Posted by safeskies on Oct 20, 2009 in
TSA Lock USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF
PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT INVOLVING AIRPORT SECURITY
LUGGAGE INSPECTION METHODS
(Washington, D.C., October 20, 2009) – Last week, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute an investigation of 20 dual access locks and products based on a Complaint filed by Roetzel & Andress on September 15, 2009 on behalf of David Tropp and Safe Skies, LLC for patent infringement against foreign luggage lock manufacturers. The investigation under Section 337 of the Tariff Act, is based on the unlawful importation into the U.S., sale for importation, and/or sale after importation of airport security-friendly luggage locks which infringe Mr. Tropp’s patents.
The Complaint seeks to have infringing locks excluded from importation into the United States. The USITC exclusion orders are enforced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. USITC remedial orders in Section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative.
In 2002, Tropp developed an innovative system for making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler. The system involves a special dual access lock, called the “TSA Lock,” available to airline travelers that can be opened by both the luggage owner and the Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”). This system provides a solution to the problem of clipped locks resulting from the TSA’s policy of cutting locks on luggage, if necessary, for inspection. The TSA Lock, currently used by more than 60 million travelers and recognized by 50,000 TSA officers in 400 U.S. airports, was patented by Tropp in April of 2006 and is covered by two U.S. patents, both entitled “Method of Improving Airline Luggage Inspection.”
The foreign lock manufacturers named in the Complaint, based in five countries with the majority located in China, have unlawfully manufactured, imported and distributed identical dual-entry TSA Locks into U.S. retail and distribution outlets. All infringing companies make TSA locks, baggage or luggage incorporating TSA locks and collaborate with Travel Sentry, also being sued for patent infringement. The impact of these infringements is not only lost domestic sales for Tropp’s patented methods, but also compromised security issues relating to possible tampering of luggage with clipped locks.
For additional information about this case, please contact Donald Dinan at 202.216.8302.
About Roetzel & Andress, L.P.A.
Founded in 1876, Roetzel & Andress is a law firm with 11 offices throughout Ohio, Florida and Washington, D.C. The firm has more than 220 attorneyswho provide comprehensive, integrated legal counsel in more than 40 different areas of law, and practice both nationally and internationally. For more information, visit www.ralaw.com.
About Safe Skies LLC
Safe Skies LLC (www.safeskieslocks.com) sells 100+ different styles of TSA luggage locks accepted and recognized by TSA and by United Kingdom’s Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). All Safe Skies TSA Locks are protected by US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728 with worldwide patents pending.
Tags: airport security, luggage, luggage inspection methods, luggage locks, TSA Lock
Posted by admin on Oct 15, 2009 in
TSA Lock October 15, 2009
News Release 09-083
Inv. No. 337-TA-689
Contact: Peg O’Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION ON CERTAIN DUAL ACCESS LOCKS AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SAME
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain dual access locks and products containing same. The products at issue in this investigation are known as “TSA locks” and are designed so that they can be opened with a master key by security personnel at an airport should it be deemed necessary to open the locked baggage for further screening.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed on September 15, 2009, by Safe Skies, LLC, and David Tropp, both of Brooklyn, NY. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain dual access locks and products containing same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
C&C Luggage Manufacturing Co., Ltd., of China;
Diplomat of Taiwan;
Hangzhou Gema Suitcases & Bags Co. Ltd. of China;
La Pearl Luggage and Leather Goods Co., Ltd., of China;
Hinomoto Jomae, Ltd., of Japan;
Sinox Company, Ltd., of Taiwan;
Yi Feng Manufacturing Co., Ltd., of China;
Jin Tay Industries Co., Ltd., of Taiwan;
FULLYEAR-Brother Enterprise Co., Ltd., of Taiwan;
Zhuhai SkyGood Tech. Industrial Corp., Ltd., of China;
Ningbo Xianfeng Art & Craft Co., Ltd., of China;
Paloma Enterprises Co., Ltd., of Taiwan;
Tekraft Industrial Co., Ltd., of Taiwan;
Hangzhou Travelsky Co., Ltd., of China;
The Sun Lock Company, Ltd., of Hong Kong;
Alloy Metal Manufactory, Ltd., of Hong Kong;
Cometform, Ltd., of England;
Design Go Ltd. of England;
Franzen International of Germany; and
M-Power Lock Manufactory of Hong Kong.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-689), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s six administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2009/er1015gg1.htm
Tags: luggage lock, luggage locks, patent
Posted by admin on Sep 22, 2008 in
TSA Lock It appears that Safe Skies Locks has launched a travel accessories line.
All of these products are designed to keep your travel speedy and secure without much of the hassle that normally goes along with our stepped up security as of recently.
Some of the products that are currently scheduled to be available are:
# 1 neck pillows:
microbeads shape to the contours of traveler’s neck and provide comfort during travel. The U-shaped design provides maximum head and neck comfort during travel
# 2 inflatable pillows:
inflatable pillow cradles your neck, providing great support and comfort. Offers head support on plane, train and car trips for a more relaxed trip.
# 3 luggage tags:
quickly identify your bag with these conspicuous tags, adding a touch of personal style to travel.
# 4 eye shades:
get that bit of sleep you need. soothe tired eyes, block light and decompress. Tailored to perfectly fit the contours of your face. Very lightweight and comfortable, you’ll hardly know you have your eye shades on.
# 5 ear plugs:
These reusable ear plugs reduce pressure in ears during flight while remaining comfortably in place in your ears.
# 6 passport case:
protect your national identity in style, made of leather
# 7 TSA compliant 3-1-1 bottles
clear, zip-top bag and travel bottles meet the TSA regulations for carry-on liquids, gels and aerosols
# 8 converter
voltage converter converts foreign voltage 220/240v to U.S. voltage 110/120v
# 9 adaptor
adapter plugs provide worldwide compatibility for U.S. electronics in over 150 countries
# 10 checkpoint-friendly laptop case
For more information regarding these products, please visit their online travel accessories store
As you can tell, many of these products are very much needed for travelers today.
Tags: checkpoint-friendly laptop case, luggage lock, luggage locks, passport case, travel accessories, TSA compliant 3-1-1 bottles, TSA laptop bag, TSA Lock, tsa locks
Posted by admin on Jan 18, 2008 in
TSA Lock MIAMI, Florida On the eve of the busy 2007 holiday season, Safe Skies Luggage Locks, the direct manufacturer and distributor of patented TSA luggage locks, working in close cooperation with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced an unprecedented seizure of pirated luggage locks at the port of Miami the quantity and product is believed to be a first in the history of CBP seizures. The seizure took place during the critical commercial trading days leading up to Christmas and the New Year. The luggage locks seized by CBP were imported by Travelpro. All of the seized luggage locks were Travel Sentry Certified. Rather than being distributed to retailers, these seized luggage locks will be disposed of shortly.
The illegal shipment was successfully intercepted by US Customs agents as it made its way from China destined for unsuspecting consumers in the United States. This operation brought relief to Safe Skies Luggage Locks, the company that solely developed unique themed luggage lock collections including, Flower Power, Camouflage, Animalique Boutique, Geometrics, Patriot, and Liberty Bell luggage locks. Safe Skies wants to do business in a fair way and we want others in the marketplace to be equally fair by trading in authentic patented luggage locks and not supporting piracy said Shawn Baig, director of Search and Seizure operations at Safe Skies. The luggage locks were illegally shipped to the United States in violation of Safe Skies intellectual property rights. The real winner today is the traveling public who can rest assured that the quality of their luggage locks will not be compromised by counterfeiting or piracy said Mr. Baig. Travelers have continued confidence that Safe Skies Luggage Locks allow them to lock their luggage with the best-built, most unique, and creative luggage locks on the market.
As the leading distributor of authentic patented luggage locks, Safe Skies ( www.safeskieslocks.com ) sells 100+ different styles of luggage locks accepted and recognized by United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and by United Kingdom’s Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). All Safe Skies Luggage Locks
( www.safeskieslocks.com ) are protected by US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728 with worldwide patents pending.
Safe Skies credits the successful counterfeit seizure to the global reach of CBP, Dan Baldwin, US Customs and Border Protection Assistant Commissioner for International Trade and Dans team of professionals. Weve found a true partner in CBP. We brought very specific information on a pirated luggage lock shipment to the attention of CBP. Dan Baldwins team turned our accurate intelligence into real results. We are most impressed with CBPs commitment to aggressively eliminate the piracy problem in the luggage lock business. Together we will block pirated luggage locks from entering the marketplace and destroy pirated merchandise before it reaches unsuspecting consumers said Mr. Baig.
While all involved in executing the seizure were delighted with the efficiency and effectiveness of the seizure, Safe Skies was quick to warn that similar operations will methodically continue and escalate in the future. Anyone trading in luggage locks should expect interception, seizure, and destruction of pirated luggage locks in the coming days and months. The issue on the agenda, which isnt coming off, is that CBP is committed to aggressively tracking down importers on Watch Lists and demonstrating that behavior, such as counterfeiting, will not be tolerated.
CBPs efforts and commitment to purge the marketplace of counterfeit luggage locks, while often times not spoken about publicly, are ongoing and underway even at this very moment said Mr. Baig. While operations like that send a strong message, Safe Skies hopes that its success will serve as a deterrent for others in the marketplace engaging in similar activities, while teaching a lesson to be respectful of intellectual property rights.
Expensive and lengthy litigation is not required to block the flow of infringing luggage locks. Close cooperation with authorities can result in targeted, quick, and successful results for intellectual property rights owners said Mr. Baig. The operation to seize pirated luggage locks is the first of many in a joint effort committed to clean up a marketplace infested with pirated products.
Posted by president on Feb 27, 2007 in
TSA Lock Travel Sentry, Inc., a company in the luggage lock business, has been sued for patent infringement by the inventor of US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728. This patent infringement lawsuit will be decided by jury trial in The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn, NY (Case # 1:06-CV-06415).
New York, NY (PRWEB) February 27, 2007 — February 27 2007 — Travel Sentry, Inc. ( travelsentry.org ), a company in the luggage lock business, has been sued for patent infringement by the inventor of US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728.
This patent infringement claim comes after Travel Sentry filed a lawsuit in Federal Court in New Hampshire seeking to squash inventor’s rights. Travel Sentry’s claim was thrown out of Federal Court in New Hampshire. They have since re-filed in New York.
TSA luggage locks allow air travelers to lock their checked bags while enabling Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officers to unlock and inspect them, rather than clip travelers’ luggage locks during a mandatory security inspection.
“I filed this patent infringement case for a very simple reason. The TSA Lock technology covered by US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728 is being knowingly and unfairly exploited,” said David Tropp, the inventor of these patents.
Through his company, Safe Skies LLC, Mr. Tropp practices his innovation by making his patented TSA Lock system available to the traveling public.
Mr. Tropp, an entrepreneur in his mid-twenties, developed an innovative system for making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler. The United States Patent and Trademark Office recognized Mr. Tropp’s innovation and issued two patents; one patent on April 4, 2006, and the other patent on May 2, 2006.
Tropp is seeking injunctive relief enjoining Travel Sentry and those working with them from infringing US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728.
This patent infringement lawsuit will be decided by jury trial in The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn, NY (Case # 1:06-CV-06415).
About Safe Skies LLC:
Safe Skies LLC ( http://www.safeskieslocks.com ) sells 100+ different styles of TSA luggage locks approved by TSA and by United Kingdom’s Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). All Safe Skies TSA Locks ( http://www.safeskieslocks.com ) are protected by US Patents 7,021,537 and 7,036,728 with worldwide patents pending.
Posted by president on Jan 6, 2007 in
TSA Lock Unscrupulous airport baggage handling personnel in South Africa are taking advantage of an American air travel security legislation barring the locking of luggage of passengers leaving the United States.
The US’s Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all passengers leaving the United States by air to use only TSA-approved luggage locks and if they don’t, luggage should be left unlocked otherwise the cases will be forced open.
Assistant Information Officer at the US Embassy in Pretoria Dan Biers said luggage can be locked but “the TSA asks that passengers use locks it recognises”, he said.
Full Story
Also it’s worth mentioning that Safe Skies Locks (R) has opened a South African Division recently
http://www.safeskieslocks.co.za/
Posted by president on Jan 4, 2007 in
TSA Lock Safe Skies Locks (R) is the inventor of the TSA lock system. If your luggage is secured with a standard luggage lock and your bag needs to be opened for inspection, airport security is so determined to gain access to inspect that they will break the lock to gain access to inspect your bag.
The TSA Lock invention alleviates the issue by providing tools and knowledge to TSA baggage screeners allowing them to open, inspect and close your luggage without damaging it’s contents or the lock itself.
Here are two of the TSA Lock patents:
http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT7021537&id=HGh3AAAAEBAJ
http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT7036728&id=nQd3AAAAEBAJ
Both Patents teach the TSA lock system. Generally it’s a good idea to purchase the TSA lock from the patent holder, as you know you are supporting innovation. The TSA Padlock is also approved for use in the UK as well as several other countries.
You can purchase the TSA LOCK directly online.
If you have any questions regarding the lock, please contact Safe Skies Locks (R) directly
Tags: luggage locks
Posted by president on Dec 28, 2006 in
TSA Lock Safe Skies(TM) TSA Luggage Locks Announces Free Accessories and Free Shipping For Holiday Travelers.
This program should last into the 2007 Season.
Holiday travelers can now get the newest TSA approved locks from Safe Skies(TM) (http://www.safeskieslocks.com) TSA Luggage Locks. All ground shipping in the United States of America is now free for customers.
Customers at Safe Skies are now able to enjoyfree luggage accessorieswithorders totalingover $39.99.Afree luggage accessory available for Safe Skies customers are luggage tags with purchase over $39.99. Luggage tags are the easiest way to keep track of your luggage in the airport. Another holiday free luggage accessory with purchase over $49.99 is a colorful luggage grip.
All international customers are also rewarded with free shipping with a purchase over $14.99. Federal and international luggage screeners are provided unique tools and secured access devices to gain access to Safe Skies(TM) luggage locks for mandatory security inspections. New Safe Skies Lock designs are quite attractive with vivid colors and fashionable styles. They help in multiple ways, not only are they approved with the TSA, they are also unique to help identify your luggage.
About Safe Skies(TM) TSA Luggage Locks: Safe Skies(TM) Locks come in various colors and sizes including combination locks and padlocks. The Safe Skies(TM) product line is growing with different styles and designs. Every traveler needs a luggage lock. Safe Skies(TM) TSA locks give business travelers peace of mind. Please visit http://www.safeskieslocks.com) for more information.
This press release was issued on behalf of Safe Skies Locks (TM) by Yooter InterActive Marketing (http://www.yooter.com).
Posted by president on Dec 14, 2006 in
TSA Lock Google’s new patent searchallows for easy consumer searches. We spent some time playing around with the patent search system and found some interesting facts. One of them being the pocket protectorfrom October 26, 1889
This simple fact that the pocket protector was patented in 1889 is something that we could havenever really known before. Sure we couldhave used the US patent office search system, but the interface is far more difficult to use than Google’s system. Hence why we feel it will popular right off the bat.
But searching for pocket protectors is a comical search, searching for things that actually matter, such as a new product might actually lead you to see what you are really buying.
For example the Luggage Lock industry has recently made some dramatic changes in the past few years. Using an old style luggage lock at the airport would not be advisable today as Airport Security is just going to clip your lock or even your luggage. Hence the invention of the TSA Lock.
A quick Google Patent Search for TSA LOCK shows patent US Pat. 7021537 and US Pat. 7036728
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm
Safe Skies(tm) Lock Company makes TSA Luggage Locks protected by these patents. The Main company website is located at http://www.safeskieslocks.com. It also appears that they have opened several divisions in non-US countries such as Canada TSA Locksand the UK Padlocks site and even down under in OZ and NZand Japan Padlocks
It appears that having a strong patent such as the Safe Skies(tm) TSA Locks Patent makes sense, real sense when making a purchasing decision on what types of Luggage Locks to buy. Actually backing up your purchase decision with a patent search makes sense these days. This proves that you are purchasing a product thatis patent protected.
We strongly suggest using the new Google Patent Search beforeyou buy anything new to the market this holiday season.
In the case of Pocket Protectors however, we think that the patent expired roughly a century ago …
Posted by president on Sep 22, 2006 in
TSA Lock 
We took the time to discuss the SafeSkies(tm) Luggage Lock System.
Here are some examples
Luggage Lock (PDF) Photos(1)
Luggage Lock (PDF) Photos(2)
Luggage Lock (PDF) Photos(3)
The below link to the Photos non-pdf and of high res:
Luggage Lock Photos (4)
Luggage Lock Photos (5)
Luggage Lock Photos (6)
The Luggage Lock System is the only one that is Protected by US Patents # 7,021,537 and 7,036,728 and is opened by the TSA (without destroying ones luggage).
We had tested the product from a flight from Allentown, PA to Orlando, Florida a few weeks back, the luggage was opened by the TSA, then closed without any damage to our baggage. We had to admit it was somewhat interesting to then watch the ordeal experienced by the guy sitting next to us. He had only a regular, non-TSA approved lock on his luggage and therefore had some serious issues with the TSA. While trying to inspect his luggage, they were unable to open his lock and his luggage suffered the costs. When the change is so simple, why would you choose anything else?
Our experience was friendly and the TSA security did say ‘We like the Safe Skies(tm) ones because they never give us problems.’
That is our review of the Safe Skies(tm) Luggage Lock System
