SHOT SHOW 2012: MEGA ARMS 308 Semi Automatic Rifle
- Thread starter greentips
- Start date
Yeah, but, you ask joe schmo if gun owners want the AR15 de-restricted you're answer will be "what's an ar15?" "no?" "aren't those things illegal?"
All bad answers. Our publicity sucks.
You're absolutely right. Although in our defense, reporters didn't give a sh*t either when we told them how c68 was really gonna screw us
We have the MATEN 308 Billet Sets coming and they should be here shortly. We also have a few other Mega products coming as well.
Unfortunately the Monolithic Uppers can't be legally imported or sold in Canada because of a Patent infringement issue, so that rules out selling the Monolithic Uppers or Mega's newly announced rifle as it is currently configured.
We have spoken to Mega about making a version of their 308 rifle without the Monolithic Upper so that it can be sold in Canada. We have also spoken to them about supplying the BCG's and barrels for customer builds using their MATEN billet set... that optioni should be available later this year.
The problem with their monolithic upper is that LMT has a Patent pending in the US that covers any and all monolithic rail designs for any AR type rifle. The Patent is still pending in the US and once it is approved (which it will eventually be) then Mega will be liable for the lawsuit that will inevitably follow.
Here in Canada the Patent has already been approved and granted, so at this point the product can't be legally imported or sold here.
I know that LMT's Patent lawyers have already started sending out notice letters.
We had some discussion with Mega at SHOT about this... they apparently were not aware of the patent that LMT had filed years ago (when they were creating their MRP upper concept, before their MRP uppers were ever released onto the market). Mega seemed unaware that the patent had been approved in Canada... or that it was pending in the US... they are now.
Back to the MATEN billet sets, I expect that pricing on the MATEN uppers will be up on our website in the next week or so and we'll be taking orders at that time.
The patent details are extensive so I'll just post the Patent number that was granted and let those who are interested read the details directly from the CIPO website. The Patent is #2485710 and it can be looked up at:
http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2485710/summary.html?query=(2485710)&start=1&num=50&type=advanced_search#Details
The patent covers a number of different design concepts including the Monolithic Rail.
It would affect anyone manufacturing or importing or selling such products in Canada.
Mark
Vltor VIS starts with two pieces.
From their website:
"The manufacturing process of the VIS is unique...starting with what is essentially a traditional separate upper receiver and handguard, these parts are partially machined then permanently joined using an exclusive welding process - this composite unit is then stress relieved, final machined and heat treated."
LMT seems pretty set on shutting down anyone infringing on their patent, especially the small to medium size companies. Someone the size of Colt has big pockets and can afford to fight the lawsuit and pay the penalty awards when they lose... The smaller companies will go broke if they try that. Colt might sell enough product to make it attractive for LMT to set royalty fees and for Colt to go that route, but that will also raise Colt's costs which in turn would increase the selling price of any product affected by the patent.
It's no different than the claims Colt made on the patents they held for various portions of the AR design, etc.
Speaking with Karl at SHOT he has little interest in licensing his MRP concept or in allowing others to use his idea... It should be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
I always figured that if you have a patent, and I significantly improve on your patent, then I was good to go.
Since the difference from one to the other could be arguably 'better' like Mega's barrel nut design over LMT's use of a bolt and torque wrench, The Mega distributes the torque over the barrel equally in the same proven method used since the design of the rifle...or the process of how vltor assembles two parts into one... a variation, or improvement could be argued.
I always figured the barrel nut concept was a proven design although painful to do, would stand up over multiple barrel changes better than contracting aluminum along a single point.
Technically the Tavor uses a similar idea to LMT to hold in the barrel, but improved it significantly by using a captured lobed pin, and a lock to control torque, so no tools are required but still holding in the barrel via a single notch...but maybe LMT will take them on too ?
How are NEA barrels retained?
Since the difference from one to the other could be arguably 'better' like Mega's barrel nut design over LMT's use of a bolt and torque wrench, The Mega distributes the torque over the barrel equally in the same proven method used since the design of the rifle...or the process of how vltor assembles two parts into one... a variation, or improvement could be argued.
I always figured the barrel nut concept was a proven design although painful to do, would stand up over multiple barrel changes better than contracting aluminum along a single point.
Technically the Tavor uses a similar idea to LMT to hold in the barrel, but improved it significantly by using a captured lobed pin, and a lock to control torque, so no tools are required but still holding in the barrel via a single notch...but maybe LMT will take them on too ?
How are NEA barrels retained?
North Eastern Arms
Manufacturer-Business Member
Patents only apply to the product at hand. Youre right that if you generate a number of changes/improvements to a patent it is another product completely. Patent lawyers really know their field and can be a valuable asset to any company that creates any new product. Money well spent.. Certainly cheaper than a court defense.
How our barrels are retained will be released when our upper is released. Unlike our standard AR, for obvious reasons, weve been playing this hand pretty close to our chest.
I just wanted to say I love Mega products, I was the first to own a Mega in Canada a few years back and fore one would love to see them here. took almost 3 months to get the Mega here when I first had the paperwork done. I bought 2 Mega Gators this was my first one both consecutive serial numbers. Now Mega makes a receiver for a company called Red River tactical based in Texas, Now thats one frame I really wan't to see here.
flying_scotsman
Regular
I googled it, and came up with butkiss WRT relevance. I vote typo. No disrespect intended, Mr. greentips, sir.
I just patented the word 'simpleton.' Send me $53.27 Billion if you wish to keep posting on the interwebs.
