Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/01/11

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: [Leica] Design Thievery
From: Marc James Small <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 15:33:26 -0500

At 01:26 PM 1999-01-11 -0600, you wrote:
>Was it just Nikon and Canon?  What about Olympus?
>
>Also, would it be possible for Leica Camera or Zeiss to sue now???


Well, Canon and Nikon borrowed the Leica shutter design, then others took
it from them.  And both borrowed Zeiss' optical designs, and others
borrowed THESE.  So, yes, other companies were involved.

The peace treaties with Germany and Japan precluded any residual litigation
for activities occurring under the occupation, so, no, they couldn't sue
now.  And a judgement would do them no good, in any event:  the Japanese
courts would almost certainly prevent the domestication of such a judgement.

Marc

msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!