A while back, S&W - TC alleged a number of patent infringements with the International Trade Commission in a complaint against a host of companies including Traditions and CVA and the Spanish manufacturers of their guns. The patents appear to cover making a QLA muzzle alignment system and a removable breech plug among others.
Here's the article about the complaint:
It has now been announced that Traditions and Ardesa has made a settlement with S&W - TC indicating they have been properly licensed to use the patents. This is good news for S&W - TC and a victory for a U.S. company that had patent protections!