Well this looks like it took a long time but worked out okay in the end. One of our sponsors is the Callicrate Bander by No-Bull Enterprises, LLC. They own several patents related to their castration products but had to bring suit against Wadsworth Manufacturing, Inc. for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Montana.
That case was recently settled, with Wadsworth Manufacturing, Inc. agreeing to pay Mr. Callicrate an undisclosed sum. The Court has also now entered an Order permanently enjoining Wadsworth Manufacturing, Inc. from making, using, selling, offering for sale, importing or exporting Wadsworth’s EZE No. 2 and EZE No. 3 (T1) banding tools, as well as any tool for performing ligation/castration that involves use of a tool with a pulling device and an in-line lever for deforming a grommet. The Order also prohibits use of any preformed loop for use with or designed for use with such tools, including Wadsworth’s EZE No. 3 (T1) tool. Wadsworth retains the ability to manufacture and sell preformed continuous loops for use with banding tools that do not include the use of a grommet. Wadsworth also has the right to make and sell grommets for use with linear lengths of ligation material. The injunction extends until Midnight, December 16, 2011.
Mike Callicrate is glad the whole thing is over.
“It has been a long, hard battle, but the justice system worked. This outcome demonstrates the commercial value of obtaining patents on novel inventions.” The result of the parties’ settlement and Court-ordered injunction is that only Mr. Callicrate’s exclusive licensee, No-Bull Enterprises, will have the right to sell the patented castration devices and preformed endless loops.