Yakima fights rack competitors

    Yakima Products Inc. filed a complaint last week against four of its competitors for alleged patent infringement.
    The complaint, filed Nov. 13, alleges that Boulder, Colo.-based Rocky Mounts Inc., Los Angeles-based Hollywood Racks, Madison, Wis.-based Saris Cycling Group and Torrance, Calif.-based Car Mate, USA Inc., owner of Inno racks, all violated Yakima patents, according to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
    But as of today, at least three of the four companies have not been served with a notice. Saris didn’t return phone calls.
    Each of the companies knows about the potential suit, but have heard little, if anything, from Yakima.
    “We have not actually been served the papers yet,” said Bobby Noyes, owner of Rocky Mounts.
    And Neil Nusbaum said the same.
    “We’re aware of it through the public domain,” he said. “We’re kinda in the dark just like Rocky Mounts is.”
    Nusbaum said lawsuits are part of doing business in the U.S.
    “We litigate in this society,” he said.
    As of today, a Yakima spokeswoman had “no comment,” and the company’s attorney’s did not return phone calls.
    Alex Connelly, Inno Racks’ vice president, had a theory pertaining to a “big guy” attacking the “little guys.”
    The product that Connelly said Inno Racks is allegedly infringing on isn’t in production. The hitch-mount rack has appeared in the company’s catalog for a few years, but it has never sold one, he said.
    “They have seen it for many years,” Connelly said speaking of Beaverton, Ore.-based Yakima.
    That, coupled with the fact that another industry leader – Sweden-based Thule AB – wasn’t listed in the complaint, makes him think Yakima is losing business or is scared the “little guys” are taking too much of the market.
    “They’re suing us on vapor,” he said regarding the allegations against his company.

Check back next week for updated information on the lawsuits.