SP is at it again :rolleyes:

[Hilltop Customs]

If they were doing this to sell guns in other countries why bother with a US patent? Our patents are not valid in other countries.

Its not adding up...

AGD

but couldnt SP use a US patent to limit the production of single UPC kits by other US based companies. Since other US based companies can no longer produce these "kits"....SP are effectively the only company who could sell to the countries with strict firearms laws.

[Empyreal Rogue]

but couldnt SP use a US patent to limit the production of single UPC kits by other US based companies. Since other US based companies can no longer produce these "kits"....SP are effectively the only company who could sell to the countries with strict firearms laws.

I think what Tom is saying is that our US patents don't apply to other countries. Take our AO'ers in Germany for example. I'm not completely clear on the exact wording, but from my understanding paintball markers cannot be shipped into the country under any circumstances. Which is why when you ship parts to Germany they have to be labeled as sporting goods. However, even in the form of an unassembled kit they still cannot ship a "kit" into Germany. So even if SP has a patent for unassembled kits it does no good overseas. That's why MacDev and WDP were completely unaffected by SP patenting the electronic frame, which is why Cyborgs are still being produced at good prices.

But I do see what you're saying about how it limits what companies within the united states. But really, how many companies are selling their markers unassembled anyway? Maybe SP did this in order to prevent companies from being sneaky by manufacturing an electronic framed marker, but selling it completely unassembled so it doesn't violate that patent. Which would be an interesting move, but I don't know that the Gardner's are that witty. Or I could be wrong about that, it has been a while since I read the electronic frame patent.

[warbeak2099]

Look at the claims. This patent covers electronic frames sold separately from the gun.

[Empyreal Rogue]

Look at the claims. This patent covers electronic frames sold separately from the gun.

My theory meant completely unassembled electronic frames. That is, a completely bare frame with all the necessary parts included. Again I could still be completely wrong, but it would make for an interesting theory.

[skife]

does anyone remember the EVIL pIMP?

it was a "kit" gun, came with everything but the `noid.

wich you had to order from smartparts, it was a clone of the Impulse

[SR_matt]

wow even though it is legally possible i would bet most lawyers would go "you want to do what?" "ya right, im not wasting my time"

i really wonder how greedy people have to be to even waste their time thinking of what they can patent next. i guess i need to trademark breathing so everyone will have to pay me for being a live, then maybe i should trademark peeing and then i can just stand out side a bar for an hour and have enough cash to last a month.

there really needs to be a way that the legal system can dissolve a company or basically take everything away form an individual for having to many frivolous lawsuits. one day SP will come in contact with a judge that will just look at them, tell who ever is fighting SP's patent rampage that he suggests they counter sue for full ownership of the company and then rule in favor of them just so SP will crash and burn.

now if they were patenting the material and manner used to sell the kit ok, i could see that since most packaging you touch everyday is proprietary plastics and technology (i have a friend that woks in the plastics field and wow, that stuff is complicated for just a steamer pack of veggies, or a peal top)

-matt

[ThePixelGuru]

My theory meant completely unassembled electronic frames. That is, a completely bare frame with all the necessary parts included. Again I could still be completely wrong, but it would make for an interesting theory.

It appears to me that as long as the frame "kit" comprises a plurality of parts it would be covered under this patent. Note that they say "The paintball gun kit can include, for example, a body, a grip, and a pneumatic assembly." Doesn't have to be a whole marker, just a plurality of marker parts. So if you want to sell an E-Blade and include that 3-way... crap, you're sued. Or sell a Hyperframe and include an on/off, you're sued. Or, theoretically, if you sell an electronic frame and include a battery, you're sued. Bottom line here is that this patent covers selling a package of more than one part for the same marker.

If they were doing this to sell guns in other countries why bother with a US patent? Our patents are not valid in other countries.

Its not adding up...

AGD

Keep in mind these are the same brothers who insist they patented all this crap to keep the Chinese from stealing their designs, even though none of those patents apply in China and SP gave them the blueprints when they opened factories there. When the Gardner brothers are involved, it rarely adds up.

[Tao]

I doubt this will hold up since they reinvented "packaging"

"Reduction in labor costs by removing assembly from the manufacturing process allows the gun kit to be sold to consumers for a lower price than the fully-constructed marker. The paintball gun kits could be sold in partially assembled or completely disassembled forms. The paintball gun kits could further be sold in many different configurations, with different upgrade options, body styles, material components, etc., in order to meet the desires and price ranges of a wider variety of consumers."

This sounds like the marketing function of packaging to me.

[devildog]

am i the only one that still likes smart parts?

[Ninjeff]

am i the only one that still likes smart parts?

probably.

[Hilltop Customs]

am i the only one that still likes smart parts?

You better watch your back around these parts.....













lol just playin with ya......SP is just a business, they are in it for the money....and they are taking every means to that make money they can. Some people may have some integrity while trying to make money.....but thats not SP. Its ok though, no one will have to feel bad for SP when some other undrecutting company comes and knocks them off their game.