Competition in the firearms and firearms accessories market benefits consumers. It stands to reason, right? One of the best ways for a company to earn your business and make you a customer is to put out superior products. If they produce something that you want to buy more than you want to buy a different manufacturer’s comparable offering, they win your business – and in the process, you also win by virtue of improvements and innovations to which you gain access. Another option for a company to make themselves and their products more attractive is to sell them at a lower price point. Most consumers are mindful of their spending; they have to be judicious about how many of their dollars they are willing to relinquish and to whom for what. Buyers in general want good value – some of which will involve the quality and features of the product in question, but cost combines with other considerations to comprise a comprehensive value proposition. It’s not enough just to make a product; you have to sell it at a price that people are both able and willing to pay. Trijicon and Holosun both understand these precepts well, and they recently locked horns over how one another was going about their business.

The RMR was one of two Trijicon products specifically named in the lawsuit against Holosun.

Following its introduction in 2009, Trijicon’s RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) sight quickly became the king of pistol optics. For years, it was really the only viable option for handgunners wanting something more modern than iron sights. The days of the RMR’s uncontested domination are no more, however. Due in no small part to Trijicon’s significant success with these small red dots, popularity and consumer demand for pistol optics have exploded. Today’s market is enjoying the effects of numerous manufacturer’s response to this demand, and we are fortunate to have an ever-growing supply of new options and innovations. Holosun operates at the forefront of this niche’s expansion. Though they formerly stood small in Trijicon’s shadow, over the last several years Holosun has become a strong contender in their own right and their optics have seen tremendous improvements in quality as the company has matured. More and more shooters continue to choose 407- or 507-series dots for their handguns, as well as additional choices produced by a smattering of other companies, instead of RMRs. In light of this competitive environment, it was supremely interesting that Trijicon recently sued Holosun for alleged patent infringement. In just two short months, however, the lawsuit has been settled. It appears that normal innovation-based competition in this market segment will continue unimpeded, at least for the time being. On September 3rd, Holosun issued the following press release about the suit’s termination.

Trijicon also alleged that Holosun infringed on their SRO design.

Photos courtesy of Holosun and Trijicon.