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Specialized v. Scott USA

Specialized v. Scott USA. UC Berkeley Patent Engineering Presentation. Kenny Rakestraw. Case discusses US patent infringement and how after a long trial, the accused party gave up fighting in US, but can’t be sued outside of US. Company Intro.

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Specialized v. Scott USA

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  1. Specialized v. Scott USA UC Berkeley Patent Engineering Presentation Kenny Rakestraw Case discusses US patent infringement and how after a long trial, the accused party gave up fighting in US, but can’t be sued outside of US.

  2. Company Intro • Specialized and Scott USA are two of the top bike companies in the USA • Design mountain bikes, time trial bikes, commuter bikes, etc. • Scott is popular in over 60 countries outside USA

  3. Case Specifics • July 2004 • Patent dispute over its FSR four-bar linkage suspension patent with ‘Horst Link’ • Lawsuit against Scott USA, seeking to prevent the company from selling full-suspension mountain bike models in the United States.

  4. Four-bar Link Suspension • Several linkage points to activate the shock. Pivots • Top of the seat stay • Behind the bottom bracket • Mounted on the chain stay, as shown it is known as the ‘Horst Link’. Can be placed just above the rear axle on seat stay.

  5. Bike Parts Reference

  6. Four-bar ‘Horst’ Link Suspension • Designed by Horst Leitner in 1991 • Specialized bought the Horst Link patent in May of 1998. Applied it to FSR suspension design. • 3rd pivot is on chain stay below axle • Cycles freely—even when the rear brakes are applied • Smooth and uninhabited suspension on rough terrain • FSR linkage also limits chain growth, pedal feedback and brake jack.

  7. Suspension Designs Scott USA Specialized

  8. Disadvantages without Horst Link • 3rd pivot on seat stay rather than chain stay • When applying brakes, the rear suspension stiffens slightly and the rear wheel stops damping vibrations from bumpy terrain • Rear axle’s path is more like that of a single-pivot bike

  9. Scott USA drops 18 month lawsuit Scott USA will not sell Genius full-suspension bikes in USA Scott USA focuses on alternative design, the Ransom Case Resolution Scott’s Ransom full carbon mountain bike

  10. Future of Innovation • I-drive was born • Many companies pursue virtual pivot designs. • Small companies that presents little risk to Specialized’s market share may pay to utilize the Horst Link design. • Big competitors will be brought to court I-Drive Virtual Pivot

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