Originally Posted by
cudak888
*ahem...* Klein.
Heck, Cannondale technically ripped off the Klein design; Schwinn went ahead and produced their early aluminum frames under license (Klein had a few patents at the time, IIRC).
-Kurt
"then just about anyone"
No question they ripped of Klein. (Was there ever a trial on the patent infringement or was it all negotiations?) But, they created a technology and a brand that continued on strong for many years, unlike niche players like Klein.