I could post a lot of links, there’s plenty out there. Just google the Topic Subject words. Seems a bit of a shame, but we’ll see how things pan out.
Amazing to me that such a generalized patent as this one could ever be awarded. From my read on the patent, it would appear that every company that manufatures a fixture that incorporates moonlights could be in jeopardy, as well.
Ive been reading about this for the last couple of weeks. PFO, the target of litigation, is unofficially out of buisness. Their website went down over a week ago, and their merchandise is being pulled from the shelves. Its pretty much a text book definition of capitalism gone wrong. Corporate greed, you gotta love it!
Seems that way.
I got ahold of the Orbitec patent. Talk about general … kind of like Monsanto trying to patent pig genes.
I’m trying to figure out how to conceal my “moonlight” leds before the LED cops show up.
I’ve attached the patent, in case anyone wants to see it.
I love the Orbitec Statement:
[hr]
LED AQUARIUM LIGHTING STATEMENT
February 4, 2009
Orbital Technologies Corporation, a small business with 70 employees located in Madison, Wisconsin, has recently been the target of inaccurate, negative publicity regarding its patent for a Marine LED Lighting System and Method.
As ORBITEC’s president, I am an avid aquarium enthusiast. Back in 2003, the company combined my new-found passion for aquariums with our decade-long experience in LED lighting systems for plant growth, science research, underwater bioreactors and aerospace applications to create a new design for a complete LED system for marine environments. Working together with aquarium industry partners, our engineering team began developing high-quality, effective LED lighting systems for small and large marine applications, including aquariums.
ORBITEC’s ability to launch its product line was delayed due to internal resource limitations and a challenge to its intellectual property. We take our intellectual property rights very seriously, and expect others to do so as well. We look forward, however, to working together with our aquarium partners to release a growing series of reliable, exciting products later this year. My excitement is most felt at home, when I experience the benefits of these units in my own aquarium systems.
We continually welcome any comments or input that you may have regarding these products and future capabilities and you are welcome to email us at aquarium.lighting@orbitec.com.
Most Sincerely,
Tom Crabb, President
[hr]
Yea we were talking to Rich about this a little bit at Armco. Sucks. Look how much Planet LLC is doing with it…yay [/sarcasm]. If you don’t have the resources to make it lease the f-ing technology or something christ. Way to stiffle the market and loose potential customers.
I didn’t want to say anything but i have a patent on fragging corals
[quote=“armco, post:6, topic:1199”]
I didn’t want to say anything but i have a patent on fragging corals[/quote]
lmao
I hope some DIY instructions come out so I can infringe on their patent and can’t wait until the chinese knockoffs start pumping them out.
[quote=“IanH, post:5, topic:1199”]
If you don’t have the resources to make it lease the f-ing technology or something christ. Way to stiffle the market and loose potential customers.[/quote]
Interesting that you should bring up stifling the market. That was exactly the word used by Marty Anne Gustafson … see the next to the last paragraph.
Dear Ted,Thank you very much for your email. We have a product line of three different LED products coming out through a partner later this year. These products will range from lower cost LED systems for fish tanks to higher-end systems described in our patent (similar to the Apollo lights we developed, prototyped, and tested in-house since 2003). Our partner will be handling product launch, so at this time I am unfortunately restricted from providing details.
You are correct in that the Sunbow Science Lamp, Sunbow 2-panel systems, and Sunbow Custom LED Systems are not at all applicable to aquarium lighting, and our products will reflect those differences. We do however have a great deal of expertise in LED design and LED operation in harsh environments (included submersible lighting, high-humidity/wet applications, and space environments) that will carry over into reliable, high quality product.
Our goal is to continue to work together with the marketplace to expand LED applications. Our patent is just one of several pending or granted for LEDs in aquarium applications, so we do not see ourselves as an agent to stifle new development.
If you have any other specific questions, please feel free to contact me.
Marty
Marty Anne Gustafson
Manager, Commercial Products
PLANET LLC / ORBITEC
1212 Fourier Drive
Madison, WI 53717Phone: 608-229-2787
Fax: 608-827-5050
Email: gustafsonm@orbitec.com
www.planet-llc.com
www.orbitec.com
As for DIY instructions, there’s plenty out there.
Sometimes it’s hard to ‘see’ your self for what you really are…
Didn’t read over the patents as I am too sleepy right now to make sense of them, but patents usually are vague. I have limited experience with them. First as part of senior design project in college we had to provide the company we were working with drawings they could use if they decided to patent the machine we made or the process our machine did. THen had to take a class about them at work. The more detail that is in the patent the easier it is for someone (or company) just to change a little detail and then your patent no longer applies (sort of, as with everything there are exceptions and someone can always take it to court and drive you out of business in the process even if you were not breaking the law).
Again not saying I agree with any of the actions but patents are vague for a reason. And as long as you can prove you came up with the idea around the same time as the company that holds the patent did you have some protection.
I know way to much about useless crap. :GEEK:
Don’t patents only last a little while until generally accepted as old technology? Or something of that sort?
The time has to due with if the patent holder is willing to renew the patent. Costs money. If you decide its “old” tech no need to pay to renew. Can’t remember the time or all the details about what can/can’t be renewed and for how long.
You can get like 20 year patents
[quote=“MiniMomma, post:10, topic:1199”]
I know way to much about useless crap. :GEEK:[/quote]
I will just add that you can get a patent for a “different” item if you can show that 25% of the original has been changed.