Concrete Washout Systems of Elk Grove, Calif., cites successful defense of the patent-pending status of its CWS invention, while entering into a licensing partnership with Washout Systems, LLC in Las Vegas, which had developed a similar product. The CWS is a portable, self-contained bin configured for transporting from one jobsite to the next; a patent-pending invention for it was published in Aug. 2004.

Soon after discovering equipment appearing to copy his technology, CWS Vice President Kevin Mickelson met in Las Vegas with Washout Systems principals. He provided them with the CWS patent application and a cease-and-desist order, in addition to an overview of the CWS patent-pending product and business model.

“We would rather explore and develop partnerships instead of pursuing legal actions against companies and feel this type of partnership is a win-win scenario for all parties involved,” Mickelson contends. Washout Systems will be operating in the greater Clark County/Las Vegas market, he adds, and anticipates having more than 200 units in operation over the next 12 months.