Patent Spat Ends: M-LOK Belongs to Magpul

Earlier this year, Gibbz Arms raised eyebrows when it sent letters to licensees of Magpul's M-LOK accessory attachment system explaining Magpul and its licensees were violating Gibbz existing patent on its GAMA, GIBBZ Arms Modular Attachment, system. Magpul responded with a “BS” call and both companies lawyered up.

Today, Magpul tells us the two settled and, as far as we can tell, Gibbz gave up all its patent claims and assigned any patents that might smell of M-LOK to Magpul.

“Adopters and licensees of Magpul’s M-LOK system continue to have complete freedom to operate without interference,” says Duane Liptak, Magpul's director of product management and marketing, in a press release, “and M-LOK adoption will continue to be available via free license to interested parties.”

As the press release below states, as a result of a settlement, all intellectual property associated with M-LOK is under the control and protection of Magpul.

For background on the story, check out Soldier Systems Daily's coverage from earlier this year.

From Magpul's 12/14/2016 press release.

M-LOK Belongs to Magpul

Magpul Industries Corp. announced today that has settled its patent infringement lawsuit against Gibbens Engineering Group, LLC, a/k/a Gibbz Arms, which was pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Magpul’s initial complaint asserted that Gibbz Arms infringed three Magpul utility patents by selling the “Gibbz Arms Modular Attachment (GAMA) System.” Magpul’s amended complaint reasserted those utility patents and sought a preemptive declaration that Magpul’s M-LOK® system did not infringe any Gibbz Arms patents. Gibbz Arms’ answer to Magpul’s amended complaint asserted as a defense that the GAMA System did not infringe Magpul’s patents.

The companies settled their dispute on confidential and mutually agreeable terms. Under the terms of the settlement, Gibbz Arms agreed to assign patent rights related to the dispute to Magpul. Adopters and licensees of Magpul’s M-LOK® system continue to have complete freedom to operate without interference, and M-LOK adoption will continue to be available via free license to interested parties.