M*g or M@G instead of mag?
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Gunner12
Flashaholic
There are many reasons, but it think it stemmed from Maglite's lawsuits to anything resembling their flashlights. You couldn't have a focusing light unless it had a mechanism drastically different from maglite's. You can't even have a light shaped like a Maglite.
I think it was done just in case they came here and it stuck.
I think it was done just in case they came here and it stuck.
Not sure, but I believe it was done more as a way of showing contempt, than for the actual fear of a lawsuit.
But it's pretty funny that it has stuck, and it's one of the many quirks of CPF.
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Darkpower
Newly Enlightened
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It seems to me that maglites' focusing patent would already be in public domain. I have own a focusing maglite for over 16 years and it seems they have been around forever. Generally patents issued in the 1980's are good only for 17 years and newer patents (issued in the last 10 years) are good for 20 years including the patent pending period. However, I haven't reviewed their patent and I could be wrong. Their trademark however would not expire and to some extent copyrights on their designs (shape).
powernoodle
Flashlight Enthusiast
By spelling it "Maglite", I rebel against those who themselves are rebelling.
Its the circle of life.
Its the circle of life.
Neubauej
Newly Enlightened
Lol, Thanks guys, That makes sense. :laughing:
Marduke
Flashaholic
Well, judging that in the past year, I have seen rayovac, energizer, husky, and others come out with lights which varied the focus by means of changing the position of the bulb in the reflector with a cam system, I'd say they their patents has indeed ran out.
Marduke
Flashaholic
From here:
http://www.promotetheprogress.com/archives/2005/02/
Steel MagLite eh? Aluminum version of MagLite would be inferior?? :shakehead :thinking:
http://www.promotetheprogress.com/archives/2005/02/
February 03, 2005
Will MagLite patent continue to shine?
Yesterday, Representative Joe Baca (CA) re-introduced his legislation (HR 607, text not yet available) to extend the life of RE 38,014 which includes claims directed to MagLite flashlights.
Baca introduced this bill in the last Congress (see this prior PTP post).
This time around, he's got the support of The National Association of Police Organizations and its 52 affiliates. The justification, according to Baca: "We need to make sure that our police officers and first responders have this nearly indestructible American-made steel flashlight instead of a fragile foreign knock-off flashlight made of aluminum or plastic."
Again, I ask: isn't the introduction of cheaper products upon patent expiration one of the fundamental purposes of the patent system?
I'd love the opportunity to talk with MagLite about the value of continued innovation and strong trademark protection.
Steel MagLite eh? Aluminum version of MagLite would be inferior?? :shakehead :thinking:
jzmtl
Flashlight Enthusiast
My bet is maglite paid him bags of money, and he doesn't even know what he's talking about.
+1
Anyone who knows anything about a flashlight, would know that a stock Maglite will be destoyed by a SureFire (another American made product) 1/5 the size.
Darkpower
Newly Enlightened
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:thinking:
Okay fellow Flashaholics, here's the patent (the CIP) on the focus mechanism. It continues (Continuation in part; CIP) of a previous patent filed in 1988.
4,851,974 issued July 25, 1989 << Linked to US Gov web site
Its expired and now public domain, plus the extension would have only extended it another year to 2006. I would imagine they asked for the extension because they abandon the original application and went with the CIP.
Oh and Mr.Anthony Maglica is named on 97 US Patents. Fellows; this guy owns the industry. I have 5 patents myself and in the last 10 years of my engineering career, all I did was work with lawyers and patent attorneys ranging from reviewing patents, drafting licensing agreements and defending or prosecuting claims for our company on patent and trademark matters.
For a person to be named in 97 patents is quite impressive and I am certain this fellow has quite an ego. Not to mention that his company may also own other patents invented by employees working for him.
Here is a list of his 97 patents << Link
Okay fellow Flashaholics, here's the patent (the CIP) on the focus mechanism. It continues (Continuation in part; CIP) of a previous patent filed in 1988.
4,851,974 issued July 25, 1989 << Linked to US Gov web site
Its expired and now public domain, plus the extension would have only extended it another year to 2006. I would imagine they asked for the extension because they abandon the original application and went with the CIP.
Oh and Mr.Anthony Maglica is named on 97 US Patents. Fellows; this guy owns the industry. I have 5 patents myself and in the last 10 years of my engineering career, all I did was work with lawyers and patent attorneys ranging from reviewing patents, drafting licensing agreements and defending or prosecuting claims for our company on patent and trademark matters.
For a person to be named in 97 patents is quite impressive and I am certain this fellow has quite an ego.
Not to mention that his company may also own other patents invented by employees working for him.Here is a list of his 97 patents << Link
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Fallingwater
Flashlight Enthusiast
Still, it's not like calling them M(whatever)g really changes anything... I think this should stop, as it messes up the search when someone's looking for posts about mags.
That is intentional.
indestructible American-made steel flashlight instead of a fragile foreign knock-off flashlight made of aluminum????????????????????????????????????????????????????
what?
also. I agree that people should spell MAG or MAGLITE out. It prevents newbies from finding stuff about mags. In some ways its a good thing.
what?
also. I agree that people should spell MAG or MAGLITE out. It prevents newbies from finding stuff about mags. In some ways its a good thing.
Fallingwater
Flashlight Enthusiast
Which makes it even stupider.
Information should always be made as easily accessible as possible, even if the company in question is a bunch of asses.
See for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/robots.txt -- a mechanism by which people can make web pages searchable or non-searchable as they please. Which exists because it's a good idea.
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Neubauej
Newly Enlightened
Whoops, I did not mean to open such a can-o-worms. Interesting discussion nonetheless...
