Knock offs are everywhere in the gun world. At the last fun show I went to there was a guy selling a knock-off of MagPul's PRS adjustable stock for $125.00. In fact his whole table was nothing but AR & H&K knock-offs. He was doing a brisk business.

I really feel for those that put the time, money, and their reputations on the line offering a quality product only to have some tool knock it off. I was thinking about getting a bent bolt and some odd parts from them but I don't care to deal with folks who do others dirty. The buck or two they saved knocking off then selling a spring of unknown quality ended up costing them my business. Thanks for the heads-up. I just removed them off my favorites list.

I find it interesting that this banner is at the top of his homepage.

I guess he needs to do things like this to get his $17,000 back. Sounds like bad karma to me. And I'm sure there's plenty more on the way.

I want to caution those who would like to use the Forums name in any form of protest. I don't like it, but we need to protect the forum. What you say here, when you leave here let it stay here.

I'm still shaking my head that he would do this, I've bought from him for years.

Someone who has the nerve to steal from a hard working entrepreneur has the chimichongas to tell everyone who to bank with because of business ethics? I'll bank with Wachovia because they haven't screwed me over.

I have never and will never buy from this guy. We plan on doing a mass email to let everyone know what kind of business he runs over there and not support a scumbag.

He can sleep at night screwing over someone honest (and they do not get more honest or kind than Clyde) but cry like a little girl when it happens to him. Boo hoo, I hope he never gets his money back from the bank it is karma.

I have to agree with Todd. Thats a...well the words it brings up aren't appropriate for this forum so I shall not type them. I hope everything works out for you man. I haven't purchased one of these springs but since I have a couple mosins I may just do so.

NOTE: Not a lawyer, could be wrong!



Well, there's such a thing as "poor man's copyright", but it actually doesn't give you copyright protection. it can only be used to back up evidence that you copyrighted something first, but doesn't itself prove that you were the first.

In any case, the only copyright issue here is the photo. It won't apply to the product. For that you would need a patent. If you get it to the patent office first (and have it patented) then he could still challenge you in the future, claiming he made his first, but as long as you can back that up with the emails and forum posts (gotta talk with the owner about that one) where you sent them to members, as well as member testimony, you could prove that yours was indeed first, assuming it goes that far. Having the emails where you sent him the product in the first place is a MAJOR bonus, shows that he didn't even have one until you sent him one of yours!

For now I guess you can market it as the "ORIGINAL Slack Spring, accept no substitutes!".

It's becoming more clear what I can and can't do. With the help of an attorney. He's at least not using my pictures now to sell his product. I can't begin to tell you how much it irritates me knowing he is selling quite a few inferior springs. With the feedback I'm getting through emails and forums it looks like I'm getting a lot of support and I really appreciate it. I have not at the moment decided to pursue a patent. It is very expensive and will depend on sales going into next year. I do know that if someone tries to patent it before myself I can fight it. By the way Zeliard I like the "ORIGINAL Slack Spring, accept no substitutes!" Right now I'm using Genuine Slack Spring on my web site. But with your permission I think I might use your slogan. I really like that. Thanks again everyone for your help. Clyde

You should trademark the slogan that you're gonna use to advertise your product lest he steal that from you as well.

John E

Agreed.


My brother is in law, and he has had a case where brothers inherited a company from their father, only thing is that the two brothers got in a fight and split the company. Son's name followed by the company is what they agreed to, then it went more south and the one started changing the title to "The Original/The First: Company", endless fighting, ended up getting a cease and desist order and were forced to change back to the original name. Then came slander etc etc, got real messy, I'm sure they're still fighting.


Get it first before the prick even thinks of it.

I am truly disgusted that buymilsurp.com would pull a stunt like that! It really makes me wonder how many other items sold are someone elses. I was looking at a barrell and receiver for a mossin 91/30 on his site and now I refuse to give him any of my business! Does anyone have any ideas where I may find these items at a reasonable price with a reputable site? I wish you the best with your situation and I hope all works out!

Just to give everyone a little heads up. Combat Optical or Fishinghuntingsports as they go by on Ebay is a legitimate reseller of my spring. So far I have a good relationship with them. I just wanted to let you know because I have had some response thinking they were selling knockoffs also. I only have one company stealing my idea and that is Buymilsurp.com. He is also starting to sell these knockoffs on Ebay as (mkubes). I don't think he knows it yet but from the response I have received I think he will loose a lot more business then he got from this spring. Again thanks to everyone that has offered support. Have a Great New Year

It makes me sad to read about people in the gun trade that pull stunts like this...so to show you my support (for what it's worth) I ordered one of your springs for a M44 Mosin. Good luck with your endeavor!

It's sad to hear that you went through all the trouble and research to market a good quality product just to have someone else take your product and run with it. Obviously he's smart enough (and bold enough ) to know that he could run with your idea and that nothing can be done about it. This doesn't make it right, but it sounds like legally you'd spend more time and money suing him than you'd get from selling and making a million springs. The best thing IMHO is to just spread the word about what is going on and for everyone to send him a nice e-mail informing him that you are aware of what went on and that you will no longer be buying anything from him until he makes things right. Sorry to hear this happened and I wish you the best with your future sells.