Tom.. You need to save the paintball industry! Your our only hope!!

[bryceeden]

SP says they are only going after ICD and WDP, so while still bad it isn't that big of a deal. Here is the info strait from SP to my boss.

WPPL Members and Friends,
I just got off the phone with Bill Gardner, Sr. the president of Smart Parts. He was very open about the patent issue.
They are pursuding two specific manufacturers for patent violations ICD and now a part of the WDP design (Angels).
The patent is not as broad as is being reported.
Bill said most of the information in the quotes are GROSS exaggerationions !!! In fact Bill was with Bud Orr last week and there was no discussion of the nature that is attributed to Bud in the quotes. Bill doubts thier accuracy.
Bill also explained that Patent law is very complex and they are only trying to enforce some specific designs that they feel are express violations of thier Patents. They are not attacking the E-Marker industry. No one can say with accuracy how this will resolve, but for now it only involves two companies and even if they win the patent it will only force the companies to change thier designs.
I dont like to perpetuate mis information that is why I called Smart Parts Directly, to get real information. Smart Parts is preparing a Press Release regarding the patent issue, I will forward that information to anyone interested when it arrives.

[Bo-Bo]

I agree with Bryce. SP isn't really a big deal to most paintball industries. Although, I do like the burning idea

[Benfica4ever]

What sp is doing is just going to kill paintball. It will become even more expensive over time seeing as how they want 75 or somthin for each product that resembles theirs. i could be wrong so dont flame me for it.

[845]

These threads are getting old. If I keep seeing them I think I will buy a 2k3 Shocker just to be rebellious.

[Mega Man]

I also agree these threads are getting old. but since I havent expressed my feelings on the matter I'll do it here lol. Smart Parts is NOT going to kill paintball as we know it, if the patent is enforced and goes through with it is will effect us but not in a large of scale as you may think. The statement that Bryce made sounds to me, to be very true. Also I think all this anti-smartparts and I hate smart parts stuff is stupid. I dislike the action they are taking with the patent enforcment but besides that I like Smart Parts very much, infact they are one of my favorite companies. I've owned an Evolution, Max-Flo, an Impulse, and a Smart Parts jersey and find all their products to be great. Lol I remember when AO first caught wind of the new shocker and nerve and despite a few dislikers most of AO seemed to drool over them, now they are sporting Nazi Smart Parts and and smart parts logos in their sigs, making sites, clubs, and far to many threads about it all. Just my 2 cents.

[Automaggin2]

Originally posted by Digits
The only person he'd even have to inforce the patent on would be smart parts..

And even if they do get what they deserve.. What happens when ICD goes out of buisness? It's not like they'll just bounce back because smart parts is finally done with there cap..

And whos to say SP wont come after AGD.. I'd say atleast patent the tanks and keep it on the downlow.. Then if smartparts tries to pull a biotch move, you can retaliate.

I dunno, I just think it's stupid to sit back and watch companies deteriorate.

ICD and Smart Parts have hated each other for years. They have been in legal battles in the past. They have a history of it. It's not going to stop.

[Digits]

Why can't they all just get along

[madmatt151]

Also sick...

I too am sick of these threads, but haven't expressed my opinion either. ow can you people get mad for a company trying to enforce a patent it legally attained. They may nothave been the origianl electronic marker, but apparently were the first to patent it. This shows foresight and interest in something. As far as I am concerned, if any of the other companies who weremaking electro guns did not patent them or try to, they didn't have a serious interest. SMart parts didn't patent them last year, it did quite a while ago. This was truly when they had the major available electro marker out. It always struck me funny when I saw the NAgel come out and thethen slew of other electros. I always wondered if there was a patent or not. It is just not fair to make a product that is like someone elses, especially if there is a patent. Imagine if you will if someone made a mag clone. People here would be up in arms. You guys must take a chill pill, wait for oficial statements and court rulings and then see who is right, wrong and being unfair. Enforcing a legally attained patent is not wrong. These companies are in business to make money. That money they make finances them to further research and develop new ideas etc. Do you really think car amnufacturers and building better cars to "better the industry"?? No way, its to make money. My $.02, sorry.

[manike]

Originally posted by Crimson_Turkey
"And man turned to pig and pig to man"

George Orwell, Animal Farm

An excellent book. I see that happening in the UK right now

Originally posted by madmatt151
how can you people get mad for a company trying to enforce a patent it legally attained. ....... Enforcing a legally attained patent is not wrong.

I agree completely. I believe in the concept of the patent system and the rights to intellectual property, IF you were the first, and IF it was legally obtained.

I don't personally believe that was the case here.

If I thought it was the case I would be championing SP's side in this.

[Frontline Newbie]

You can't patent a tank, and chances are that smart parts patent won't pass either, and even if it did, there are always ways around patents. I hear about crazy patents and lawsuit that never pass all the time. Remember when ninendo tried to stop producton playstation 1 and 2 and all playstation games, and then move all playstation games over to gamecube by saying that it was somehow a "modified supernintendo"?

[gamarada717]

But hasn't the electronic switch been out for over a year?

[DiRTyBuNNy]

well..if Tom can't do anything...why don't we call Obi-Wan...he was Princess Leia's only hope too...

[adam shannon]

Originally posted by gamarada717
But hasn't the electronic switch been out for over a year?

yes, but they filed a patent years ago when the shocker/impulse was released and have just recently applied and been granted an extention to the patent to cover the switch. its the patent was of sneaking something in the back door. they have also been in court on the patent for years so everything was on file on time...its just now coming to court.

[MarkM]

Re: Also sick...

Originally posted by madmatt151
I too am sick of these threads, but haven't expressed my opinion either. ow can you people get mad for a company trying to enforce a patent it legally attained. They may nothave been the origianl electronic marker, but apparently were the first to patent it. This shows foresight and interest in something. As far as I am concerned, if any of the other companies who weremaking electro guns did not patent them or try to, they didn't have a serious interest. SMart parts didn't patent them last year, it did quite a while ago. This was truly when they had the major available electro marker out. It always struck me funny when I saw the NAgel come out and thethen slew of other electros. I always wondered if there was a patent or not. It is just not fair to make a product that is like someone elses, especially if there is a patent. Imagine if you will if someone made a mag clone. People here would be up in arms. You guys must take a chill pill, wait for oficial statements and court rulings and then see who is right, wrong and being unfair. Enforcing a legally attained patent is not wrong. These companies are in business to make money. That money they make finances them to further research and develop new ideas etc. Do you really think car amnufacturers and building better cars to "better the industry"?? No way, its to make money. My $.02, sorry.

Mag Clones have already existed and from what I recall as long as a certain percentage of the design was different you were free and clear.
To other posts in this thread think now if what will happen IF all the companys start to patent everything...nothing will change other than the share of the pie (in retail terms for the product) thats all. If however the paintball companys DON'T patent the ideas they come up with, then individuals NOT connected with paintball will then patent those ideas and sit back and wait until there are lots of the product being made then they will nail them (paintball companys)and retire to the Bahamas...only an extension of the many get rich quick schemes available online...the other favourite being registering a domain name and then waiting for the original company to buy it off you, ok this is being over turned with alarming regularity now but a lot of people DID make money off the major companys when they had no "real" right to in the first place.

[Animal Mother]

Two wrongs don't make a right, it makes revenge.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.