Originally Posted by
maddog34
"Shimano now sells quick links for it's 11 speed chains. The same design as the other 11-speed links.
I expect the patent on the KMC-style master link has expired. Shimano is notoriously reluctant to license other manufacturer's technology (see threadless headsets for example) and equally reluctant to license their technology to other makers.
I have read that many of Shimano's chains are made by KMC so rebranding a KMC link would be easy if there are no patent issues.