darrellw Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 I know not everyone here is a fan of LED lighting, but it is sad to hear that there might not be any commercial fixtures available, and that it may be having a local impact: http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/03/big-trouble-brewing-future-aquarium-leds -Darrell 2 Quote
R-3 Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 Too bad for PFO. They should have kept there MH manufacturing going IMO. 21st century capitalism at its finest. Like the article said PFO probably won't even have enough money to fight the lawsuit. Quote
andy Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 I like the idea of LED lighting, it's just the current implementation that I have problems with (and the associated claims). I look forward to the day we're all using LED fixtures. RC has a couple of related threads: One dealing with quality and warranty issues: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1563402&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 The other with this patent issue: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1567308 It'd be a real shame if the rumor about PFO going out of business is true. The US patent system is a CF of epic proportions. High tech companies have been giving and getting the shaft for a while now, it's painful to see it spilling over into our hobby. Quote
mrgreenthumb Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I have a hard time comprehending how some could patent something as vast as aquarium led's, it would be like having a patent for all mh bulbs and ballasts.......I can't really see this holding up in court, but I suppose anything is possible with the right lawyers..... Quote
andy Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I tend to agree, it seems like a crazy-broad patent (not unusual these days, unfortunately) -- but PFO has to have the money to defend themselves in court. If they were already taking a bath from Solaris quality problems they may not have had the cash to fight the suit. Quote
CA2OR Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 +1....I don't think that a "broad" patent is going to help them. It is like what Mrgreenthumb said you can't patent stuff like that. it just doesn't make sense. Too bad. Quote
oxx155 Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 If you have a patent like this unfortunately the government forces you to defend it. If you don't threaten and/or sue the companies that use your patented product without paying royalties, then the government will void your patent. Its true and very sad. Its unfortunately that PFO couldn't come up with a compromise. Quote
CA2OR Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 so they dropped their MH line and placed all their eggs into LED's? Quote
CCR Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 WOW I haven't talked to Pat in a while at PFO. This really sucks for them. A great company. Quote
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