Whats up at PFO?

[naesco]

I am sure that patents work in the US the same as Canada and elsewhere.

1. The inventor comes up with an idea (his idea) and applies for a patent.
2. Another inventor comes up with the same idea and attempts to patent it but can't because there is already a patent.

It appears to me that it would be reasonable to conclude that PFO would have done a patent search or should have before proceeding.

The second inventor can 'attack' the patent as being worthless as it is already in the public domain.

PFO may not have done that but it is still open to them to do so in the suit commenced by the patent holder.

IMO as there is not enough money involved this case will settle with the result being that any additional cost will simply be added on the hobbyist's purchase price.

Gresham, relax, eat a donut or do some deep breathing exercises or something.

Wayne Ryan

 

[Anonymous]

I am sure that patents work in the US the same as Canada and elsewhere.

1. The inventor comes up with an idea (his idea) and applies for a patent.
2. Another inventor comes up with the same idea and attempts to patent it but can't because there is already a patent.

It appears to me that it would be reasonable to conclude that PFO would have done a patent search or should have before proceeding.

The second inventor can 'attack' the patent as being worthless as it is already in the public domain.

PFO may not have done that but it is still open to them to do so in the suit commenced by the patent holder.

IMO as there is not enough money involved this case will settle with the result being that any additional cost will simply be added on the hobbyist's purchase price.

Gresham, relax, eat a donut or do some deep breathing exercises or something.

Wayne Ryan

Orbitech patented an idea - using LED lighting over an Aquarium.
odds are PFO did a patent search for an LED lighting assembly, but not for the idea to use said assembly over an Aquarium

I can find DIY references dating back to 2002 on THIS forum, prior to Orbitech's patent filing.
this link is for a thread dated 2002, and it has links dated to 2001.
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... hlight=led

 

[Anonymous]

I am sure that patents work in the US the same as Canada and elsewhere.

1. The inventor comes up with an idea (his idea) and applies for a patent.
2. Another inventor comes up with the same idea and attempts to patent it but can't because there is already a patent.

It appears to me that it would be reasonable to conclude that PFO would have done a patent search or should have before proceeding.

The second inventor can 'attack' the patent as being worthless as it is already in the public domain.

PFO may not have done that but it is still open to them to do so in the suit commenced by the patent holder.

IMO as there is not enough money involved this case will settle with the result being that any additional cost will simply be added on the hobbyist's purchase price.

Gresham, relax, eat a donut or do some deep breathing exercises or something.

Wayne Ryan

Orbitech patented an idea - using LED lighting over an Aquarium.
odds are PFO did a patent search for an LED lighting assembly, but not for the idea to use said assembly over an Aquarium

I can find DIY references dating back to 2002 on THIS forum, prior to Orbitech's patent filing.
this link is for a thread dated 2002, and it has links dated to 2001.
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... hlight=led

There are people that sold DIY LED's for use over an aquarium prior to them filing the patent. I would say this was in the public domain.

This is a case of the Patent office allowing a patent without doing any research on it other than looking for existing patents.

 

[spawner]

This is a case of the Patent office allowing a patent without doing any research on it other than looking for existing patents.

Someone patented the use of saline ground water for rearing marine fish in the southwest.

Someone patented the use of a copepod species for rearing marine fish larvae.


I'd wonder when they do research, I think its a volume and fee game and they let the lawyers figure it out.

 

[kgross]

The patent office does not do much research before issuing a patent unluckly. So you can patent just about anything.

Kim

 

[PeterIMA]

Herbert Axelrod patented the idea of shipping tropical fish in plastic bags placed in styrofoam boxes inside a cardboard box. I doubt that many
(any?) people who use this method of shipping are paying royalties to Axelrod.

Peter

 

[Anonymous]

Herbert Axelrod patented the idea of shipping tropical fish in plastic bags placed in styrofoam boxes inside a cardboard box. I doubt that many
(any?) people who use this method of shipping are paying royalties to Axelrod.

Peter

You hear that wayne...you can shut down the industry by buying the patent from Herbert.

 

[dizzy]

It's not likley snailman. Even if Axelrod had chosen to defend the patent, it would only last for 20-years and I know they have been shipping fish in plastic bags in styros for at least 24 years.

 

[Anonymous]

Gresham, relax, eat a donut or do some deep breathing exercises or something.

Wayne Ryan

Dude F*ck off. You know how offensive that is? Why don't you go play in the street?

Did I not answer your PM asking me how to code a quote on this forum even though after 8 years you still have not noticed the code when you post? Try opening your eyes, you MIGHT see something. 8O

 

[Anonymous]

It's not likley snailman. Even if Axelrod had chosen to defend the patent, it would only last for 20-years and I know they have been shipping fish in plastic bags in styros for at least 24 years.

And, didn't Mr. Axelrod get into some sort of tax evasion trouble some years ago? I thought he left the country or something like that because of it. Can't exactly enforce your patent if you're a wanted man. :lol: :|

 

[JennM]

Gresh - don't let him get the better of you - it's not worth it.

He drinks the Kool-Aid.

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

Gresh and Wyane -

Stop sniping please.

 

[Anonymous]

More then willing I even played nice and told him how to do something when he PM's but then he had to go and post that garbage. Tell me to go eat a donut (used internationally as a put down on Americans) after me helping you justly gets you a F>ck off in my book

 

[Anonymous]

It's not likley snailman. Even if Axelrod had chosen to defend the patent, it would only last for 20-years and I know they have been shipping fish in plastic bags in styros for at least 24 years.

And, didn't Mr. Axelrod get into some sort of tax evasion trouble some years ago? I thought he left the country or something like that because of it. Can't exactly enforce your patent if you're a wanted man. :lol: :|

He was caught IIRC. Fake violins sold for way to much, or real sold way to cheap? I forget

 

[Anonymous]

More then willing I even played nice and told him how to do something when he PM's but then he had to go and post that garbage. Tell me to go eat a donut (used internationally as a put down on Americans) after me helping you justly gets you a F>ck off in my book

All I saw in Canada was people eatings donuts at Tim Hortons....shrug...

 

[naesco]

More then willing I even played nice and told him how to do something when he PM's but then he had to go and post that garbage. Tell me to go eat a donut (used internationally as a put down on Americans) after me helping you justly gets you a F>ck off in my book

Thank you for the PM Gresham.
I did not know the international meaning of eating a donut. I appeared you were uptight so I was merely asking you to relax by having a coffee and donut at Tim Hoton's which is the Canadian thing to do.

 

[swsaltwater]

Seems the rumor is that PFO laid off all workers including Pat. This can't be good. They are rumored to have already spent 6 figures working on the suit. Other lighting companies have decided to stay idle and see what happens instead of helping. Patent is for LED use over a aquarium for growth. This should not have been awarded in 2004 since I saw LEDs over tanks much earlier.

 

[Anonymous]

How can Pat lay himself off? Owner laying himself off = out of business

 

[JennM]

I just saw this posted on a local forum, by an employee at an area LFS:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/s ... hp?t=24927

Headline is that PFO is out of business (the post is to advertise the one LED fixture they have left).



Jenn

 

[spawner]

Seems the rumor is that PFO laid off all workers including Pat. This can't be good. They are rumored to have already spent 6 figures working on the suit. Other lighting companies have decided to stay idle and see what happens instead of helping. Patent is for LED use over a aquarium for growth. This should not have been awarded in 2004 since I saw LEDs over tanks much earlier.

I think you have to read the patent a bit more in depth. over a tank for growth is one of the claims. Another is a claim to customize the color spectrum. There are several other claims as well.

This really stinks for anyone with a reef tank. I just hope they have the cash to muscle through it. The plaintiff requested it to go to a jury. From my observations many of these cases are more about staying power than about justice.