thank you for telling us who is selling "flexidomes"The…

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Posted by: garyfong1 Original: 6/2/2008 9:57 PM Views: 1218 Comments: 4 eProps: 8 Read Comments Post a Comment Back to Your Xanga Site

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2 eProps from: lckpak rondeb hytek_rednek erikdungan

Monday, June 02, 2008

thank you for telling us who is selling "flexidomes"

The reason I am asking who is selling the "flexidome" or "lambency" light diffuser is because they are infringing on our patent.

As many of you have pointed out to me, the "flexidome" or "lambency" is a direct knock-off of the Lightsphere.

Unfortunately, we have to vigorously enforce our rights against these counterfeit items. It's unfortunate because it is very expensive to have to go after these distributors and camera stores, but we can't acquiesce on our intellectual property rights.

Please report any sightings of the "Flexidome" or "Lambency" diffusers - or if you've bought one, we'd like to know where you got it (what store, etc.) Please email your reportings to "crystal@garyfonginc.com"

Posted 6/2/2008 9:57 PM - 1218 Views - 8 eProps - 4 comments

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4 Comments

I have seen the Lambency lightsphere knockoffs selling in many camera stores in Hong Kong.

in fact on their boxes they use sample pictures that are shown in your website too!

Posted 6/3/2008 9:09 AM by lckpak - - reply

It looks like NorthCoast Photo in Oregon is selling it. I also saw a posting saying it was made be Dot Line. Hope that helps.

Posted 6/3/2008 9:27 AM by rondeb - - reply

Not sure if patent law addresses resellers as opposed to a manufacturer, most of which are overseas in this case I'm sure. International courts are a real challenge. So much for free trade agreements. Protection of jobs through tariffs also worked for intellectual property. The designer clothes, jewelry and software retailers are really finding that out.

Of course our patent attorney in St Louis always told us we'd go broke suing people over patent infringements, unless they were a huge company with really big assets and not likely to go out of business when damages are proven in court and judgment given.

Anyway, I doubt resellers are liable. If so retailers like Wal-Mart would have to be concerned about every item purchased for resale and would have to conduct patent searches on every product otherwise they could be dragged into court every time they turn around. I think the law only goes after the real offender, someone who rips off the product and reproduces it for sale. Even then the legal system makes you prove damages in court.

BTW, patents law says anyone can copy anything for personal use or experiments. Patents were not designed to prevent the free flow of knowledge or preclude the use of an idea. It only protects the inventor's right to profit from the manufacture and sale of his idea to the general public. For instance, if Exxon came up with a way to make cars get 200 mpg, they can't prevent someone from building their own and benefiting from the device, if they have the skill to build it. Likewise, I believe if Exxon did not market their device to the public, they can be sued and forced to sell manufacturing rights. Patents were never supposed to prevent technology from reaching the public by hoarding an idea or technology.

Hytek

Posted 6/3/2008 9:48 PM by hytek_rednek - - reply