RBT clones and patents

[P3D <JGoldenRRP@xxxxxxx>]

>>Incidentally, whilst nosing around at Photokina we discovered some Chinese
mounts which appear to be a 'dead  ringer' for the RBT style of mount....it
would seem that a lot of interesting stereo is coming out of that vast
continent these days.  Tony Shapps  THE WIDESCREEN CENTRE


Tony, Dennis.... those clone mounts are only available in full-frame
non-glass only (as far as I know, and correct me if I am wrong) They are not
precisely made as the RBT is, are flimsier....just hold two side by side to
see, the aligment pins seem to mash after a few closings, and they do not
have the  .1mm detented adjustable vertical control that the RBT's do.
However...they have a purpose that they do just fine for...and I own the set
mentioned below...I ordered it from Wide Screen some time ago.
 
>>Are these chinese clones legal?  Aren't they violating the RBT patent
design for their mounts?  Or perhaps RBT didn't patent them?  Any word from
RBT on this?  I suspect they would be much cheaper then the official aus
Deutschland originals.  Dennis Sherwood

As I understand it, these mounts are used for the Chinese View set that I
believe you may still sell at Wide Screen,Tony.  The Viewer and set are no
problem, but the blank mounts are not supposed to be sold in the US, Canada,
Mexico, per RBT's directive to me, and that is how I know it at this point.
  As far as patents go: 
RBT Reuseable Mounts  US-Pat.No.: 4,942,684

As far as other countries go....RBT is dealing with that, and I am not
involved.  Regar-D-D-D-s Jon Golden RBT USA


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