is it legally allowed to duplicate a product sold on the open market that has no patent protection

Chicago, IL Viewed 59 times. Posted 10 months ago in Intellectual Property
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i want to manufacture a screw lid for a container that i already manufacture, but i want to duplicate a lid made by another manufacturer that is sold on the open market and has no patent. would i have any liability whatsoever for copying this lid, i.e. manufacturing the same myself and using it on my container? - Is this your question? Add additional information
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Clark AD Wilson

Clark AD Wilson Avvo Pro

Contributor Level 5
This attorney is licensed in Dist. of Columbia and 2 other states. Posted 10 months ago. Flag as objectionable
You should contact a patent attorney and have him/her prepare a Freedom-to-Operate opinion with respect to the patent landscape of these lids. It may be the case that this particular lid does not have a patent, but that does not mean there is not a patent alive protecting the technology. Such an opinion would involve a detailed search of active patents and evaluation of issued patent claims. This will act as insurance against future accusations of wilfull infringement. I prepare such opinions on a frequent basis. Best of luck.
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