Licenses
When an independent inventor applies for a patent, he is faced with a very limited range of possibilities:
- Either he manufactures his invention himself by creating his own company
- Or he looks for a manufacturer interested in manufacturing the patent, to which he grants an exploitation license, for, naturally, a financial compensation
- Last possibility : he waits for a miracle or a business angel which, nowadays, are few and far between
In 1984, Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, inventors above all, did not want to change themselves into manufacturers. Neither believing in miracles, they thus prefered the option of searching for a Licensee, and this, a few months only after the application of their first patent.
One of numerous applications of the inflatable wing: The towed boat.
To draw the attention of the public, the media and possible manufacturers to their invention, they took part in highly publicised, media magnet speed sailing competitions. In spite of promising results, they were forced to recognise that they were much too early with their idea, notably because the windsurfing market was rapidly expanding and that’s what people were interested in.
One of numerous applications of the inflatable wing: The towed boat. Furthermore, their invention was not really ready for mass production. During the following years, while looking constantly for licensees, they perfected their kite and took advantage of it to investigate its numerous potential applications.
Finally, in 1993, not having been able to reach agreement with any manufacturer, the Legaignoux brothers create their own company: Wipicat. It was created to promote and publicise their invention and demonstrate to potential kite manufacturers that a market existed for that kind of nautical application.
Manufacturing in France turned out to be very expensive and commercial success was still not completely assured. On the other hand, fruitful overseas contacts were made and, from 1996, production was organized in Asia, under the brand Wipika.
Wipika became, in doing so, the first official licensee of the Legaignoux brothers patent.
Being a concessionary of a license is, in a sense, “to rent” the right to use, to financially exploit, a patented invention. A license can be limited, notably in time and in space. It can be exclusive or not. In recognition of this right, the licensee pays royalties to the owner of the patent.
The story speeds up…
In 1998, in the Hawaiian Islands, there was a lot of excitement in the small circle of windsurf pioneers : a promising new toy has just appeared. The Naish Sails company paid particular attention and got in touch with Bruno Legaignoux.
Following discussions, an agreement was reached and Naish became the second licensee of the Legaignoux brothers. In September, 1999 Naish Kites launched and marketed its first range of wings.
After Naish, numerous companies wanted to join the two licensees, but a stiff selection policy was instituted by the holders of the patent to keep the nascent market healthy and profitable for the licensees.
The mythical Ho’okipa (in Maui-Hawaii) was one of the first beach to be struck by the kitesurf phenomenon.
Why acquire a License?
Any ambitious company has to be interested in obtaining a license. A license allows a company to work on a tested concept, to quickly take a position in the market, without risk of pursuit from the patent holders. It also allows a company to benefit from the manufacturing technology finalised by the Legaignoux brothers and of their considerable experience in the important area of safety.
The list of Licensees of the “Propulsive wing with inflatable structure” patent
WIPIKA were licensed up to 2001,then they became counter-feiters NAISH, CABRINHA, SLINGSHOT, NORTH, FLEXIFOIL, AIRUSH, GAASTRA, TAKOON ALL OTHER BRANDS WERE COUNTER-FEITERS till November 8th, 2005, end date of the patent.
However it should be noted that the Legaignoux patent on the 4-line kite patent and its control bar, applied for in 1997 in France, is still running.
Any 4-line kite sold in France until 2017 must thus be subject to payment of royalties. Infringers will be prosecuted.
Bow License
The price of the license is Euros 12 (about US$15) per manufactured kite. In counterpart the Licensee receives the certificates and the Know-How corresponding to the patent.
This cost thus has only a negligible influence on the final price of a kite.
Banners
Some customers and retailers are sensitive to the respect of the patent rights. Licensees, let them know that you respect them.
There are two banners for the use of our Licensees.
<a href=”http://www.inflatablekite.com” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://inflatablekite.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/banniere3.gif” alt=”Bow kite patent licensee !” height=”60″ width=”330″ align=”middle” /></a>
<a href=”http://www.inflatablekite.com” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://inflatablekite.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/banniere4.gif” alt=”Bow kite patent licensee !” height=”111″ width=”127″ align=”middle” /></a>
And here are two banners for all the owners of Internet sites relating to kite who wish to support our work and who find it abnormal that certain brands do not take a licence. Thanks for your assistance!
<a href=”http://www.inflatablekite.com” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://inflatablekite.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/banniere1.jpg” alt=”BowKite.com : Kite innovation since 1984″ height=”60″ width=”330″ align=”middle” />
</a>
