safariland® congratulates team member Robert Vogel for winning the Stock Service Pistol (SSP) Division at the 2016 Smith & Wesson IDPA Indoor Nationals held in Springfield, Mass., February 18 – 20. Vogel dominated the entire match coming in with the fastest overall time of 207.87, and defending his title for the ninth year in a row.

Competitors gathered from all over the world to compete at the Smith & Wesson indoor shooting range in Springfield. The IDPA Nationals offered 14 stages with a round count of 260+ and each stage was designed to challenge competitors of all skill levels. Known for its challenging low-light and no-light stage scenarios, the championship required competitors to shoot while on the move and reload with a flashlight in hand.

“My Safariland gear allowed me to focus on the game and not the equipment,” said Robert Vogel. “My 5199 holster has proven that it is the best IDPA holster made as I use this holster for everything from USPSA matches to the classes I teach.”

“We are very proud of Vogel’s performance at this year’s nationals, and, more importantly, his valued feedback to our Research and Development team,” said Team Captain and Vice President, Equipment Category, Scott Carnahan. “This is a great start for Team Safariland and we look forward to a great year!”

Vogel participates in IDPA competitions with the Safariland holster Model 5199, Open Top Concealment Belt Clip Holster with Detent, the Model 773, Single Magazine Holder that is mounted to a 744BL Belt Clip, and model 032 Range Belt. For more information, visit www.safariland.com/dutygear.

Tags: Robert Vogel, Team Safariland
Posted in Industry, Press Release | 2 Comments »

Kevin Brittingham To Launch Q, A New Brand, On 1 March

Monday, February 29th, 2016

Right before SHOT Show, we told you Kevin Brittingham planned to form a new company after recently leaving SIG SAUER. Now it’s happening, and quickly.

Kevin Brittingham doesn’t mess around, announcing a 1 March launch of his new brand. Named simply Q, they’ll start out with just 10 employees, but it’s quite the lineup. If you’ve known Brittingham for any length of time, these names will come as no surprise. There’s Robby Johnson as overall VP, Ethan Lessard to VP of Engineering, Lindsay Bunch VP of Operations, and Jessica Gauvin as VP of Business Development.

Brittingham sees his own role at Q as recruiting, steering the boat, funding and to a certain degree, marketing. But even then, his concept of marketing isn’t traditional. It’s really more of keeping the brand true to his vision and making sure people are aware of that fact.

Another interesting thing is the ages of the company’s members. At 42 years, Kevin Brittingham is the second oldest in the company. One of his goals is to give young people a shot and he’ll be looking for promising talent. He said, “You don’t have to be somewhere for 20 years to show everyone you are deserving.”

While it’s a small company and people are going to be wearing a lot of hats, ambitions are high. The goal is Silencers, Accessories and Firearms by SHOT Show 2017. He said he plans to conduct live fire demos of three preproduction firearms at SHOT, although he wouldn’t get into specifics.

As part of Q’s 12 and 36 month plans, Brittingham has built in incremental growth and team building as crucial to success. He sees it as “knowing what we’re doing and giving people the right opportunities.” Although he doesn’t want to grow too fast, he knows exactly where he wants to be. Envisioning an “AAC 2.0” he’s determined to apply lessons learned (both good and bad) from previous companies. His business inspirations aren’t gun companies but rather business giants like Amazon and Red Bull who have changed the rules. However, one thing he won’t change is focus. To generate sales, the concept is initially to concentrate on government customers and then work toward commercial sales of those products.

Q is primarily self-funded by proceeds from Brittingham’s sale of AAC to Remington, but he has also brought in some investors who are reportedly participating solely for the returns. In fact, he was amazed at the confidence, not only from investors, but also from those who’ve joined him as employees at Q.

The company is located in New Hampshire. Brittingham loves the area and has put down roots. In addition to a new personal home, the Q factory is just a mile from his former office at SIG. He told me that it’s where talent is located and he didn’t want his employees to have to move.

If I could describe Q in one word it would be ambitious, but it’s not as if he’s starting from scratch. This isn’t Kevin Brittingham’s first trip to the rodeo and he’s already started to assemble a team of rock stars. Q definitely has a leg up.

It’s going to be an exciting ride, so hold on.

Tags: Kevin Brittingham, Q
Posted in Industry | 17 Comments »

EKA Expands And Established U.S. Facility

Monday, February 29th, 2016

South Florida ( February 2016) Swedish based EKA Knivar AB, has announced plans to expand its global footprint and brand exposure, by establishing an office and distribution center in the South Florida (Miami – Fort Lauderdale –Palm Beach) area. This new operation will allow EKA to better service, support and supply, the North & South American markets.

EKA has been manufacturing innovative and quality products since 1882. There are many events worth mentioning in EKA’s past. In 1968 the “Classic 6” was the first EKA knife to go into Space. In 1990 a Royal Warrant Certificate was awarded to EKA, by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. After 133 years they still uphold the same values that have made EKA an established, successful and sought after brand. EKA looks forward to continuing its rich history and welcomes the future and all of the opportunities to come.

In the Knife Survey, conducted and published in the June 2015 edition of Gun Trade World, EKA was ranked as
the 5th Best-Selling Brand, placing them ahead of many well-known name brands. EKA continually strives to bring
to market, premium, cutting edge, best in class products at fair and competitive prices. EKA’s range is currently comprised of products for the avid outdoorsman, tactical & rescue services, culinary experts, collectors and industry professionals.

Promotional and personalized gifts have been a large part of EKA’s market and success, for over half a century. EKA has worked with thousands of global brands, such as Volvo, Electolux, Absolut Vodka, Daimler Benz, Mobil, Coca-Cola, Gulf, Wilkinson, IBM, McDonnell Aircraft, 3M, Nokia and 44,000 others. They have also produced custom knives for former US Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Johny Kanaan, the man behind EKA says, “We are looking forward with great anticipation to EKA’s new presence in the United States and the endless opportunities that this endeavor will provide for the Americas.”

www.ekaknives.com

Tags: EKA Knivar
Posted in Industry, International, Knives, Press Release | Comments Off on EKA Expands And Established U.S. Facility

Shield Sights Receives ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Saturday, February 27th, 2016

Dorset, England — February 25, 2016 – Shield Sights announced today that it has received the highly sought after ISO 9001:2015 certification. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established the ISO 9001:2015 certification as the newly revised international standards for Quality Management Systems and Environmental Management Systems. Shield Sights is one of only a few Red Dot Sight manufacturers in the world who is currently ISO 9001:2015 certified.

“Shield Sights is committed to excellence as we are always striving to offer the highest quality products and customer service and having the ISO 9001:2015 certification is another testament to that commitment,” said James White, marketing director at Shield Sights. “As we look to expand our product distribution into the United States in 2016, this international certification will help ensure the quality our customers in the US and around the world expect.”

Shield Sights has been fundamentally committed to strict quality control and management systems since the company’s inception in the 1980’s. This new certification confirms Shield Sights manufacturing processes and procedures conform to these standards.

“We’re incredibly excited about what this international certification means for Shield Sight’s future as a company and are so proud of our entire staff for achieving this tremendous honor,” said James White.

The ISO is the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards and its standards are recognized worldwide. ISO-certified organizations are required to continually improve the effectiveness of their quality management system through the use of product and service quality policies and objectives, audit results, analysis of data, corrective and preventive actions and management review.

For more information on Shield Sights please visit, shieldsights.com.

Tags: Shield Sights
Posted in Industry, Press Release | 2 Comments »