Streamlight Sues Harbor Freight Over Weapon Lights
We covered a new weapon light from Harbor Freight that bore a strong resemblance to the TLR-1. It seems that Streamlight is aware of those similarities and has filed a lawsuit against Harbor Freight. But the specific claims in that lawsuit might surprise you.
Lawsuits @ TFB:
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- Lawsuit Alert: Palmetto State Armory v. Shield Arms
- Trijicon Fires Back Re: Lawsuit Settlement with Holosun
This lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court in Delaware, case number 1:25-cv-00795-UN. Both Streamlight and Harbor Freight are businesses incorporated in Delaware, though Streamlight's headquarters is in Pennsylvania and Harbor Freight's is in California. Most large businesses incorporate in Delaware, so it is unsurprising that both of these companies would do so as well.
The first claim of the lawsuit is about the silver ring around the head of the light. Streamlight has used that as an identifying mark for many years and has a trademark dating back to 2013. This claim seems pretty clear cut, and it is noteworthy that Harbor Freight's light is now pictured on their website without that ring mark. The Harbor Freight lights have also been out of stock (trust me, I've been checking the inventory status regularly) since our first article about them ran. I have also been getting text messages and DMs from friends checking their local store, all of which have shown empty shelf spaces where the lights would be.
The next major claim is that the Harbor Freight light infringes on Streamlight's patented attachment system. Streamlight included a copy of that patent and comparison photos with the Harbor Freight light to show that it is the same. Anyone who has used a TLR-1 will recognize the similarities between these inserts used with different accessory rails.
The lawsuit goes on to include other claims, like violation of the Delaware Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Delaware Antidilution Statute. These state law claims involve misrepresentation in consumer sales, and causing confusion about the origin of the goods being sold. Whether the court grants relief for these claims or the federal patent and trademark claims remains to be seen, but we will keep an eye on this lawsuit as it develops.
AKA @fromtheguncounter on Instagram. Gun nerd, reloader, attorney, and mediocre hunter.
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They are for sale again without the silver ring
Streamlight has had the market sewn up for years, and now that they're getting serious competition, they cry "FOUL" because they KNOW that they've been over-charging & gouging customers for YEARS !
If their lights are superior to HFT, the market will apply the necessary corrections. BUT I'd almost bet that the lights come from the SAME factory in the Orient !
Check your lights, some Streamlight are made in U.S.A. others are not!