Even in the camera bag game, there are patent infringement lawsuits. Gura Gear sued Peak Design in September of 2015 for an element of the Peak Design Everyday Messenger, a hugely successful Kickstarter camera bag campaign backed by Trey Ratcliff. It looks like the infrindging patent came from Gura Gear’s acquisition of Tamrac’s assets, including intellectual property.</p>
<p><strong>The Complaint:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>A container for facilitating rapid access to the interior of the container to remove articles from the container, comprising: a. a generally rectangular body having a base, two end walls and two sidewalls respectively interconnected at their adjacent edges to adjacent edges of the two end walls, the walls extending upwardly from the base to form the body with a top opening; b. a side closure flap attached to a respective one of said two sidewalls and secured against the respective one of said two sidewalls by fastener means, the side closure flap adapted to span over and covering said top opening of said body and forming a top when the side closure flap is in a closed position; and c. said top of said side closure flap having full length double zipper means for opening or closing said top to gain access to the interior of said body; d. whereby the interior of said body of said container is accessed by either flipping over said side closure flap to an open position or unzipping said double zipper means on said top of said body to access the interior through said top opening of said body of said container.</p></blockquote>
<p>It looks like the suit was settled pretty quickly, at just over a month. With Gura Gear voluntarily dismissing the case, I’m going to assume they won, but it doesn’t say how much of that Kickstarter money was sent over the Tamrac/Gura Gear.</p>
<p>However, with the product still available for preorder on Kickstarter, I imagine Peak Design is licensing the infringing Gura Gear/Tamrac design for the Everyday Messenger.</p>
<p>Aren’t patents fun?</p>
<p>You can view the <a href="https://search.rpxcorp.com/pat/US6206567B1" target="_blank">public records of the suit here</a>.</p>

<p>Leica has officially announced their new entry level M digital rangefinder camera. This new camera will replace the Leica M-E and bring to an end the CCD M rangefinder.</p>
<p>Compared to the Leica M (Type 24), these are the main differences in the Type 242:</p>
<ul>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">No Liveview (So no EVF?)</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">No Video</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">100g lighter, top plate made of aluminum</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">Smaller red dot Leica Logo</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">Shutter is quieter than the Type 240</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">There are only 2 pages in the menu system.</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">A closer body design to the M9</li>
<li class="amzn_view_checked amzn-taggable-text">Price: € 5,500/£4,050 (incl. VAT), $5,195 in the US (available for pre-order now)</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>

<p><em>Development of Digital SLR Camera Nikon D5</em></p>
<p><strong>November 18, 2015, TOKYO</strong> – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that it is developing the Nikon D5 digital SLR camera, which represents the next generation of professional Nikon FX-format models.</p>
<p>The new Wireless Transmitter WT-6 and Speedlight SB-5000, which will be positioned at the top of Nikon’s Speedlight lineup, are also being developed.</p>
<p>Through the combination of this next-generation professional camera offering an even higher level of performance, these advanced accessories and the rich lineup of existing NIKKOR lenses, Nikon is pursuing further possibilities for imaging expression.</p>
<p>*Details including release date and suggested retail price for this product have not yet been determined.</p>

The Canon EOS C300 Mark II mount conversion that was announced in the early fall is now available in France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK.</p>
<p><strong>From the Canon Professional Network:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>Owners and purchasers of the Canon EOS C300 Mark II can now benefit from a new lens mount service option which offers the capability to change the 4K Digital Cinema Camera’s original EF mount to EF Mount with Cinema Lock or to a PL mount and back again.</p>
<p>The Lens Mount Replacement service can be booked in at the Canon Regional Competence Centres (RCC) in France, Germany, Italy, Sweden or the UK. Alternatively, the PL lens mount and SHIM kit are also available for direct sale.</p>
<p>Canon has also revealed that from early 2016 a PL mount version of the C300 Mark II will be available to purchase in all EMEA territories. Up until now the camera has only been available in an EF mount but by January 2016 customers can choose whether to purchase an EF mount or a PL mount version. The upcoming PL mount version of the camera will provide support for all of Canon’s PL mount Cinema lenses and other industry-standard PL lenses (Cooke/i not supported), thus allowing for even greater shooting possibilities.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/eos_c300_mark_ii_lens_mount_updates.do" target="_blank">Read more at Canon Professional Network</a></strong></p>