COLUMBIA, Mo., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: AOUT), (AOB), an innovation company that provides product solutions for outdoor enthusiasts, today filed a complaint against Eposeidon Outdoor Adventure, Inc., and KastKing Fishing Tackle, Inc., alleging that the defendants knowingly violated AOB's patent rights incorporated in the BUBBA® multi-flex interchangeable fillet knife products. AOB filed the claim in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and seeks injunctive and monetary relief, as well as a finding of willful infringement by the defendants.
Brian Murphy, President and CEO of American Outdoor Brands, said, "We have made significant investments in engineering innovative, proprietary technologies that power our BUBBA® multi-flex interchangeable fillet knife line. These patented designs-including our Flex-Change® locking system-set our products apart through superior performance, durability, and precision on the water. We filed this action because we believe KastKing has deliberately copied these patented innovations and continued selling the infringing products despite repeated notice. Protecting our intellectual property is essential not only to our business, but to maintaining a fair and competitive marketplace for innovation. Over the past five years, we have grown our patent portfolio by more than 50%, and that portfolio now exceeds 400 active or pending patents. We remain committed to enforcing our patents and will take decisive action when necessary to protect the integrity of our brands and the trust our customers place in BUBBA® and all of our products."
AOB alleges that Eposeidon began selling its KastKing Interchangeable Fillet Knife Kits without the permission or authorization of the company. AOB developed innovative technology incorporated in its BUBBA® multi-flex interchangeable fillet knife products covered by U.S. Patent Nos. 12,285,879 and 12,441,011, with other patents pending. AOB is seeking an order that requires Eposeidon to withdraw infringing products from the market, compensates AOB for past infringement, finds Eposeidon's infringement to be willful, and awards AOB treble damages and its attorneys' fees from Eposeidon.
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
The statements contained in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about anticipated financial outcomes and expenditures as well as other statements about our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events and our future results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, among others, potential disruptions in our ability to source the materials necessary for the production of our products, disruptions and delays in the manufacture of our products, and difficulties encountered by retailers and other components of the distribution channel for our products; economic, social, political, legislative, and regulatory factors, such as the impact from changing economic policies, tariffs and supply chain constraints; the potential for product recalls, product liability, and other claims or lawsuits against us; inventory levels, both internally and in the distribution channel, in excess of demand; natural disasters, pandemics, seasonality, news events, political events, and consumer tastes; future investments for capital expenditures; our ability to introduce new products that are successful in the marketplace; interruptions of our arrangements with third-party contract manufacturers and freight carriers that disrupt our ability to fill our customers' orders; the features, quality, and performance of our products; the success of our strategies and marketing programs; lower levels of consumer spending in general and specific to our products or product categories; liquidity and anticipated cash needs and availability; increases in costs or decreases in availability of finished products, components, and raw materials; the uncertainty around tariff policies and potential recovery of tariffs paid that have been determined to be unlawful, and the potential for increased tariffs on our products, including additional tariffs that may be imposed by the current presidential administration; our ability to maintain or strengthen our brand recognition and reputation; risks associated with the distribution of our products and overall availability of labor; and other risks detailed in the "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information," "Risk Factors" and other sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we disclaim any obligation and do not intend to publicly update or review any of our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About American Outdoor Brands, Inc.
American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: AOUT) is an innovation company that provides product solutions for outdoor enthusiasts, including hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, meat processing, outdoor cooking, and personal security and personal defense products. The Company produces innovative, high-quality products under brands including BOG®; BUBBA®; Caldwell®; Crimson Trace®; Frankford Arsenal®; Grilla®; Hooyman®; Imperial®; LaserLyte®; Lockdown®; MEAT! Your Maker®; Old Timer®; Schrade®; Tipton®; Uncle Henry®; ust®; and Wheeler®. For more information about all the brands and products from American Outdoor Brands, Inc., visit www.aob.com.
Contact:
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SOURCE American Outdoor Brands, Inc.
