BROOKLYN (CN) - A young Brooklyn inventor claims 17 luggage companies are violating his patented device that allows airport security guards to open luggage for searches, while protecting the bags from others. David Tropp says he invented the device in late 2002, when the Department of Homeland Security announced that airport screeners would be allowed to break into luggage to search it.
Tropp says he received two patents on his "Method of Improving Airline Luggage Inspection" invention in 2006. He was 21 when he invented it.
He demands damages, costs and an injunction, and treble damages for willful infringement. He is represented in Federal Court by Ronald Coleman with Goetz Fitzpatrick of Manhattan.
Here are the defendants: ConAir Corp., Brookstone, Briggs & Riley Travelware, Delsey Luggage, EBags, Eagle Creek, Fortune Brands, HP Marketing Corp., L.C. Industries, Outpac Designs, Magellan's International Travel Corp., Samsonite Corp., Titan Luggage USA, TravelPro International, Tumi, Victorinox Swiss Army, and Defendant Worldlock.
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