design emerged.

Patent disputes

In 1970, Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer were granted a joint U.S. patent for the windsurfing rig (U.S. Patent 3,487,800). In 1973, Drake sold his share of the patent to Schweitzer.

During the 1970s and early 1980s, windsurfing experienced rapid international growth. As the patent holder, Schweitzer pursued licensing agreements worldwide and required manufacturers to pay royalties to produce sailboards using the patented design. These licensing practices became the subject of controversy

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