Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/04/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 06:29 AM 4/26/98 +0000, Chris Bitmead wrote: >Since when was it possible to make a bayonet proprietry? The design of a bayonet mount can be patented; if so, it has the same protections as do any other patented devices. Leica patented the original M39 LTM mount in 1931; in later years, Exakta, Voigtlander, Leica, Hasselblad, Zeiss, Nikon, Canon, &c all patented their proprietary designs. The life of these is either 20 or 21 years, depending on national law. The US law was traditionally 21 years, and most of these were patented here as well as in their home countries to obtain that extra year of protection. The Zeiss-designed M42 mount doesn't seem to have ever been patented or, at the least, I've never seen documentary proof that it was. But it is the exception: when Zeiss designed the K-mount for Asahi, they ensured that BOTH Zeiss and Asahi held the patent rights on it. Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!