Chuck Schmidt wrote:
> Since Campagnolo held the patent for the quick release, if your
> company wanted to make a QR copy you'd have to pay Tullio a
> licensing fee or wait for the patent to expire years later.
Forgot to add that I have some Gnutti quick release levers that are stamped "LIC CAMPAGNOLO" and have seen an Italian company called FT that have similar markings so there were at least a couple of companies that paid a licensing fee to Campagnolo to make their own QRs.
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)