BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas - An inventor in Brazoria County says his patented design was unfairly copied by a big box sports and outdoors retailer.

Brazoria County invention ripped off

Avid fisherman Vance Zahorski says he designed and patented his "Line Cutterz" fish-line cutter in 2015, as a convenient answer to a common task when fishing. The design was light, with a safe and sharp ceramic blade.

After a successful appearance on the program "Shark Tank" offered some financial support to grow, Zahorski says he sold thousands of a ring version of the cutter in Academy stores.

The business relationship soured after Zahorski went back with a version that could be clipped to clothing.

He says Academy executives liked the idea, but never acted, until he says customers alerted him to a new

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