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The Curse Of The AK-47
The Strategy Page ^ | 10/03/2009 | unkown

Posted on 10/03/2009 4:42:03 PM PDT by sonofstrangelove

The Russian firm Izhmash (Izhevsk Mechanical Works) holds the patents for the AK-47, and it is going broke because of all the illegal copies of its weapons being produced worldwide. Izhmash is having little success in trying to force companies in Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Israel, China and the United States to pay licensing fees for the AK-47s they produce. The typical defense is that it is a much improved rifle, with only a superficial similarity to the Izhmash AK-47. Some claim that Russia abandoned the AK-47 design in the 1970s, when they switched to the 5.45mm AK-74. Actually, the original AK-47 design was replaced in 1963, at least in Russia, by the similar (in appearance) AKM.

Izhmash is 201 years old, and was originally founded by the Czarist government as a state arsenal, for the production of military weapons. In the 1920s, the firm began to produce motorcycles as well, and later, automobiles, and eventually machine tools. It has long been a major manufacturer of Russian military rifles, machine-guns and pistols.

During the Soviet period (1923-91), there were patent laws on the books, but these were generally not observed, especially when it came to foreign technology. The Soviets would respect patents when it suited their purposes (that is, it was cheaper to get help from the patent holder to implement a technology, than it was to just steal it and figure it out), but generally the concept of intellectual property was ignored. Having allowed that kind of thinking to gain some traction, the Russians have had a hard time enforcing rights to Soviet era Russian inventions in a post-Soviet world.

(Excerpt) Read more at strategypage.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: ak; ak47; banglist; izhmash; kalashnikov; mikhailkalashnikov; rifle

1 posted on 10/03/2009 4:42:04 PM PDT by sonofstrangelove
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To: sonofstrangelove

Patent law is specific to each country. In the USA it would have long fallen into the public domain.


2 posted on 10/03/2009 4:44:04 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (The Democrat party is a criminal enterprise.)
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To: sonofstrangelove

I guess what goes around comes around!


3 posted on 10/03/2009 4:45:07 PM PDT by Cheetahcat (Zero the Wright kind of Racist! We are in a state of War with Democrats)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

if there were no patents we’d have fewer inventions. Then again we have so many bogus patent lawsuits its ridiculous.

Imagine someone suing all the computer and internet companies saying they had an early patent for “putting text on a monitor”. I didn’t know you could patent so absurdly vague ideas, but apparently people and companies have.


4 posted on 10/03/2009 4:49:21 PM PDT by GeronL (meow)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Isn’t Izhmash the company that manufactures Saiga firearms?

Great guns. Very reliable... at least my Saiga 12 is. I’ve heard it can be a hit or miss with those guns. I read that in recent years they are much improved from what they used to be. I’ve never had as much as a ‘jam’ with my Saiga 12, with various mags, and even the 20 round drum.


5 posted on 10/03/2009 4:54:56 PM PDT by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: KoRn

I would ask how much they paid Kalashnikov for his intellectual contribution....


6 posted on 10/03/2009 5:01:41 PM PDT by donmeaker (Invicto)
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To: sonofstrangelove

Anyone know why the Russians didn’t go with the AN-94? Was it budget reasons? Izhmash makes them and it’s a vastly superior and modern system to the AK series. Seems like they blew it real bad on that one.


7 posted on 10/03/2009 5:02:57 PM PDT by Tolsti2
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To: sonofstrangelove
The Soviets dumped that weapon everywhere so they could export "The Revolution."

Now, they want some Capitalist payback.

Karma is a "MichelleObama" (read: Beyotch).

8 posted on 10/03/2009 5:09:48 PM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: sonofstrangelove
I think US patents are in force for 20 years from the filing date or 17 years from the issue date.

The "47" in "AK47" stands for 1947.

If the heirs of John Moses Browning received a nickel for every 1911 copy that's been produced... but they don't. The patents expired in 1927.

Some have noticed the similarities between the German Sturmgewehr 44 and the AK47. I doubt the Germans got around to filing patents in 1944.


9 posted on 10/03/2009 5:09:51 PM PDT by Sooth2222 ("Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of congress. But I repeat myself." M.Twain)
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To: donmeaker
I would ask how much they paid Kalashnikov for his intellectual contribution....

200 Rubles, a bottle of vodka, and a really, really nice plastic shower curtain made in Murmansk.


10 posted on 10/03/2009 5:11:24 PM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: Sooth2222

It’s so ironic. Soviet Communists railed against the patent system itself as evil capitalism, and here these guys are dying from not using it properly.


11 posted on 10/03/2009 5:11:54 PM PDT by Tolsti2
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To: KoRn

I like my Bulgarian. it’s the Cadillac of AK’s. Looks wicked with a drum on it! Kind of heavy though!!


12 posted on 10/03/2009 5:45:52 PM PDT by refermech
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To: sonofstrangelove

#6 on the list ( I have a #9)

“10 manliest guns”

http://www.arthurshall.com/x_2007_manly_firearms.shtml


13 posted on 10/03/2009 6:02:08 PM PDT by dynachrome (I am Jim Thompson!)
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To: SkyPilot

Beautiful rifle...


14 posted on 10/03/2009 6:10:21 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: dynachrome
“10 manliest guns”


15 posted on 10/03/2009 6:13:16 PM PDT by Sir Francis Dashwood (Arjuna, why have you have dropped your bow???)
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To: Sir Francis Dashwood

Well, that should make Mayor Bloomberg of New York wet his panties!


16 posted on 10/03/2009 6:20:20 PM PDT by dynachrome (I am Jim Thompson!)
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To: sonofstrangelove
i got one of the first NORINCO's off the boat and it's had ~5k put through it and it still runs like new...
17 posted on 10/03/2009 6:41:36 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- I AM JIM THOMPSON!)
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To: GeronL
Imagine someone suing all the computer and internet companies saying they had an early patent for “putting text on a monitor”. I didn’t know you could patent so absurdly vague ideas, but apparently people and companies have.

I believe that patent expired before the Internet reached the public, but a long time ago an employer of mine had to pay the absurdly low license fee (pennies/unit) -- I'm sure it was of much more value to know companies' sales volume than for the monies collected.

18 posted on 10/03/2009 6:56:58 PM PDT by sionnsar (IranAzadi|5yst3m 0wn3d-it's N0t Y0ur5:SONY|Remember Neda Agha-Soltan|TV--it's NOT news you can trust)
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To: sionnsar

Its amazing what they allow to be patented. Did someone have a patent on copying and pasting?


19 posted on 10/03/2009 7:06:40 PM PDT by GeronL (meow)
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To: Chode

Me too... long barreled NHM91. Very accurate for open sights.


20 posted on 10/03/2009 7:49:41 PM PDT by 1ofmanyfree ((No jobs, licenses,mortgages,bank accounts or amnesty for any illegal alien criminals ! ))
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To: dynachrome

I know squat about guns, but that was a fun read. Thanks!


21 posted on 10/03/2009 8:08:44 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: 1ofmanyfree
took almost a year till it quit smokin as the cosmoline burned out of the gas system

i cleaned like hell but never got it all so it burned itself out.

22 posted on 10/03/2009 8:19:14 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- I AM JIM THOMPSON!)
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To: sonofstrangelove

The “patent” aspect is horse hockey.

No nation has patents that last beyond 20 years. The AK was invented decades earlier than that.

“Journalists” are morons and liars,


23 posted on 10/03/2009 8:28:04 PM PDT by Beelzebubba (Why not "interpret" your tax returns like the Supreme Court "interprets" the Constitution?)
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To: Beelzebubba
yep, that pretty much what i was thinkin...

if the loss on the AKs was that bad, they mustve really got reamed on the cars, motorcycles, machine equip etc...lolololol...

24 posted on 10/03/2009 9:11:06 PM PDT by Gilbo_3 (Gov is not reason; not eloquent; its force... Like fire, a dangerous servant & master. GW)
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To: SkyPilot

That’s a beauty!

Mine’s an ancient, cheaply made, butt ugly Egyptian thing that shoots great - and a century from now I believe it will be an ancient, cheaply made, butt ugly Egyptian thing that STILL shoots great.

Along with the 1911, the best pieces of armament ever devised.


25 posted on 10/03/2009 9:34:50 PM PDT by dagogo redux
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To: SkyPilot

Hmm. Never knew Mikhail played the piano.


26 posted on 10/03/2009 10:27:13 PM PDT by Charles Martel (NRA Lifetime Member since 1984; TSRA rookie)
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To: sonofstrangelove

How does on post a new thread to the banglist? I would like a vanity thread of posting pictures of your clone firearms like my largo 1911 clone of the colt 1911. thanks


27 posted on 10/04/2009 2:47:36 AM PDT by guitarplayer1953 (Romak 7.62X54MM, AK47 7.62X39MM, LARGO 9X23MM, HAPINESS IS A WARM GUN BANG BANG YEA YEA)
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To: guitarplayer1953
Post your vanity in "chat" and add the keyword "banglist" and it will show up in the "banglist" page when people search on that keyword.

And aren't those Star weapons NICE????? I really like mine!


28 posted on 10/04/2009 3:30:01 AM PDT by Neil E. Wright (An OATH is FOREVER (NRA member))
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To: GeronL
Imagine someone suing all the computer and internet companies saying they had an early patent for “putting text on a monitor”. I didn’t know you could patent so absurdly vague ideas, but apparently people and companies have.

Someone needs to rein in the US Pattent Office, or more likely the US Patent laws need updating.

There are way too many patents issued for vague computer ideas, and your example isn't so absurd.

I think Amazon.com patented the one click purchase concept, then successfully sued other websites for immitating it.

C'mon, one click purchase is patentable? There are scores of other examples like that in the computer world.

29 posted on 10/04/2009 5:23:33 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (Joe Wilson speaks for me.)
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To: Sooth2222; GOP_Party_Animal
I doubt the Germans got around to filing patents in 1944.

They were preoccupied...

30 posted on 10/04/2009 6:36:16 AM PDT by Last Dakotan
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To: sonofstrangelove
I own a knockoff called the "Golani Sporter" chambered in .223

Out of the box it jammed about every fifth round. I cleaned and lubed. Now need some time at the range to see if this piece is any good. It is not as accurate as my M-16 or AR -15 were by any means. I do appreciate my Russian SKS but would take an M-16 into combat first.

31 posted on 10/04/2009 9:55:52 AM PDT by GWConservative (You are now FREE to give craigslist the bird... www.AdBirds.com)
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Comment #32 Removed by Moderator

To: GWConservative

I like the AK better. You can drag the AK through the mud and it would still fire.A AR-15 you have to keep the rifle clean.


33 posted on 10/04/2009 4:02:05 PM PDT by sonofstrangelove ("We will either find a way, or make one."Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
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To: Neil E. Wright
Love the extra bang what year is yours? mine is a 1957.

Photobucket

34 posted on 10/04/2009 5:01:35 PM PDT by guitarplayer1953 (Romak 7.62X54MM, AK47 7.62X39MM, LARGO 9X23MM, HAPINESS IS A WARM GUN BANG BANG YEA YEA)
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To: sonofstrangelove

I understand, but will hold my rifle out of the mud because the M16 shoots more accurately. I want to kill my enemy before he kills me.


35 posted on 10/04/2009 10:38:03 PM PDT by GWConservative (AdBirds.com rocks!)
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To: GWConservative

Another big drawback with an M16 is that you have to constantly clean the receiver. In a AK you dont.I saw a lot of American soldiers carrying AKs in Iraq .


36 posted on 10/04/2009 11:39:14 PM PDT by sonofstrangelove ("We will either find a way, or make one."Hannibal/Carthaginian Military Commander)
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To: Chode

took almost a year till it quit smokin as the cosmoline burned out of the gas system
~~~
Smellz better than Roses to me!,,,

Girlz should put a dab behind each ear!,,,

OOOOBABY OOOOBABY!!!...LOL...;0)...


37 posted on 10/04/2009 11:57:08 PM PDT by 1COUNTER-MORTER-68 (THROWING ANOTHER BULLET-RIDDLED TV IN THE PILE OUT BACK~~~~~)
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To: 1COUNTER-MORTER-68
roger that...
38 posted on 10/05/2009 3:34:04 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- I AM JIM THOMPSON!)
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To: guitarplayer1953
according to the date code stamped on mine, it was manufactured in 1954. It's a great shooter.

A few years ago, a guy was walking by my table at a gun show and wanted to sell it and 100 rounds of ammo. I bought it from him and before the next show, I decided to try it before I put it on the table to sell.

Took it out to my range and capped off all 100 rounds on a Sunday afternoon. On Monday, I was in the gun store ordering up 1,000 rounds for it. I alternate between it and my 1911 Gold Cup as my carry gun.

39 posted on 10/05/2009 9:30:44 AM PDT by Neil E. Wright (An OATH is FOREVER (NRA member))
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To: Neil E. Wright

I bought 1000 rounds of Largo ammo and went to put it into my hipoint magazine and it did not fit I thought what the hey? Looked into the difference and instead of selling the ammo I bought the pistol. Glad I did.


40 posted on 10/05/2009 11:55:29 AM PDT by guitarplayer1953 (Romak 7.62X54MM, AK47 7.62X39MM, LARGO 9X23MM, HAPINESS IS A WARM GUN BANG BANG YEA YEA)
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To: guitarplayer1953

And the ammo is cheap and available .... I checked this morning at one of my sites and they have it for $170/1000 plus about $52 for shipping. That works out to just over .18 per round ..... :)


41 posted on 10/05/2009 4:40:10 PM PDT by Neil E. Wright (An OATH is FOREVER (NRA member))
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Patent law is specific to each country. In the USA it would have long fallen into the public domain.

That's what I was thinking too. Look at all the companies that make 1911's.

42 posted on 10/27/2009 10:46:24 AM PDT by Still Thinking (If ignorance is bliss, liberals must be ecstatic!)
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To: SkyPilot

Get your finger off the trigger, moronski.

43 posted on 10/27/2009 10:54:19 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: AppyPappy

"This is the AK-47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy, and it makes a very distinctive sound when fired at you, so remember it."

44 posted on 10/27/2009 10:56:23 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator
re: 44?

Whoaaaaaaaa.
Here. Take it. It's all I got.
Honest. LOL

45 posted on 10/27/2009 10:58:16 AM PDT by Landru (COME & GET ME, COPPERS!!)
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To: GeronL
Imagine someone suing all the computer and internet companies saying they had an early patent for “putting text on a monitor”. I didn’t know you could patent so absurdly vague ideas, but apparently people and companies have.

I have the other patent: "taking text off a monitor again".

46 posted on 10/27/2009 11:01:59 AM PDT by Lazamataz (DEFINITION: rac-ist (rA'sis't) 1. Anyone who disagrees with a liberal about any topic.)
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To: Lazamataz

I believe in patent rights and all that but this is absurd stuff.


47 posted on 10/27/2009 11:05:44 AM PDT by GeronL (http://tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com .... I am a rogue nobody. One of millions.)
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To: GeronL
I believe in patent rights and all that but this is absurd stuff.

You mentioned absurd stuff.

I have a patent on absurd stuff.

You owe me a quarter.

48 posted on 10/27/2009 11:09:35 AM PDT by Lazamataz (DEFINITION: rac-ist (rA'sis't) 1. Anyone who disagrees with a liberal about any topic.)
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To: Lazamataz

too bad I couldn’t copyright the word “unexpectedly” in news reports.


49 posted on 10/27/2009 11:11:21 AM PDT by GeronL (http://tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com .... I am a rogue nobody. One of millions.)
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To: dfwgator

Izzat .223?

I am trying to find out what is a good gun that shoots .223 to have as a backup for my Mini-14

Bolt action would be OK.

I was at the gun show last weekend and it seemed just about everything was .308


50 posted on 10/27/2009 11:12:57 AM PDT by djf (Grasshopper: The game is rigged. Patience takes forever to learn. You're so screwed!!)
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