I'm curious if other companies can develop and sell products that work with Milwaukee's Packout storage system. For example, if I were to design a specialized IV pump for large animal veterinary practices, I could create a custom base plate that fits Packout units. Or consider creating a mounting bracket for a Deere 7810 tractor's cab that allows for attaching Packout organizers. Does Milwaukee have any official stance on this, or do they tend to look the other way?
3 Answers
There's definitely a market for Packout-compatible products, even if they aren't super popular. Just keep in mind that if you design something that infringes on their patents, you'll probably face legal issues if it gains traction. But as of now, a lot of little creators are experimenting without much interference from Milwaukee.
It seems like Milwaukee doesn't crack down much on small companies selling Packout-compatible products. Just be cautious about using their trademarks or logos. I've seen lots of similar products on sites like Amazon and Walmart, and they seem to go unnoticed.
Milwaukee holds the patents for Packout, so they technically wouldn’t license it to anyone else. But they don't seem to mind smaller businesses stepping in to offer compatible products. Many have made various attachments and sold them online, so I doubt they would target you unless you really stepped on their toes.