Article: Zippo battles counterfeit lighters

BRADFORD, Pa. -- The Zippo lighter is easily recognizable: a rectangular metal shell with beveled edges and a gently curved flip- top.

That simple design is just as easy to copy, and Zippo Manufacturing Co., which has been making the popular lighters for more than 70 years, wants that to stop.

The lighter's shape now registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the company has been moving against makers of imitations and pressing retailers to get the knockoffs off the shelves. The company is telling manufacturers and vendors of copycat products to stop by June 30 or face legal action.

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