Japan recognizes Maglite shape as trademark

[nisshin]

It seems that in Japan, the "Intellectual Property High Court" recognized Mag Instruments' claim that the shape of the Mini-Maglite can be a trademark. I suppose flashlights in Japan that look like Mini-Maglites will now have to be differently designed, or higher priced. Original news article: Property court recognizes U.S.-made flashlight as 3D trademark.

 

[Monocrom]

You'd think the folks over at Maglite would have better things to do with their time.... Like actually trying to become the best again, since getting knocked off the top of the hill by several of their competitors. :ironic:

 

[WNG]

Mag Instruments, now run by the marketing and legal departments.

 

[RCatR]

I support their fighting over people who steal their designs-if I worked hard and took alot of time/money/blood/sweat/etc to get something rolling; I'd go after a knockoff too.

My theory on the crappy magleds is that they have a warehouse with 5 billion maglites and didn't want to go the osink route due to the massive amounts of already assembled lights:candle:

 

[KingGlamis]

Everything is copied overseas now. Even an old, old, old design like a Maglite will be copied if it sells, and apparently they do. It still baffles me why Maglite doesn't come out with flashlights that have a different/more modern look.

Although not the Mini Mag mentioned in the story, here is a shot of my 4D Mag next to a cheap import 3D. Pretty close.