https://www.bing.com/search?q=black...3522F05&FORM=QBLH&sp=1&ghc=1

Dose this look familiar?

No one said anything about the position trip pan.

Casting a jaw was never the issue either.THE exact 550 cast jaw was copied.If you think there was no R+D on developing a specific cast jaw,several different updated versions,you don't know anything about the design and casting process.Shocking.

The MB 550 has a unique frame.Oh yes,traps have had frames forever.Not this one.It was copied exactly.This took a lot of R+D to develope.

It takes a ton of research and developement to develope dies and equipment to stamp out all the parts.Even the levers are designed for that trap.It isn't about levers have been made before and you know that.Duke copied that specific part,albeit with cheaper material.

Why don't they design and build their own,better trap? Because they don't do expensive R+D.It is partly why they can sell cheaper.Let someone else do the expensive part.

The 550 is the most blatant example of this that they have done.Theft of ideas and intellectual properties deters talented people from creating new and better things.That affects all of use,even Duke.It can reduce their selection of traps to copy.I'm sure they are doing well.They have a solid business plan for making money.I couldn't do it.

Relax Beav,you're not going to buy either,anyway.

Your right.
I talked to Bill Duke and asked him If he would name the new 650 "The Beav special" He said he would take It under consideration. LOl

Make sure you get royalties.There was a lot of R+D that went into creating your "brand".

So no one knows when the first mb 550 was introduced?

Sorry,I don't but have wondered this myself.I have had mine for maybe 6 years but I know they were out years before I tried them.I hope someone will answer you question.

Beav,



You know as much as anyone about dukes.


Did they actually design any models that they produce?

I wish they would copy a sterling.

Never been a fan of that style of trigger.

I can ask.

take a look at the wts brand of dingo traps? they look like an exact copy of the #3 dogless bridger and the #5 bridger traps. or are the bridger traps and exact copy of the wts traps?

I love this thread. It quickly shows me who has similar morals and values. WhoI have respect for. Being new it helps shorten the learning curve.

If duke would have developed this trap and MB copied it would this have been ok. I think most traps are copies of a other traps already out there. Patents will prevent this for a short time frame

Copying a concept is common.This is a direct copy of the MM550.way different.Add insult to injury,they did it to a business associate-MTP has sold their products for years.A US patent doesn'T work in a foreign country.You can get patents in other countries but patents are expensive and it is cost prohibitive.Would anyone trust a Chinese court to give you justice?Wow,that just sent chills up my spine.

I'm no Patent lawyer but I can't see any part of any coil spring trap that can be patented In the US or any other country.
The Grizz DP had a patent on part of the trap but not the whole trap.

I would think a new design of the dog trigger mechanism or something you could probably patent. But since the majority of traps are made in China and China ignores US patent law; well I couldn't really see bothering with it.

Well one thing no-one has addressed is that the MB550 jaws are a unique,creative design and are an intellectual
property,just like a sculpture.Not like a stamped out jaw.They are unique creation and as such would fall under copyright law which attaches AT the moment of creation.You don't have to file a copyright if you can prove you had it first.Any question who had it first?Copyright lasts way beyond a patent.

True Taxi but the 550 has had at least 3 different jaw designs. The originals were by far the best on feet. Wish they never would have changed. Only will run MBs here. I’m thinking I had my first long dog 550s back in 08 or 09. Not 100% though.

All 3 designs would still be under copyright.I think I may have a few of that first design.I haven't noticed a difference but haven't studied it either.

Do you know when the MB550 first came out?

Not sure Taxi. Do you remember when they had the big fat jaws? Wasn’t very long but they were really different.