I would like to know who owns the patent for the zipper technology on
this coat http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=AQN2

I've seen the technology on Patagonia coats as well (H2O No).  Has
this technology been patented and by whom?  Is it duplicable, or is it
defensible and these companies will be paying licensing fees for long
to come?  Is there more than one similar technology, i.e. do coat
manufacturers have alternatives, or is their one patent holder with a
monopoly on this type of technology?