Smart Parts does it again...

[Will Wood]

http://forums.paintballcity.com/show...49#post2267725


I hope this is not true....Bunch of idiots there.

[Xerces]

wow, thats... special...

[yeahthatsme]

what was the icd thing about?

[cledford]

Anyone have legitimate validation of this? I've heard rumors for years that this might happen - but have heard nothing to date of an "official" nature. (I.e. Warpig report or other respected media type...)

If it is real what is the precise basis for the suit? I wonder how far reaching this might be - can anyone see the possibility of the RT coming back? If it applies to all electro markers this could turn ugly for the industry. I think this a great reason to BOYCOTT Smart Parts. I even own a shocker and 2 Max-Flos but would be willing to sell them to show my disappointment. They are doing huge harm to our emerging sport by pulling this now, if it's true, they obviously waited years until the field was ripe for the picking. Had they pressed this issue when it first started (With the release of the original Angel) the damage to the industry and other manufacturers would have been minimized. If this is true it appears to have been calculated to reap maximum financial gain - with no regard to the severe cost to the paintball world.

I heard a while back the Airgun didn't use a LCD on the Emag because WDP patented it and they'd made rumblings about suing anyone else who did. Keeping that in mind the serves them right in every respect that SP might sue them. On the other hand, the SP patent seems fairly broad - could this be the end for non SP electro markers?

Lets no speculate here to much, I'd like to hear from anyone who might have real facts - I'm still wondering if these suits aren't "urban legend."

-Calvin

[�.C.]

I don't know exactly whats going on in this case, details and all, but I certainly like smart parts products. . .

[Scootyd]

According to the way I read it, this only applies to stacked tube designs. It names the mechanical bolt and hammer or piston connection and the use of gas to return the bolt. It stinks that a patent is that open but thanks to Tom's out of the paradigm mentality our e-mags should be safe from suit.

I found this:

http://www.techlaw.com/services/litigation.cfm

[cledford]

Wow, that would seem to include AKA (viking and excal) and Timmy and Defiant. Possibly some electro cockers - race and Eclipse (unless sold as a kit)- but not center flag. What about the Kingman's?

I'm not sure of Matrix due it's weird design.

Interesting stuff...

-Calvin

[magman007]

hmm, so all blow back markers are doomed? why havnt they attacked the timmy yet???? this is bull crap....

[cledford]

It looks like Marger Johnson & McCollom is representing SP in the ICD matter.

This is from the website were they list their intellectual property cases:

*Smart Parts, Inc. v. Indian Creek Design, Inc. and Jerry Dobbins
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
Subject matter: Patent infringement suit relating to electronic control of paintball guns
Result: Pending


* = represented by Marger Johnson & McCollom

[Ultimator]

I've heard about this a few times before. I'd like to know where exactly Smart Parts would go from there? Remember if they do somehow take over all electro markers (very unlikely), we all have the power to boycott them ... aka mags for all :)

[nastymag]

well there goes my opinion of smart parts ....
no more nasty pulse for me ... i am going viking

[pbguy888]

Originally posted by Ultimator
I've heard about this a few times before. I'd like to know where exactly Smart Parts would go from there? Remember if they do somehow take over all electro markers (very unlikely), we all have the power to boycott them ... aka mags for all :)

Sounds like a plan to me!

[Kevmaster]

guys, lets NOT jump to conclusions(although i would LOVE one of those mats--yeh Office Space). we havnt seen anything offical from anyone(SP, Warpig, anywhere). im sure if this was the truth, someone will release a statement from SP within the next week. until then, we hae NO IDEA what is REALLY going on

[joeyjoe367]

Originally posted by kevmaster
guys, lets NOT jump to conclusions(although i would LOVE one of those mats--yeh Office Space).

LOL! haha, great movie :)

Back on topic, I think this is rediculous. If they REALLY wanted to put a patent on electronic guns in general, they'd have put out lawsuits LONG ago.

[hostage]

so they are sueing the over having a lcd on a pb gun? That is kind of stuiped. The guy who put the erasier and pencil together was denied a patent since he was putting to already invented objects together. How about putting a color CRT on the gun? :-)
-Hostage