Bogota Picks Versus the Imitators
I have no idea how many pickmakers use the name Bogota name on their lockpicks with permission. Originally Serepick was the only place I was aware of that was licensed to use the trademark. I'd thought at one point Sparrow's was licensed to use the name but I just checked and saw that they're calling them "double peak" and "triple peak" rakes, so I guess I was mistaken.
Southord later started selling copies. If I understand the situation correctly, they either got served with a cease and desist letter or were informed of the trademark and quickly changed the name from "Bogota" to "Pagoda". Interesting thing to note though, they originally changed both the webpage advertisement and the URL from Bogota to Pagoda:
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-To ... XS-12.html
but now that link is dead.
As of today, their webpage itself still advertises their Bogota imitations under the new non-infringing "Pagoda" name, however at some point the URL has been quietly changed back to say "Bogota".
http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-To ... XS-12.html
Is this an attempt to capitalize on the name in Google searches, despite not having a license to use the trademark?
If so, it seems rather iffy to me.
It also seems like every time I turn around, I'm seeing yet another new pick company coming out of the woodwork, many of whom have obvious Bogota imitations in their lineup. Sometimes they are advertised with the Bogota name, sometimes without. I'd be curious to know how many are doing so with Rai's approval and how many are ripping off the name.
More than just the name itself though it's interesting to me, to see a design that was once just a little known "secret" among some locksport enthusiasts, but has spread all over the internet recently on the many new lockpicking forums that have sprouted up and in so many different pickmakers and retailer's offerings.