Unfounded rumor?

[MicroB]

In a nutshell...

In essence SP wiped out all electronic gun manufactures unless they paid a royalty ($$$$$$). To produce electronic markers some paid but most businesses including AGD did not pay SP and chose to stop producing PB markers. Their patent which they filed showed electronic sear activation and some historical point which encompassed all electro markers at the time. In essence SP brought the PB industry to its knees. Gone were the X-mag, AKA markers, and the like of smaller higher quality production markers. This left SP basically in control of the whole PB industry and in many ways killed all that was enjoyable about playing. Its one of the factors that kept me from the sport until recently.

THAT IS WHY THE HATE FOR SP AND THE HOPE THAT THEIR GREED IS THEIR UNDOING!!!!

[robo1]

Smart parts basically ruined the sport by filing those patents. They killed several companies, some like AGD used an american work force not taiwanese. They killed innovation with their wreckless patent filing. I personally knew they were trouble when they trademarked a certain word that was a popular term back then. :Pwned.

[afortuna]

It seemed like most of this thread I was reading about the Gardners thinking they had unilingual men from Central America making decisions.

[Newt]

They would become orphaned patents at that point. Technically they are still in effect (until the end of their current 5 year period), but the intellectual property world is still the Wild West. The marshall comes to town sometimes, but if you can't defend your own, it ain't yours for long.

Keep in mind that even if they go down, the patents are still valid and in effect.

[Frizzle Fry]

They will be eating them for years and years.....

Or stacking them up and welding them together to keep a roof over their heads

[TeaQue]

Wow. I'm definately going to try to sell my SP1 now

[doc_Zox]

http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/851005.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7603997.html

[Frizzle Fry]

http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/851005.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7603997.html

How can they do that? First of all that's FAR too vague to patent, and second, it covers a patent that was already issued (a more specific patent) which was slated "die" in 2015 allowing anyone to use it. I wonder if we (AO collectively) can stir up enough trouble to end these idiots, or at least their BS patents.

[punkncat]

In a discussion with an individual that is most certainly "in the know", thier impression was that nothing else is going on there aside from selling off stock.

I would suggest that if you need any soft parts for your SP markers of any make that you get them now......

[MicroB]

In a discussion with an individual that is most certainly "in the know", thier impression was that nothing else is going on there aside from selling off stock.

I would suggest that if you need any soft parts for your SP markers of any make that you get them now......

[PaintballEngineer]

info from A Buffalo news story. http://www.buffalonews.com/145/story/851005.html


...And don't get the idea that I live there, 'cause I dont

[doc_Zox]

uh yip, see above

I goggled that out yesterday while hunting for gardner data

[Smokeage]

True. But shame on them for even working for a company that is as hated as it is. I know for damn sure that I wouldnt go work for a company that I had a moral dispute with. There are plenty of other jobs. And if you work in a state thats wee-tod-did (California, New York, etc.) then move to a better state. Like Texas where we actually use sound economic policies so that we arent as affected by the recession as other states.

It sucks that a bunch of Americans had to lose there jobs. but if your going to work for a company thats unliked and uses really bad practices then they should have seen it coming or at least had a contigency plan. And before anyone says it this isnt like going to work for wal-mart. SP fills a niche in the a luxury sport, if they went under they would quickly be replaced and somehow I doubt any of the paintball community would shed a tear.

[SSP-SheiK]

Who are the Gardner's, Rick Italia, and Spurrlock? Just asking

The gardners own SP (die...) and richmond italia is the pres of pro-caps and created x-ball (die..)

not sure who spurrlock is though



honestly i could care less about Fart Smarts being in business.. anyone who asks me about "if i should get this gun" i happily inform them other wise and give them several other recomendations starting with AGD

[rabidchihauhau]

what I have heard on the rumour mill is that Italia owns 90% of SP now - which if one follows this (potentially incorrect) information, means that SP were probably bailed out of their troubles by Richmond in exchange for 90% of everything, which then probably means that the SP folks own 10% of GI MIlsim.

All speculation, but tending to jive with other rumours.

On another note, a two parter concerning 50 caliber paintballs has gone up on http://68caliber.com/?p=5264