Patents and progressive presses

[AbitNutz]

Dillon, Hornady & RCBS progressive presses are so similar in design. I'm just curious about the patents. Who holds the majority of patents on this stuff?
I've heard (at the gunshop so it must be true) that RCBS and Hornady had to pay Dillon for patent rights at one point.

Of course Dillon may not hold any patents or he just doesn't care...any guy that has his own ARMED jet plane an manufactures Gatling Miniguns for the Gov't has more than enough money but you probably wouldn't want to piss him off.

 

[MarshallDodge]

There are a lot of similarities between progressives but Dillon was not the first to market.

Mike Dillon is a good guy and likes his toys. He is very pro-gun on any gun. He builds a good product, provides great customer service, and a warranty that can't be beat. With a company like that, who cares about the competition.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Dillon licenses (or at least used to, it may have expired by now) the powder through expander technology from Lee. Not sure about removable tool heads. IINM, they also licensed some patents from Star (like the slide-bar type PM).

I presume that either that PTE patent expired or that Hornady now also licenses the technology from Lee.

RCBS and Hornady cross-license their case activated powder measure linkage. Not sure who owns the patent. Most of the reloading gear manufacturers license technology to/from each other.

I care about the competition for two reasons. Sometimes the competition makes a better product, and/or offers it at a better price, and the competition keeps everyone, including Dillon, on their toes. Ever wonder what prompted Dillon to develop a case feeder for the 550? I bet it had a lot to do with Hornady developing one for their LNL AP.

Andy