Smart Parts Patent

[ALLGROWNUP]

What is the update on this on the legal side? Did they patent it a long time ago and just now decide to sue, or did they just patent it then decided to sue everyone? Also, Patents only last 7 years right. How long has the Impy been out, seems like Patents should be retro active.

Last, if Smart Parts is going ahead with the Patent, then we all should not only boycott Smart Parts, but E mail them. I was looking to get a Bushmaster or Impy and discovered this in the Impy forum and here. I fee this should be a Sticky at the top of ALL FORUMS so that every PB player, spyder, autococker, Bob Long, etc know about this. This just pisses me off.

As a Marketing person, this is just bad public relations. I remember a few years ago Harley Davidson tried to Patent the sound of the Harley since all of these Jap bikes are trying to copy them. They were not able to do this, and the basic Harley engine design that creates that sound is 100 years old.

Still Patents are only 7 years, and this is how long it would last I think.

[Lopez17]

Actually I think the patent lasts like 25 years but that being said, the trouble from my perspective with Smart Parts is that the US Government had a patent in the 60's and 70's which would consitute prior art. It's just with all these crazy patent lawsuits these days it's easier to settle than to fight it in court. I honestly think a good civil law judge would recognize the military's prior art patent and strike down SP's suit. It's just the hassle to do so might not be worth it.

[ALLGROWNUP]

I know different patents last different lengths. Like Drugs have a 19 or 20 year patent. With that said, check this web site out. I really like the part about Public Exposure.
Looks like 14 years for most items.

http://www.litmanlaw.com/content.aspx?page=1712&section=1

I have only spent a few seconds on it, however it looks like some good info. Did the Patent aleready exist and SP is just now sueing?