Leatt Corporation, Inc. (LEAT)

[jamestc]

Leatt information.

The Leatt-Brace website now has a press release archive of some previous statements issued. There is nothing new, but I found it curious that these announcements suddenly returned to their website. Many of you will recall that the site was completely scrubbed of nearly all press releases earlier.

http://www.leatt-brace.com/index.php?page_id=11&msg_id=133&id=2

A history of press releases can still be found all over the Internet, of course.

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It appears they are working on a new helmet design with a deformable inner layer.

http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/ia.jsp?ia=IB2006%2F002866&IA=IB2006%2F002866&DISPLAY=STATUS

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As is already known, they are coming out with a newer, cheaper neck brace called the ADVenture Moto GPX. I have been told right from the horses mouth that it will be available at the end of this month (September). Note that we also heard the end of July. The end of September date was also noted at the following link. See bottom post.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-676937.html&s=af9ff804e009802350578c4ba62f19a6&

The last thing I want is Leatt getting into a price war with itself. However, the current brace and this one are sufficiently different that I believe they will co-exist nicely.

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As has been noted, Leatt has brought legal action against various companies including Fro and Alpine Stars. Fro was defeated and the Alpine Stars action was taken on April 26 2007.

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-cacdce/case_no-2:2007cv02742/case_id-387651/

However, it was voluntarily dismissed. One wonders if an agreement was reached or did the case have no merit. Anyone know?

Office: Western Division - Los Angeles
Filed: 04/26/2007
Jury Demand: Plaintiff Demand:
Nature of Suit: 840
Cause: 15:1051 Trademark Infringement
Jurisdiction: Federal Question
Disposition: Dismissed - Voluntarily
County: XX US, Outside California
Terminated: 06/20/2008

The Alpinestars unit, if it eventually reaches the market, costs quite a bit more than the GPX unit and a lot more than the soon to be released ADVenture.

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As of June 6, 2008, it appears 70,000 Leatt Brace Moto GPX braces have been sold.

http://kontrol.co.za/clients/leatt/leatt-forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=35&page=1#Item_0

Obviously this figure is probably an estimate, so take it with a grain of salt.
It does not include this summer.
It appears to apply to only the GPX model. Other models are being sold right now.

It uses the word “sale”, as in sold. I take that as not including sponsored riders\events or giveaways.

The brace is used in more than motocross and I am not sure that number extends to other sporting events such as the various forms of auto racing or even mountain biking.

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This is a little blurb that’s been out there for a while. See the second company listed. I know nothing about this site so again, grain of salt time.

http://www.savantic.co.za/index_files/Page470.htm

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There has been talk about the Leatt brace causing some injuries. A popular one was the brace caused a severe laceration to a rider. This was their response.

http://kontrol.co.za/clients/leatt/leatt-forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=37&page=1

Also, there has been talk about increases in collarbone (clavicle) breakage when using the Leatt Brace. This is their response.

http://kontrol.co.za/clients/leatt/leatt-forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=31&page=1

It has been asked whether or not there been any reduction in neck injuries since the brace has been released. This is their response.

http://kontrol.co.za/clients/leatt/leatt-forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=35&page=1

It has also been asked if the neck braces will be mandated. Obviously, in some forms of auto racing neck restraints ARE mandatory. This is their response.

http://kontrol.co.za/clients/leatt/leatt-forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=43&page=1#Item_0

They are pursuing various forms of certification for the neck braces

http://kontrol.co.za/clients/leatt/leatt-forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=35&page=1
http://www.pr.com/press-release/25001 (old news)

There are other certifications being applied for also. I didn’t bother to link to them.

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Remember, early 2007 was not good for them. Trading was suspended due to a SPAM email problem. As far as I know, the company was not implicated, but no resolution to the issue was ever announced as far as I know.

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2007/2007-34.htm

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Their web page describing the people in charge has changed personnel. Unfortunately, I did not save the previous listing.

http://leatt-brace.com/index.php?page_id=10&id=2

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I understand there are 110 million shares allocated and the insiders have quite a few of them. They had that information on their website at one time but I did not save it. Anyone know?