Ultra Products sues almost every PSU manufacturer

Chimerical

Chimerical

Chimerical

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http://www.custompc.co.uk/news/602397/ultra-products-sues-almost-every-psu-manufacturer.html

Ultra Products sues almost every PSU manufacturer

After being granted a patent on the modular power supply, Ultra Products attempts to sue all its competitors

If you thought that modular power supplies were just a universal good idea for cutting down on clutter in your case, then think again. Ultra Products owns a patent on the idea, and is now attempting to take any competitors with modular power supplies to court.

Ultra Products filed a patent for the idea of supplying power ‘to a component disposed inside of the computer case via a removable cable attached to the power supply’ back in August 2004, and was granted the patent in July 2006.

However, now that many of Ultra Products’ competitors are also producing modular power supplies, the company has decided to take action. The list of PSU manufacturers being taken to court is astounding, and the case lists the following defendants:

‘Antec, Inc., Channel Well Technology Co. Ltd., Channel Well Technology Co. U.S.A., Inc., Corsair Memory, Inc., Enhance Electronics Co. Ltd., E-Power Technology/PCMCIS, SPI Electronic Co. Ltd., FSP Group USA Corp., Koolance USA, Mushkin, Inc., OCZ Technology, Sea Sonic Electronics Co. Ltd., Silverstone Technology, Inc., Spire-Bytecom Fanner Corporation, Tagan Technology Co. Ltd., Tagan Technology Co., Thermaltake Technology Co. Ltd., Thermaltake, Inc., Topower Computer Industrial Co. Ltd., Topower Computer U.S.A., Inc., Zalman Technology Company Ltd. and Zalman USA, Inc.’

Could this be the end of widespread modular power supplies? Does it matter if you can attach modular cables to your PSU?

Via HardOCP

Interesting...plus, look at that huge list of PSU manufacturers.
 
I wonder how many 13 year olds bought that particular blue and orange PSU in that link just because of the colour? *hides his in a draw ;)
 
Bloody patent hounds. I hate companies like this, which is why I automatically boycott them. That PSU of theirs in the pic look like poo anyway.
 
I know of a site (In america) that actually made the first ones by modding, so how did they think it up? And that was in 2003. (Apparently). However, they ship here, so classed as a competitor.

Heres a pic. Not very elegant though.
07.JPG
 
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Well a patent was granted on the "smart phone", and I havent seen anyone stop making them....

I dont think anything will change
 
'removable cable attached to the power supply’
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I read that as a bit of a grey area, as it implies that the cable is attached to the PSU. That quote, for me at least, does not define that the cables are attached to the psu by means of a plug and socket.
 
shauncr91 said:
For some reason I really doubt they will get anywhere with this case :rolleyes:
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Well, I dont know about that, I would think it was possible that companies who wish to make/continue to make modular PSUs will have to pay a licenseing fee per unit.
They patented a design, its matters not if they copied it from someone else who didnt bother to patent it.
I can see this going exactly the way they want! Why would you bother with all the carp of getting a patent if anyone else can just copy it without so much as giving you a nod?!
 
granted 2006? I am sure there is plenty of prior art from before then, that should be sufficient to get the case thrown out.

The US Patent system is a joke, hugely understaffed and backlogged and a lot of those dealing with them have the technical knowledge of a teaspoon.
 
Ethics said:
granted 2006? I am sure there is plenty of prior art from before then, that should be sufficient to get the case thrown out.

The US Patent system is a joke, hugely understaffed and backlogged and a lot of those dealing with them have the technical knowledge of a teaspoon.
Click to expand...

It was applied for in 2004

And contrary to popular belief, you need very little technical data to acquire a patent. Patents don’t care if it is possible or economical, they only care about the idea. If they were the first to get the patent in then good for them. Why shouldn’t they protect their idea, even if they weren’t the first to manufacture it, it still might have been there idea. All it is a statement that it hasn’t been done before.

Not that a patent is actually much use for protecting anything, unless you a worldwide one and you the funds available to take others to court.

EDIT: and it wont stop modular PSU form being sold, just £1 will got to them
 
There are limits on the types of things you can patent i believe. Like you couldn't patent the entire idea of a display from a computer (or input device etc.) but you could patent a particular idea of how to achieve it (like how CRT works etc.).

I could be wrong though.

I guess there will always be people who don't agree with patenting systems and that believe it stifles creativity and innovation.

CrazyDAJT brought up a good point about worldwide patents, the manufacturers could just pull their manufacturing and products out of the market in question (obviously the consumer gets shafted as usual) and say FU. Well until Mein Fuhrer Bush takes over the world and we live and die by the corporations who apply for these patents.
 
Malt_Vinegar said:
Thats why we have patent offices. They have to work out what is viable to patent.
Which is presumably why they have to take so long.
Click to expand...

Mmmm good point, besides, things like mice and monitors are a bit to general to try and patent. A display by definition displays something, you cant patent every possible way of displaying an image.

Ultra's gear isnt all bad like that garish looking thing. The Ultra X3 1Kw is about the best I have had the first hand experience with :)

Martyn
 
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