Q: can i manufacture an aftermarket Sig Sauer P238 slide ?
A:
You can be sure that any global firearms manufacturer such as Sig Sauer will have IP protection on their products and significant portions thereof. Sig Sauer has utility patents, design patents, trademarks, and other forms of IP protection. While it is likely that Sig Sauer was not able to get protection on the grip, or a sear pin, or a firing pin block spring, or other simple parts that are common to many semiautos, it is likely that major parts such the receiver or the slide (displaying their logo) may be protected.
If you are going into the business of providing aftermarket parts such as slides for this exciting industry, you really do need to have an IP attorney give you some sort of a legal opinion that you are able to do so. Firstly, the opinion will give you a peace of mind that you are not infringing on anyone’s rights, and secondly, it will provide you with a protection against charges of a willful infringement.
And of course, this all also supposes that you are able to operate out of California (one of the most anti-gun states in the Union) and make the ATF happy.
I wish you lots of good luck in your endeavor.
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