OP
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Opus
2500 Club Member
Thanks. I always have wondered what happened.
Do led lighting companies have to pay a license fee?
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Ah another thread with sweeping generalizations.
12 feet of tanks lit for less than a couple thousand. At 18 feet I will hit $2500.
12 feet of tanks lit for less than a couple thousand. At 18 feet I will hit $2500.
OP
OP
Opus
2500 Club Member
Maybe you are generalizing that you are the norm?
Here is a patent for an LED light over an aquarium.
US10440940B2 - Lighting unit and method of controlling - Google Patents
A lighting unit for illuminating a habitat is provided. The lighting unit includes a housing and a light emitter. The operating parameters of the lighting unit may be adjusted to mimic different natural conditions.
patents.google.com
Us penny pinchers are still here and were not happy that you newbies are content to spend $$$$$$$ ;-)
For what its worth -- orbitech exited as well.
The patent is still valid and was assigned to SNC.
The patent is still valid and was assigned to SNC.
US8388163B2 - Marine LED lighting system and method - Google Patents
A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
patents.google.com
SteveMM62Reef
Valuable Member
Several years ago I was talking to an LED Light Manufacturer and Distributor. They told me one of their competitor’s was going out of business. They didn’t properly identify which fixtures had Cree LED’s in them, and the lawsuit overwhelmed them. I heard they were working on a UV Germicidal LED that had a life of over 50,000 hours, never heard what the outcome was. Would outperform any Fluorescent tube in admittance.
"It's dead Jim"For what its worth -- orbitech exited as well.
The patent is still valid and was assigned to SNC.
US8388163B2 - Marine LED lighting system and method - Google Patents
A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.patents.google.com
2020-10-26 FEPP Fee payment procedure
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY
2021-04-12 LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY
2021-04-12 STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362
2021-05-04 FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20210305
Maybe...
That is interesting. I should have looked at the patent wrapper. Nice catch. I suspect that Sierra Nevada gave up on it. It is not really in their "space". Maybe they shot the patent into space with one of their rockets? I suspect the original company may have had an engineer working with LEDs who was a reefer and suggested it. It was actually a pretty encompassing patent for the reef community. I remember when that thread came out. A lot of us were playing around with DIY LEDs. By the time SN got it, there was probably just too much on the market to pursue. They probably make more on one rocket than they would with one LED law suit.
Kodak made a killing on its application of the charge coupled device used to create digital pictures... In many regards, not much different.
Kodak made a killing on its application of the charge coupled device used to create digital pictures... In many regards, not much different.
and the ridiculous naming of frags....
rwreef
Valuable Member
The Ecotech parent is very detailed. In general this is not a good thing for a patent. You only need to not do one "thing" they are claiming and get around the patent and not pay royalties to the patent holder.
I would believe most of the IP for big reef lighting companies is retained in thier software algorithms. Sure the assembly of thier light can hold some IP, but there are many ways to place LEDs
in a box.
I would believe most of the IP for big reef lighting companies is retained in thier software algorithms. Sure the assembly of thier light can hold some IP, but there are many ways to place LEDs
in a box.
So as I recall it the industry slowly got the Orbital patent torn down. It was very much one of those patent Troll companies. Their legal team created a wide range of patents none related to anything they ever made. Their intention was to pressure the little guys into royalty to prove validity and acceptance of their IP. Then ratchet up.
The Industry does have to pay Phillips fee's on all fixtures sold as they bought a company whose name escapes me who was one of the largest patent holders outside of Cree on Led's.
So to some it the would seem the Phillips Coral care light is a somewhat cynical corporate play. As they know the number of units sold from the patent fees they extract so decided to adapt one of their fixtures as a reef light to leverage into that market.
The Industry does have to pay Phillips fee's on all fixtures sold as they bought a company whose name escapes me who was one of the largest patent holders outside of Cree on Led's.
So to some it the would seem the Phillips Coral care light is a somewhat cynical corporate play. As they know the number of units sold from the patent fees they extract so decided to adapt one of their fixtures as a reef light to leverage into that market.
OP
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Opus
2500 Club Member
You don't even have to make up names now. I see "gold torch" going for more than the named torches. Same with hammers. I was just really musing on the fact of how much all the aquarium equipment now costs. I guess it is just a different generation with more disposable income. Back when I started most people were complaining about how much a halide setup cost. Now it seems like it is nothing for someone to put several thousand into their tank before they ever add water.
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