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Dear woodworkers:
For years I’ve shared information through the pages of Fine Woodworking. Anything to keep body and soul together. Two years ago, I took one of my ideas, the slotted expansion washer, and had Leonard Lee, of Lee Valley Tools, produce it (in the USA) for sale to woodworkers.
In the current Hartville Tool catalog, I noticed that my invention has been ripped off and reproduced in China. China has no regard for patents, copyrights, or intellectual property of any sort. Glancing through the catalog, I noticed other pirated items.
My advice: DO NOT BUY FROM HARTVILLE TOOLS
Chris Becksvoort
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Chris, Do you mean this? Rather a neat adaptation of the slot screw method. I'm sorry to hear of this. What steps are you and Lee Valley taking to protect your patent, assuming it's patented?
18 months or so past, someone infringed my copyrighted work by publishing one of my images in an advertisement for their product- a college woodworking course in England. I was able to get them to stop using it by sending a snotty letter and a follow up telephone call. They were embarrased more than anything; they'd been given the image by a woodworking magazine that had it on file. Your situation is rather different, but I'd like to to hear more if you you and/or Lee Valley take further action. Slainte.
*b From the Workshop of Ron BreseThe picture in the catalog link that Sgian posted actually shows the washer running the long grain direction. Some companies are just pirates and merchants and don't even have a clue how this stuff is supposed to work.Ron
*when I was in Germany at the big woodworking shows in the spring, you couldn't avoid it.....anything that existed, had a cut rate Asian knockoff available....if it wasn't , you can bet it would be next year. Everything from slides, knobs to Leadermac moulders that look identical to a Weinig, but aren't. The East Europeans were a close second.
*My sympathies Chris. I dont buy anything made in China now unless I really have no choice. Like you said, they have no regard for patents etc. They dont have any regard for people either.............
*I hate thieves!!!!!!
*yup
*Chris-Nice work. This looks like a clever invention. Where can we buy it that it is not pirated? I did not see it on the Lee Vally site.Peace.-Rob
*Chris,That is a very good idea. Could you let me know where I can find these? I like to try them out.David
*I've used Chris' slotted washer and it works great. I bought them directly from Lee Valley. They are in the hardware and main catalogs (I believe).Brian
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