Paintballers organizing against Smart Parts

[billmi]

Originally posted by Patron God of Pirates

If they do enforce this patent accross the board, wont they be in violation of anti-trust laws?

I really, really, really, doubt it.

Anti-trust laws were developed to break monopolies of companies who had total control of public resources - specifically railroads that had tied up the rights-of way. Yes, they owned the rails, but in essence it was public land (right of ways granted in the public interest) over which they had sole control. The same goes for the phone and power monopolies - because they used what belonged to the public to provide their services.

Designing technology and patenting it doesn't involve the government granting a right of way to something public. The anti-trust laws were stretched and applied to something entirely different than what they were designed for in the Microsoft case - where the government had concerns because it had willingly become very dependent upon a single product vendor. You're not going to see something like that in paintball.

Many, if not most monopolies are legal. AGD, for example has the monopoly on producing Automags. That's completely legal, and in my opinion, as it should be.

See you on the field,
-Bill Mills

[SirTim]

Good stuff. I am in.

[OysterBoy]

Well realize this (on the anti-smart part side of argument);

Its not just AKA and ICD that are losing money, but think of the companies that ONLY produce accesories? removing 90% of the market (eventual) effectively ruins these guys. Its way past marker making companies, this affect all paintball(ers).

[chizle97]

Originally posted by Patron God of Pirates
Outside of a boycot, what legally can be done?

The old "glue everything in the house to the celling" trick?

[edweird]

protest them at events :P

then event organizers will not invite them as it causes a ruckus

then Automags.org takes over the space the Smartparts compund is normally occupying and has a cookout

[laxkid]

didnt boblong sign a contract and dye to pay those fees for every gun they sell they might want some action at sp if wdp joined in maybe bob and dye would too

and edwierd has a great idea about at tournaments

[billmi]

National (Intimidator) and DYE have worked out license arrangements with SP, so it would probably be counter-productive for them to join in a lawsuit. The fact that they entered in an agreement could be used against them to show that they think the patent has merit.

I suppose you could protest them at tournaments - but the largest tournaments where they have their trailers are the PSP, and they are part owners of the PSP, so I don't think they'll kick themselves out.

[teufelhunden]

Originally posted by Butterfingers

If I can quote Glenn Palmer

"Greed= Bad JUJU"

Without greed, this country would be nowhere. Greed is good.

[GTakacs]

Originally posted by teufelhunden


Without greed, this country would be nowhere. Greed is good.

I thought greed is one of the seven deadly sins....

[Butterfingers]

Theres a diffrence between greed and ambition.

Only when you discover the diffrence for yourself will you understand...

[goat]

You can bet your last dime I'll be wearing an anti smart parts pin at Ultimate Madness.......Might be able to get some stickers as well........I dont care if they are a sponsor what they are doing is wrong.
Goat

[FreakBaller12]

come on everybody sign up!, 11 people isn't enough, more have posted in this thread!
come on you guys.

[ClassicMagger]

Hey:

Count me in. Already a member. Whatever can be done. Should be. I have a Jersey that is being printed up this week. That explains why Smart Parts is in the wrong in this situation to me. I hope to persuade all that can be with it. At ALL events.

ClassicMagger

[Rather]

You know what I want?

I want someone to kidnap a Gardner. Then, treating him nicely (at first )...ask him WTF IS YOUR PROBLEM?

Depending on what he answers, legal mumbo jumbo aside. Beat him or drug him and leave him bare and handcuffed at his own home doorsteps.

If he says that he wants to own the world and because hes being greedy for money (typical american citizen ) snuff him.

If he has some long explinationf or the "betterment of paintball" then you do the latter of above mentioned on what to do to him.

[personman]

Originally posted by edweird
protest them at events :P

then event organizers will not invite them as it causes a ruckus

then Automags.org takes over the space the Smartparts compund is normally occupying and has a cookout

Haha that is such a good idea.
At the next big event, find out which booth SP is occupying. Then, before they can get there, set up a giant BBQ and SP nazi signs, and then burn the SP nazi signs into the BBQ buns with a brander or something