Gun Maker Seeks Declaration It Doesn’t Infringe Rival’s Patent

Palmetto State Armory LLC has filed a complaint asking a federal court to declare that a magazine for one of its pistols doesn’t infringe a competitor’s patent for a polymer-over-metal magazine.

Palmetto filed the declaratory judgment action in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina on Thursday after it said Shield Arms LLC sent multiple cease and desist letters demanding that Palmetto stop making and selling the accused magazine.

“Absent a declaration of non-infringement, Defendant will continue to wrongfully allege that PSA infringes the Patent-In-Suit, and thereby cause PSA irreparable injury and damage,” the complaint says.

Shield ...