JerryM

I think that many makers do develop their own designs from those who have come before.
Since this thread addresses such, I would be interesting in hearing from makers as to where does copying end and one's own design begin. That is not an argument question, but just a matter of interest.

I notice that many holster makers are making a design where the loops are not at the mouth of the holsters, such as the VM2, and Kevin's Laredo Defender. If I remember Kevin has stated that it is based upon an Alessi design. I see nothing wrong with that. I have one of Kevin's Laredo Defenders, and it is a great holster.
I also have two of Tony's ExC and they are my favorite IWB holsters.

I am not sure who started that design, but someone had the idea first. So my question as to where copying and a take off separate?
Again, do not take this question and comments as being critical or argumentative.

Regards,
Jerry

T. Kanaley

Yep, Paris Theodore was a visionary and quite the character. He sold Seventrees manufacturing rights to both Ken Null and Lou Alessi and then turned around a few years later and sued both of them. Or so I'm told anyway. Good thing there wasn't an internet around back then.

Anyhoo, here's a shot from the Seventrees catalog that I had squirelled away.

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Milt Sparks Holsters, Inc.
www.miltsparks.com
Second Best is not an option

rathos

In my opinion, every holster maker after the ones originating the said design is a rip off artist. I have heard no one rip on wild bills for having a complete rip off of the summer special, the "Summer Heat", or galco for their royal guard ripping off the same holster. I have seen a few other holster makers pop up here and there and guess what, they have the same designs as everyone else. If you don't want to buy the holster then don't buy it, but don't bad mouth the guy for using a design that is pretty well proven. Many holster designers have done it and are doing it to this day.

If you dont' like competition, get into another line of work. If you sell good products then you won't have to worry about not making any money. With the market that milt sparks has I am sure they are not going to go out of business anytime soon because someone else makes a holster like theirs. They are still doing just fine selling the summer special and there are many designs just like it on the market.

With that said, flame on because I know most are not going to like this post.

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‘‘To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.’’

— George Mason

Tangle

I agree; I won't buy one either.

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My other car is a 1911.

P95Carry

One, no - two things come to mind.

Immitation is (potentially) the sincerest form of flattery

Second - in the end there is only so much scope for design of things like holsters ....... so almost inevitably there will be some aspects where similarity is so close as to be near a seeming copy.

I am not happy with what might seem a total ''rip-off'' but for sure ..... there have to be limits to what is possible within the options available..

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Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

los

So, when is Colt going to file suit against Kimber and all the other 1911 manufacturers..?

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What we've got here is failure to communicate.

dr_cmg

Patent only lasts for 20 years. It's a little late to sue now.

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George

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

K-Man

After I had designed the Laredo Defender, I contacted Lou and showed him a picture of it and asked him if he thought it too closely resembled his CQC/S. His response? No, it did not and he thanked me for asking. IMO, if you take the time to do something like that, then you'll alleviate anybody coming along and saying that you're ripping off another's design.

I think there can be at times a very fuzzy line as to where one design ends and the other begins. There are some clear cut differences at times also. I don't know that taking a single feature/function from another's holster design and adding/incorporating it into your own design would be a rip off. I know some holster makers do have patents on certain functions of the product they make.

S3ymour

part of business and commerce is people trying to make something that someone else has made better or for less. This is an inevitable fact that drives industry. Some people want cheap others want fancy or the best quality. I believe that what a general respect should be shown to competitors and peers alike. If someone is challenging a product that you make, what sets yours apart. We all have reasons why we buy holsters from the makers of our choosing. IMO I'll stick with the holster makers that make the product that works for me. I've been really impressed lately with both K&D leather and UBG holsters for their attitude, and responses to my numerous questions. The prices are what I would expect to pay for a quality holster and they both have come a long way on their designs.

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"All war is deception" --Sun Tzu
MOΛΩN ΛABÉ

JerryM

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the reply. It makes sense to me. A courtesy to another will often pay great dividends.

Regards,
Jerry