Questions on bidirectional pleating

**mom7tn** · 29th July 08, 08:11 AM

Greetings Kilted Ones,

My husband and I are new to (yet very thrilled with) kilts as modern day wear. Living in the south east of the states all these "new fangled" modern/contemporary kilts have not quite found their way here for "out and about" everyday wear. One day while doing research on other things "celtic" I ran across Utilikilts and we were hooked! He has always wished that kilts were acceptable wear and now we found that our region of the country is just way behind the times! Since I am a seamstress/tailor of 40 plus years (started as a mere child!) and with 7 young-uns funds are always tight we immediately started researching and studying and I designed and stitched up our own contemporary kilt. When he wore it out the response was overwhelming and I have several folks wanting to purchase/trade for one of mine. It does look really good if I say so myself! (My husband of course thinks it is the model that is getting all the attention!) My question is this: when studying the various web sites and info on kilt making I ran across a couple of Utilikilt patents. I understand the leather patent with adjustable sides but I am having a hard time actually understanding the first patent. Did Steven actually patent the bidirectional pleating? He also mentions the snaps in the front as part of the patent. How about the closure system? Not being one to understand or function well in the world of law and such can someone explain the extent of his patent and how that would affect other manufacturers in this country?
Any answer to this question would not imply any legal responsibility on the part of the answerer! Just trying to "cover my rear"!

Thanks,
Mom7TN
Make Do Farm

**Brian07663NJ** · 29th July 08, 11:04 AM

I am not legally versed in patent law but if you are not trying to make an exact replica of a Utilikilt and are not trying to say you made a Utilikilt...I do not see how you are breaking a law. You are not mass producing these things - you are doing them by hand and not defrauding Utilikilt. My wife used to work for a big company that used to literally buy competitors products, change a few things and then call it their own. It clearly was a duplication of the competition but according to what she told me (based on their legal team) is that minor changes to make it 'your own' is enough. They would literally change the color of the item, the shape, type of material, etc. As far as a unique adjustable side - I am not familiar with Utilikilt but velcro, buttons, snaps etc not sure that is something that can be specifically patent. If in question - I would say make a change to it. Just don't try to pass it off as Utilikilt.

**Sylvain** · 29th July 08, 02:30 PM

It's a patent, not a copyright.
But I cannot understand how UK could patent a design any seamstress could do...

**ccga3359** · 29th July 08, 02:41 PM

The bidirectional pleating you speak of is not new or even designed but Utilikilts. It is called Kingussie (or actually Reverse Kingussie to be exact) named after an ancient kilt found in that area of Scotland. UK had the gaul to take the design and patent it as their own. RKilts here in Canada also uses this pleating style. I'm not a fan of UK's due to their narrow aprons and the triangular styling snaps in the front always remind me of the female nether regions. I do however appreciate contemperary kilts, owning 3 Canadian Casual Kilts, 2 RKilts and a Freedom Kilt. Good luck in your venture.

**Pleater** · 29th July 08, 05:12 PM

I've been making kilts for myself for some time now, and I started off with the Kingussie style, but when I had to remake kilts to accomodate weightloss, I changed it to the reverse method, as I found that the forward facing pleats caught on every bit of vegetation.

The design is entirely logical.

If you have the time to make kilts for others, then I'd say go ahead.

Anne the Pleater

**mom7tn** · 29th July 08, 07:55 PM

Thanks to all of you who were generous with your time and gave me suggestions and ideas for working within legal parameters on bidirectional or should I say reverse kingussie pleated kilts. I have been researching through old threads on the forums and following links and have learned that I have lots to learn! I am rethinking and redesigning my husband's new style of clothing and will post on the photo forum when we have a new design. Then I will ask that you all take a look and give me feedback! Thanks again! Mom to 7 in TN Make Do Farm Only the wee ones think it is Make Doo Farm!