Yeah, Swiftech wasn't copying Asetek at all.
Reality is in this case patent was detrimental to development of better AiOs because Asetek didn't need to develop better AiO.
I think patent rights allowed too broad a design concept in Asetek AiO patent, thus any design concept even remotely similar might be included in their patent. Combined with Asetek aggressively filing suit against every AiO competitor with even remote similar design forced many companies to remove their AiOs from market because litigation costs to prove they weren't infringing on patent would have been too expensive.
End result was Asetek didn't need to develop better AIOs to beat competition, so we had little to no improvement real improvement other than cosmetics.
Not just Asetek's fault. Patent law creates monopoly, which means little to no improvement until patent expires.
Now that patent off I'm hoping we will see some real improvement in AiO component quality (especially pumps), hopefully threaded fittings / quick connects and fill port and even small reservoir.
What tamzzy said.
Thermalright is king of the hill again. They make good products performing as well or better than competition for prices 1/2 or less of competition's prices. Makes them hard to beat.