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Antec LED Silliness

M

mdk30

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 29, 2004
Messages
1,028
I'd like to know how someone can actually patent a simple addition to a previously existing product that merely enhances its appearance. This whole "we 'invented' putting LEDs on fans" BS is not going to win Antec any new fans (no pun intended) I can guarantee them that.

Vantec's "invention" of putting LEDs on fans is almost the same as trying to patent the invention of putting headlights on cars. Maybe a better analogy would be trying to patent the invention of painting cars different colors, because at least adding headlights to a car is actually adding to the safety and functionality of the vehicle (like being able to drive in the dark); while the only real advantage of painting a car, or adding an LED to a fan for comparison, is to please the eye. While Vantec was at it, why didn't they just patent the "invention" of putting any kind of light emitting diode on any device or object that didn't already have one on it to begin with?

If this "patent" actually gets enforced by some lame brain judge or politician then I've already decided that I'll quit my job, because I know how I can make a wonderful living based on this brilliant concept. I'll quit ranting now, but only because I have to run out to get some patents for LED equipped toothbrushes, hearing aides, and salt shakers. Antec better not have already patented those!!!!
 
Sort of reminds of me of Hyman Lipman when he patented putting erasers on the tip of pencils. His patent was accepted, but later thrown out because it was simply the combination of two things without any new use. I think the same will probably happen to Antec.
 
i think its absolutely stupid. leds in a fan.. and a patent for it? FFS.. a then taking it seriously? they are killing me..
 
i love antec products, they are the best. but dam. they screwed up big time. i hate when a company likes to take credit for something they clearly know they didnt invented. i dont mind that they patent it, so as to protect their own product and interests.
but i do mind that they are trying to control the market.
not good antec.
 
I think I will patent the "Shopping cart" concept for internet shopping....whoa! Too late!

Is there no end to what can be patented? I should patent the 2-foot forward motion stride! Yes, I will patent walking!
 
Some guy has a patent for pop-ups. Think about all the pissed off internet users, and then think about his royalties.


Woo, 100 posts!
 
Here's the thing: It's already been reviewed, by the Patent office. If it hadn't been, they wouldn't HAVE a patent. So, even though it's dirty and low, Antec went through all the right steps, and covered their tracks well. They own the patent, they marked it on the boxen at first, they've got the right to protect it. That's the law.

I'm not saying it's RIGHT, just the way it is.
 
Regardless of Antec having a patent on fans with LEDs they should drop this nonsense. I agree with the OP that this is hardly revolutionary. I have always respected Antec and their quality products but I think this much ado about nothing.
 
The patent office and patent search probably showed no pre-existing patents for this when the patent was awarded. There was pre-existing work in the mods shown on a number of sites. Antec will have a problem if the pre-existing work is brought up and proven by any of those they are sueing.
 
Eh, why buy Antec LED case fans anyway? It's all about the Coolermaster Rifle bearing fans :D (which, BTW, have a legitimate reason for being patented :p )
 
I think it is stupid also. Funny thing is I have 2 different fans with LED's built in. One is a COMPUSA brand with 3 different colors and the other one is the ANTEC with 3 BLUE LEDS in the middle.

The COMPUSA give off a much brighter light and hasn't given me 1 single problem. The Antec light wasn't bright at all and 2 of the 3 leds have failed. I bought bought fans at the same time, I think the COMPUSA one was 10 bucks and the ANTEC was 15 when I bought them.

I love in their letter ANTEC is talking about the SUBPAR quality LED/fan combos on the market.
 
Originally posted by Xeese
The patent office and patent search probably showed no pre-existing patents for this when the patent was awarded. There was pre-existing work in the mods shown on a number of sites. Antec will have a problem if the pre-existing work is brought up and proven by any of those they are sueing.
Click to expand...

IIRC PCMods was the first to have a commercially available LED fan... they were like $50 remember? they had the LEDs on a seperate board and some solid fiber thingies going to the fins?

and then everyone and their mother started making the crappy clear fans with the leds in the middle?

and if you really remember far far back, there were a few people (myself included) that made LED fans with the LED's in the fins
 
Originally posted by lopoetve
Here's the thing: It's already been reviewed, by the Patent office. If it hadn't been, they wouldn't HAVE a patent. So, even though it's dirty and low, Antec went through all the right steps, and covered their tracks well. They own the patent, they marked it on the boxen at first, they've got the right to protect it. That's the law.

I'm not saying it's RIGHT, just the way it is.
Click to expand...

Clearly, in it's current state, the USPO is a massive farce and needs to be reworked. This case is but a minor example of how fucked up they've become.
 
Originally posted by FLECOM
IIRC PCMods was the first to have a commercially available LED fan... they were like $50 remember? they had the LEDs on a seperate board and some solid fiber thingies going to the fins?

and then everyone and their mother started making the crappy clear fans with the leds in the middle?

and if you really remember far far back, there were a few people (myself included) that made LED fans with the LED's in the fins
Click to expand...
I remember seeing that suff here. I was like "WHOA, how did they get the wires to spin with the blades!!!!11" Good stuff. In fact about evey damn thing I've seen comercially available I saw here first. I wish more people would stay away from the premodded "ricey" stuff and try to make something original. Not to say that an awsome case can't be made with neons and led fans, but go for something a little bit unique at least. my two cents.
 
Originally posted by Xeese
The statement from Antec about their R & D efforts is pretty funny.
Click to expand...

like they have a "breakthrough product" ... or came up with something that revolutionized the industry... lol..

its such a waste of money and energy.
 
In the R&D Dept, Friday afternoon...waiting for clocking off time...bored.

"Hey Fred look at this"
"Heh heh, LED's on a fan, that's stupid man"

MD Walks by

"What's that there?"

Fred (embarassed) "Oh...eh I was...erm...thinking about all the modding going on and tried this, yeah that's it this'll catch on with those shiny bling bling modders"

MD: "Good work Fred, I'll call the patent Dept"

The rest is history...........
 
I have a little mod I came up with for the cobra project that i was interested in getting a patent for. With this Antec BS I am afraid to talk about it or even show it for fear they or some other company will just outright steal it. If you checked that link I posted above you know why. It takes thousands of dollars to apply for a patent and 3-5 years for it to even be approved. That is, if they feel it is unique enough to even approve at all. I can see no way a private citizen could afford any such without the backing of some investors and a pocketful of patent lawyers to help understand all the legal jargon. You cannot let the sheep leave the pasture.
 
Originally posted by mdk30
Maybe a better analogy would be trying to patent the invention of painting cars different colors
Click to expand...

Funny thing about that. When GM came out, Ford was the number one (and only) automobile maker in the US. However, GM quickly overcame them because they offered their Chevrolets in different colors, while Ford continued to only offer them in black out of efficiency.

Not that that has any real relevance, but...

Yeah, as stupid as it is, right now Antec is in the right because they hold a legal patent that was approved by the gov't. Will their patent get overturned? Maybe, since they weren't really the first to make these (individuals had been making them previously. AFAIK, it doesn't matter if someone offered it commercially first or not, it matters who invented first. But anyway) and because LED fans are already a part of the public domain whether Antec likes it or not. Plus the definition of an "LED fan" is kind of vague... does that include ones with the blue LEDs in the hub, or just when the LEDs are in the frame of the fan?

At any rate, this patent will probably be overturned. Maybe. Hopefully.
 
Antec isn't challenging other manufactures right to make LED fans, they challenge those manufactures who copy their design. Basically, their design uses flat wire to connect LED's in the frame that shine down on the fan blades. This was the first clean looking (IMO) LED fans on the market. Also the use of a IC to power and control the fan while powering the LEDs.

Patent Link

For people just speed reading it can appear to be a flat out blanket patent when it's not. Understand that patents have to be VERY detailed about every function of the product. They, as a company, took the time to find a better way to make a LED fan. They make a living and feed their kids off this. Modders don't worry about those things, if they did they would get a patent. I fully support Antec on this issue.

Just read
David Forster of Antec reply here
 
if there isnt an existing patent, and you submit a full patent and it is reviewd and seen as deifrent enouph from any previously patented product, then you can get the patent. If some one elce can prove that you took their idea, and their implementation of the idea, (as in the exact thing done the same way) and they had the item in a public forum b4 the other party aplied for the patent, then you can go to coart and try to get the patent aplied to you and not them,

you can manufacture what ever you want even if it has a patent as long as your not turning a profit, (i can sit here and make X boxes all day and give them away and there is nothing legaly wrong with that) and there is only a window of a couple years you can aply for a patent b4 you give up your rights to the product, so if you miss out you by default say, "no i dont whant to patent this" b/c well you didnt. but its a catch 22, once you patent something no one elce can make it and sell it for capital, but the protection of the patent will only last a couple of years aswell to promote a free economy so your giving away your plans for your product to everyone who wants to go look it up, but they have to wate a couple of years

so if i make something dont patent it and some one elce does only i have the right to chalenge them, and if its after a certant amount of time then by default i relinquished my rights, and if they acheave the same goal threw difrent means, then there may be no case to challenge, they made something originaly (maybe a rip off, but we arent all driving fords b/c of the moddle T)
 
The other thing is that the patent posted above is a U.S. Patent wich is only valid in the US... also you don't patent the product itself but rather the fabrication method.

So this means that all these chinese companies can make Led fans as long as they want and sell them where ever they want as long as someone doesn't hold a patent in China... or wichever country they produces them in ...

Also a patent is good for 20 years....
 
Originally posted by FLECOM
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/128/

like i said, pcmods was the first commercial led fan... see i was right :) my memory still works... sometimes
Click to expand...

Good article. most interesting is "Perhaps more concerning is the blatent 'rip-off' of ideas from the modding community." Thats how the world works now adays. U thought of it but a company will steal ur idea and make money. Its all about the $$$ in the end. And patent office being screwed up and a joke essentially? Umm everything is like that now adays. People break into homes and get a million $$$ for breaking the law. Only in America...... I gotta break into a house and get some money! I want another car or two! :D
 
Im getting rid of my Antec case cause im so disgusted with them.

Shove your patent up your ass Antec.
 
They are contacting everyone.

Antecontacted me. I own a small modding business. Here is what they sent!

Dear ???????

Antec greatly appreciates your business and is sending this letter to our retail and distribution customers to address the recent injection of LED fans into the market from other manufacturers.

Antec takes a very strong proprietary position towards its intellectual property, which directly benefits you as a reseller. Antec products have attained a standard of quality that is associated with its name. Antec sells products that have been patented in the United States, which provide certain protections for Antec and its authorized resellers.

Antec has recently become aware of the sale of LED fans by other manufacturers that appear to infringe on Antec's 6,679,771 (herein after "the '771") patent entitled, "Cooling fan with light-emitting device." The '771 patent was issued to Antec on January 20, 2004. Please follow this link to view a copy of the '771 patent:


I would be very interested to see if they could make it stick. After a patent is issued I think you have one year to refute it!!!!
 
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