Smart Parts Patent Will Destroy Paintball! - Read!

[phatpat47]

SP being a much larger company than any of these others, I dont think they COULD be bought, let alone would all these other companies WANT to buy them. Its a good idea just not very likely.

[TransMan]

While im not sure that SP is bigger than Kingman or BE i dont think they would sell anyways. If they are offered to be bought then they know they have won and will not let someone buy them out because if all this is true they stand to get a lot more money in the long run then they ever would by being bought out.

[phatpat47]

I seenoones gone to FoN, which would be a good place for all this to be posted.
so I did it :)

http://www.forceofnature.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=1847

[TecnoRobo]

IMO i think someone or a mod should take all the information we have on this situation and make a new thread on it. Only facts should be in the thread, and intelligent points/discussions.

Then we could start over and let other people, who dont want to go through 14 pages of info see whats going on.

Any off beat discussions, or I HATE SMARTPARTS comments could be deleted and we could update the thread when further information comes out. Just a thought...

Until then, This hurts me as a player, to see my sport struggle more then what it already needs to.

Tecno~

[Johnny_Reb]

p8ntballer.com had an article about the SP thing and needless to say PBN has somne threads on it.

EDIT:I think p8ntballer.com shouldnt have changed its look.

[50 cal]

I don't see how they could have possibly be granted a patent on this. There are way too many electronic devices with on/off switches. This could blow up in SP's faces.

[bryceeden]

I spent some time on the phone with smartparts, and yes this is definatly a bad deal it isn't as bad as this thread makes it sound. SP only plans on sueing WDP and ICD, so while it will greatly affect Angels and Bushmasters it won't realy change anything else too much. In the end AGD and WGP won't even be afected unless smartparts is lying to thier distributers.

[jinxed]

I was just reading through the infamous "Navy Patent".

For those that have not read through the last 13 pages, there is a patent from 1971, for an electropneumatic paintball gun. It has a built-in ACE, and force-feed hopper.
It was designed to shoot paintballs for use in wargames.

Pretty Cool.

Well its mentioned in the Smart Parts Shocker AND Impulse patent.

Hmmmm...What does that mean?
Smart Parts clearly references an earlier electropneumatic paintball gun in there own patent.

Am I crazy, or does this clearly invalidate there claim?
UNLESS... they bought the rights to that Navy patent?

If they DID, then they may actually have a great chance of winning a court case since that navy patent would clearly predate any early-90s electro?

Interesting....

nick brassard

[BTAutoMag]

can you say:

BLOW SMART PARTS OUT OF THE CIRCLE ONLINE AO PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and

EMAIL BOMB!!!!

[adam shannon]

most likely thas their short term plan...the ugly truth is that they will use that case to set a precident then persue everybody else with case law to back their expanded claim up.

why else would other manufacturers take this "very seriously" if they werent next on the list, and saw the big picture of what sp was doing.

their statement may be true as of now...but not tipping their hand on their plans for future world domination. next thing you know austria wont be enough and they will want chekoslovakia also.

[Crimson_Turkey]

Originally posted by thecavemankevin
industry will have to make S.P. and offer the can't refuse..??

I'll get my muscle and tell Vito. You work on the coppers.

I distributed calm, well worded, buisness like flyers to local pro shops and fields. I'm hopin this will get the word out. I'm also going to start a web petition. When does it hit the courts?

[pbzmag]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't patents have a lifespan of around 15 years?

[p8ntball72]

I may have missed it, but is this the patent number?
6,474,326

[Kellen_p8nt]

okie dokie folks. Its time to My debating asses 2 cents on this(yes i was a debate team captain)

OK first. I dunno who said it but patents do have a lifespan and I think that Navy 1971 patent is prolly dead. HOWEVER, what tends to happen in regard to patents outdating, is a marginal update in what has been patented and creating a new patent on a slightly diffrent product.

CASE AND POINT. designer drugs for allergies and such seem to change names every time you turn around. Well thats because when the patent runs out generic drugs are on the market and they need the NEW patent.

(I THINK thats right)

2nd thing I dont know HOW the hell this thing is going to stand up in a court of law, and if someone fights it how SMART PARTS or the defendant can afford something as messy as this.

3rd. I like the idea of a coalition of companies buying out smart parts, however "buying out" in the general sense of the term. would be impossible. BUt there are other ways to buy out a company that does not require an actual offer to be made or accepted.NOw I doubt SP has stock so buying them out stock wise would be impossible, however if it were possible yopu could A. take over B. control the board(if they have one which I doubt)

SO we cant buy them.

We currently can't stop this patents approval by court.(the lack of knowledge about our sport hurts us here)

What can we do. While someone elses patent cannot be "used"(without permission) Im pretty sure the file or document is publicly accesable. Someone needs to read SMart Parts actual Patent. If Smart Part details the inner workings of an electroneaumatic marker to any reasonable degree then it could be advantagious( simply change whatever that minor detail is.)

There is one time. SP cannot sue anyone at the moment(dont think) because of ex post facto(i think). They could claim that since its an alteration of an older patent that they can sue for royalties, but I think they know they'd lose or its gonna cost a hole hell of alot.

So they cant sue (I dont think) or demand royalties if the gun was designed BEFORE thedate of the alteration in the patent( im prolly wrong)

OK I admit im 18 and dont know alot of law but this is what I think is right take it with a couple grains of salt.

[jinxed]

paintball.com which is not know for accuracy.

So, if SP is NOT suing ICD for using electronics, then why is AKA, WAS, AGD, PTP, and everyone saying they are?
They seem to contradict themselves later on by complaining that people ARE ripping them off.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't patents have a lifespan of around 15 years?

Hmmm... So the Navy Patent would have DEFINETLY expired.
What does that mean?
My guess is that it automatically becomes PUBLIC-DOMAIN, and can't be re-patented?

Nick Brassard