All sorts of crazy patents out there. Some guy had patented the car, even though people had
built many cars before his patent. IIRC he collected many, many millions in royalties by very early
car makers (like GM) who were scared to take him on in court. Henry Ford took him on and won,
the patent was BS.
Then again there are us poor fools who patented a real thing, expecting it to keep people
from producing it for profit. Turns out at least one big gunsmith makes a solid side business
of stealing patented gun parts and selling them. Costs way too much to sue, I know of at least two patents
they cheated on, extended middle finger (in a polite letter from their attorney) when notified of
the infringement. The other poor shmoe is another well known custom smith, tried to sue them, but
rapidly ran out of $$. Patents are overrated, esp for modest inventions which don't throw off
enough big bucks to fund a hugely expensive lawsuit to enforce the patent.
Bill