SIG Sauer vs. Springfield Armory: SIG Sauer has announced that if filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Rock Island Division, alleging that Springfield, Inc. (Springfield Armory) infringes two SIG patents relating to SIG’s P365 magazine.
“The P365 has seen tremendous commercial success, due to the innovative design of the high-capacity magazine. In its complaint, SIG alleges that Springfield Armory’s making and selling of certain 'Hellcat' branded magazines infringes upon two SIG patents. SIG SAUER is seeking injunctive relief, as well as monetary damages for Springfield Armory’s past and ongoing infringement,” they write in a press release.
The SIG P365 was introduced in 2018, while Springfield Armory presented the Hellcat in 2019. Both are 9mm micro-compact carry pistols – so, they compete for the same crowded market share. The P365 magazine holds 10 rounds, while the Hellcat features an 11-round magazine.
Ron Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer, also made the following statement:
"When the SIG SAUER P365 was introduced it took the market by storm as the most innovative high-capacity, micro-compact pistol to be introduced due to its magazine capacity, and quickly became one of the top selling handguns in the market due to this unprecedented innovation. SIG is not a litigious company, but given the extent of infringement by Springfield, SIG has a responsibility to protect both our intellectual property and the significant investment we make to develop our innovative products. As a company we are proud to yield more than 100 patents worldwide, with more than 40 patent applications currently pending, and we will protect the extensive research and design that goes into developing these patents rigorously.”
+++ UPDATE +++ Springfield Armory's response
Springfield Armory's response was not long in coming. In a press release dated May 12, 2021, the company states that it is "steadfast in its conviction that those claims are without merit. The innovative design of the Hellcat magazine is our own and works only with the Hellcat. The superior design of the Hellcat magazine is able to hold more rounds in an overall smaller magazine. Springfield Armory’s Hellcat magazine was independently awarded several patents of its own and has received numerous industry recognitions.”
“We feel that these claims are frivolously litigious in nature and designed to thin out the competition in an increasingly crowded firearms market,” explains Springfield Armory President Steve McKelvain. “Springfield Armory will vigorously defend its right to produce the class-leading patented Hellcat handgun and magazines for our loyal customers – past, present and future.”
