Russia says it has rights to AK-47

[News Shooter]

Russia asserting ownership of AK-47 design

MOSCOW, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Russia plans to crack down on manufacturers who sell copies of its famous Kalashnikov assault rifle, also known as the AK-47.

About 100 million AK-47s are believed to be in use around the world but many of them are unlicensed copies, Novosti reported. Bulgaria, a former member of the Soviet bloc, is a major offender, continuing to manufacture its version of the rifle long after its license has expired.

The Kalashnikov, one of the world's most popular military weapons, is named after Mikhail Kalashnikov, who designed it in 1947. Kalashnikov won many honors under the Soviet Union and the Russian governments but made no money from the weapon, although he has recently capitalized on his name by selling a brand of vodka.

Alexander Alexeyev, Russia's ambassador at large, said that negotiations are underway with the Arsenal Company in Bulgaria. Russia is also trying to negotiate agreements with Britain and the United States.

 

[El Tejon]

See, if Clinton had not paid them off with that VRA, we would be swimming in AKs and Russia would be much better off financially.:banghead:

 

[TexasRifleman]

Sounds good, as long as Russia repays Microsoft and Cisco Systems for all the intellectual property stolen from those 2 companies over the years.

 

[SoCalShooter]

LMFAO seriously? Yeah thats definetly going to work, why dont they just open up the armories and start selling more of them!!

 

[JesseL]

Just what kind of rights do they think they have?

Any features that could have been patented are too old now. There is nothing in the design to copyright. They might make a case for a trademark on "Kalashnikov", but no one has to call their rifle a Kalashnikov.

 

[El Tejon]

Because of the VRA.:banghead:

 

[SomeKid]

Does VRA mean Voting Rights Act, or something else I hadn't heard of? Regardless, what does it do?

 

[gunNoob]

I dont care what happens as long as I get an AK

 

[Kaylee]

Feh. Kalashnikov made his rifle for the U.S.S.R.

An entity that aside from being communist, doesn't exist anymore.



(though I gotta wonder how this is gonna affect the Pakistani blacksmith trade in AKs. Will they get licenses to produce 'em now? )

 

[Steelcore]

Voluntary Restraint Agreement

Basically Russia agreed not to sell AKs that take standard AK mags in the USA.This was back in 1995.A Clinton deal.Sigh.....

 

[Langenator]

I'm sorry, but shouldn't this be something that two newly minted patent attorneys and a half asleep judge could settle quickly enough to get in two or three rounds of golf with the rest of their day?

Bulgie Lawyer: "Your Honor, no patent for the design was ever filed, either in the USSR or elsewhere."

Sleepy Judge: "Is this true, Russky boy?"

Russky Shyster: "Well, um, you see, Your Honor, well, actually, um....not exactly."

SJ: "You interrupted my nap for this? Go away!"

 

[Dr.Rob]

My understanding was the Soviets 'gave away' the rights to the free thinking workers of the world or some such.

I'd have no problems with Kalshnikov dying a rich man. Ignore the VRA and I'll buy a licensed rifle.

 

[max popenker]

About a month ago i helped the localized version of News Week mag to write an article on this topic.

In my view, this is more of PR from RosOboronExport (Russian state arms export company) than anything else.
First, they claimed that too many makers violated their patent, incl. Swiss (SIG SG550) and Belgian (FN FNC). This is plain ridiculous as i carefully studied the patent (# WO 99/05467) and neither gun has anything to do with mods described in this patent.
Furthermore, said patent is NOT ABOUT entire AK / AKM / AK-74 design - it is just a list of mods that distinguish AK-74M from earlier Kalashnikov rifles.

So - as i said above - it is no more than a PR, combined with attempt to raise some money from those who make exact copies of AK - such as Bulgarians...

 

[gunsmith]

Mr Kalshnikov deserves tons of cash

He designed his superb weapon for the working class and people involved in armed struggle.
Just because the modern working class needs to struggle against the so called "new left" is no reason why Mr Kalshnikov should not have his own limo, driver and mansion.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

See, newbies are ignorant of all the "little things" that happened during Klintonista Regime, like this as well as the surplus ammo cut-off and many other little things that really HURT.

But that's ok, support libertarians or Democrats..."no one is going to take your guns away"....


**Back on topic.


While it does stink, at least they still import the awesome Saiga, which for $130 you can convert to full AK style weapon that accepts AK magazines and is considered a "U.S. made" rifle due to parts count.

They are selling Saigas for as low as $216 now. You can have Arsenal level AK quality for under $350.




I have to cheer myself up somehow!

 

[wacki]

the surplus ammo cut-off

????? What?

 

[Mannlicher]

I seriously doubt that this is a legit story. Even if there was an international patent on the product, it would have expired years ago.

 

[max popenker]

Even if there was an international patent on the product, it would have expired years ago.

You would be surprized but IZHMASH (maker of AK) has applied for patent in ...1997, by 50th anniversary of AK and it was NOT for basic design of the rifle, but for the set of minor improvements that distinguish the AK-74M from earlier (AK, AKM) rifles of same pattern

 

[brufener]

You would be surprized but IZHMASH (maker of AK) has applied for patent in ...1997, by 50th anniversary of AK and it was NOT for basic design of the rifle, but for the set of minor improvements that distinguish the AK-74M from earlier (AK, AKM) rifles of same pattern

IF the improvments are minor, it shouldn't be a big deal to make the AKs without the improvments.

Is there a US patent on it? Does Bulgaria or Romania have to respect a Russian patent?

At any rate, it sounds like the patent doesn't cover much or is invalid.

 

[Novus Collectus]

the surplus ammo cut-off

????? What?

I think it only applies to Chinese military surplus ammo.

 

[DRZinn]

But that's ok, support libertarians or Democrats..."no one is going to take your guns away"....

This statement implies that those who support libertarians believe that noone is trying to take their guns. That's false, and you know it.

 

[Father Knows Best]

As others have pointed out, any patents on the original AK-47 design, or even the AKM improvements and the AK-74, would have long since expired. Under U.S. law, the original creators may at one time have had the ability to bring what is known as a "trade dress" claim, or unfair competition, against companies selling unlicensed knockoffs that are visually indistinguishable from "rea" Russian AK's, but such a claim relies on the idea that the knockoffs are confusing buyers as to the true origin of the product and are thereby hurting the sales of the original (Russian) manufacturer. Even in the U.S., however, such claims would fail on the AK-47 because of the application of the doctrine of laches, i.e., the Russian owners of the original design and its distinctive appearance have sat on their hands and done nothing for far too long (decades), and so have effectively waived their right to complain. In addition, it would be hard for the Russians to show any confusion or lost sales in the U.S., as they are prohibited by law from making such sales, anyway.

 

[Limeyfellow]

It also banned the Dragunov from getting imported (and many non firearm products too). Of course before then no Russian arms were being imported into the US, so it at least opened up some imports and since Soviet ak47s were mostly automatic they had been banned under other laws along time ago.

Its not like the domestic firearm manufacturers would have allowed all those ak47s to come in at el cheapo prices and take a large share of the market. People might stop buying their firearms. Same problem was had with Chinese firearms. After all the lobbyists and their masters have to be appeased.

 

[jerkyman45]

So can we make them pay Boeing back for stealing the B-29 design?

 

[30 cal slob]

i wouldn't make any unauthorized knockoffs and thumb my nose at the russkies ...

...lest i wake up with some polonium in my belly.