Hi Kickstarter community,
 

Yen here again.

Today I’m not here to talk about PenN’s features or campaign updates. Instead, I’d like to address a topic that has come up several times since launch.

Over the past few weeks, we have received messages and public comments claiming that PenN is a copy of a titanium pen made by a U.S.-based EDC brand.

Initially, we chose not to respond. Similar accusations are common on the internet, and we believed the work itself would speak for itself. More recently, however, the company contacted us directly via Kickstarter, referencing U.S. Patent No. US10836203B2 and requesting a response regarding potential similarities between their design and ours.

As a design brand, we take originality seriously. We also believe discussions about creative ownership should be grounded in facts rather than assumptions. For that reason, we’d like to share our position and the development history behind PenN.

First, some background

ANTOU is a Taiwan-based design and manufacturing team. 

Before these discussions surfaced, we had no relationship with the company in question, nor did we reference their product during the development of PenN or its predecessor designs.

For reference, the patent can be found here:
US10836203B2

We have already engaged patent counsel to conduct a technical comparison between both products. A formal response will be handled through appropriate channels.

For now, we focus on publicly verifiable facts.

Understanding the Two Designs

Based on our reading of the patent, the referenced design uses a multi-component mechanism consisting of:

• Grip Section 30
• Collet 50
• Outer Barrel 70
• Adjustment Cylinder 80

These components work together to clamp the refill while adjusting overall pen length.

Our understanding is that the operating principle is based on a collet-type clamping mechanism, a concept commonly used in precision tools such as hand drills and machining equipment.

Our Development: PenC → PenN

Our design originated from PenC (originally named Pen Ø 2.26).

The original PenC architecture consists of:

• A single-piece barrel
• A collet
• A collet key that also functions as the cap

Inside the cap are three engagement points that mate with the collet’s three slots. By rotating the cap, the collet is tightened into the barrel, creating the clamping force that secures the refill.

This mechanism forms the foundation of our universal refill system and has been continuously refined over time to improve compatibility, tolerances, and user experience. The refill system used in PenN is a direct evolution of this earlier design.

The Timeline

The patent referenced lists:

• Provisional application: November 7, 2017
• Formal application: November 7, 2018

PenC was publicly presented prior to these dates, including:

• Public exhibition in 2017
• Winner of the Golden Pin Design Award (September 2017)
• Winner of the Red Dot Design Award (March 2018)

These records show that PenC was publicly disclosed before the patent filing date referenced above. Providing the supporting references for anyone who wishes to review the timeline.

• Announcement of 2017 Golden Pin Design winner through official social account 
• Winner list of 2017 Golden Pin Design Award
• Online archive  

Why We Are Sharing This

Kickstarter exists because creators believe new ideas are worth pursuing.

Sometimes independent designers arrive at similar solutions or principles. Similarity alone does not define authorship. We believe originality should be evaluated through evidence, development history, and engineering execution—not assumptions based on appearance or category. Constructive feedback is always welcome. Not everyone needs to like PenN, and not everyone needs to agree with our design decisions.

What we cannot accept are public accusations presented as fact without evidence, especially when they affect the reputation of a design team that has spent years developing and refining its work. We will continue to document and respond to formal matters through appropriate channels, while remaining open to respectful and fact-based discussion.

To everyone who has supported PenN and followed our journey.thank you for taking the time to understand the full story.

— Yen
ANTOU Design Studio