shimano has since liscenced their splined pattern to other companies so they can make cranks for it.

but, the thing is they havent done it the other way around. the pattern cannot be used by other companies to make BBs. and that is where the problem lies. the shimano es70 BB is really heavy, so in order to use the light hollowtech cranks, or any other new crank out there for that pattern...your gonna have to sacrifice the weight of the es70 BB.

i like shimano, they make quality products...but lately they have been somewhat monopolizing the market.