Rapstrap

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rapstrap is a system of securing and bundling together cables, ropes, plants, etc. It is a reusable plastic strap that is wrapped around the cables, plants, or supports and then cut to size, similarly to cable ties. However, unlike cable ties, the excess that is cut off can be used again.

Dragons' Den

The inventor of rapstrap, Andrew Harsley, appeared on the Dragons' Den TV show in 2008, and was able to sell 50% of his company for £150,000.[1] He made a deal with two dragons, James Caan and Duncan Bannatyne. [2] Since then, one of the world's leading plastics distributors Hitachi-Maxell had secured a £36m contract for the rapstrap, making it the biggest success story of Dragons' Den.[3]

Patent

In March 2009, the UK's Intellectual Property Office said that the "Rapstrap" had characteristics that could infringe patents owned Millepede Marketing Ltd. Millepede was set up by Harsley, who subsequently left to found Rapstrap. This is not a legal opinion and Millepede have to prove this through the courts. This finding does not allow Millepede to demand for licensing or insist on a halt of production or sales without going through the courts.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Hall, Jo (12 August 2008). "Andy leaves Dragons' Den with £150,000 - but it costs him half his business". Grantham Journal. Retrieved 9 September 2008. 
  2. ↑ "Dragons' Den Series 6". BBC. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 9 September 2008. 
  3. ↑ Thomas, Liz (18 September 2008). "Inventor becomes Dragons' Den's biggest success story". Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 September 2008. 
  4. ↑ Intellectual Property Office

External links


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