News

Z-Man Extends Patent Protection on Chatterbait

by Grant Pentiricci February 20, 2016

Z-Man Fishing Products announced this week that they have taken further steps to extend and protect the multiple patents on the Chatterbait lineup. The specifics for the extended patent protection include the issuance of United States Patent No. 9,253,967 (the ‘967 patent) entitled “Snag-Resistant Fishing Lure and Method for Making and Using” covering the unique, bladed swim jig design of its revolutionary ChatterBait® brand lures. The ‘967 patent joins two previously issued utility patents (United States Patent Nos. 7,726,062 and 7,627,978) along with registered trade dress protection on Z-Man’s distinctive hex-shaped blade and a family of ‘Chatter’ trademarks to create a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio surrounding its ChatterBait product line.

“The ChatterBait bladed jig’s profound impact on tournament bass fishing demonstrates that the efforts we’ve taken to protect this groundbreaking invention via the patent system are warranted,” said Z-Man President Daniel Nussbaum. “While patents are sometimes a foreign concept to anglers and even tackle industry professionals, receiving multiple patentsstemming from a single invention is commonplace in other industries and exemplifies how the patent system can encourage innovation and reward innovators, as well as companies like Z-Man that invest in taking the proper stepsto protect their innovations.”

For those not familiar with the lure’s history, the Chatterbait bladed jig was invented by Ron Davis Sr. The inventor initially manufactured baits in his garage in Greenwood, South Carolina. Following dramatic tournament success in the spring of 2006, demand for Davis’ product exploded and far exceeding what he was capable of supplying. Davis then sought out the assistance of Z-Man, another South Carolina business and his silicone skirt supplier. Z-Man began manufacturing, marketing, and distributing ChatterBait brand products. Z-Man was successful in meeting growing customer demand and expanding the product line. Davis also took steps required by law to protect his invention and brand via the United States Patent and Trademark Office, resulting in valuable ChatterBait intellectual property that he sold to Z-Man in 2008.

Since the first utility patent was issued in 2009, Z-Man has taken numerous steps to further protect the patent and other intellectual property related to the Chatterbait line of products. This has proven to be a huge undertaking in the fishing industry, where copycatting in commonplace. Some argue that those who knock off the legitimate products of tackle suppliers, damage the industry as a whole. The Angling Authority team has heard these concerns from many small lure manufacturers over the last few years.

The 2016 Chatterbait line includes the Original ChatterBait®, Project Z™ChatterBait®, ChatterBait®Elite, ChatterBait®Custom, ChatterBait®Pro, DieZel™ChatterBait®, ChatterBait®Mini, ChatterBait®Micro and ChatterBait®FlashBack®Minibladed jigs. There are new product introductions planned in the near future, which we’ll likely hear more about at the 2016 Bassmaster Classic Expo, or ICAST 2016, where more manufacturers announce their new product releases.