The View From #2

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Windsurfing International's chief U.S. competitor -- and the first it sued -- is Sailrider Inc., a Providence, R.I., manufacture of sailboards that entered into business in 1977 without a license and now boasts 45 employees and 400 dealerships. The fast-growing company wasn't sued until 1980. It was the major Patent Office objector to the reissue application. Says Sailrider's founder, Jim Walter: "Like any business in America, a market is best served by competition. We believe that in this situation, Windsurfing's competitors serve it well.

There's no reason why they don't have the right to compete. Anyone can get a patent. The real question is, is it really unique? If someone else did it prior to that, there is no right to exclusivity. I'm the one who's being put-upon. In time, our position will be vindicated."