FORD SUED FOR MY COLOR

GT-03 · Dec 9, 2004

Contrarian said:
Even if the guy has a case, I can't see the judge stopping the entire line. The economic impact it would create over a relatively minor feature would be pretty big. Thousand of people would go without income because of a relatively minor patent infingement. If it was a safety issue I would undetstand. A judge in michigan that stops production of an auto factory and therefore cuts peope eaarnings during the holiday season would be career suicide. He's better off making ford pay harder fines if in fact they are found guilty.

Well, the judge should only be basing his decision on likelihood to win.

Plus, don't blame the victim here (or the judge). The consequences should, and do, all fall on Ford's shoulders. You are forgetting that Ford has the power to stop the shutting down of its assembly line by simply settling the case.

iwanna05 · Dec 9, 2004

Contrarian said:
Even if the guy has a case, I can't see the judge stopping the entire line. The economic impact it would create over a relatively minor feature would be pretty big. Thousand of people would go without income because of a relatively minor patent infingement. If it was a safety issue I would undetstand. A judge in michigan that stops production of an auto factory and therefore cuts peope eaarnings during the holiday season would be career suicide. He's better off making ford pay harder fines if in fact they are found guilty.

If this was your idea, would you consider this a "minor infringment"?

2002GreyGT · Dec 9, 2004

The question is who has the better lawyers.

My bet is Ford.

Contrarian · Dec 9, 2004

iwanna05 said:
If this was your idea, would you consider this a "minor infringment"?

Of course not. That's why we have impartial judges who consider the facts and consequences of their judgements (ideally).

If the courts were to stop production of every product whenever there was a patent infringement levied against them then nothing would get manufactured in this country. I would just start brainstorming ideas, patent them, and when somebody went into production with it - force them to hald production and extort a percentage of revenue from them.

Patent laws in our country a majorly f-ed up. People are claiming patents that are just plain STUPID. For instance, somebody is claiming a patent on the idea of hyperlinking. Should a judge order a cease and decist on the internet until the case is resolved after the lawyers hold it up for 5 years?

More than likely this guy is trying to extort money and hoping for a settlement before it goes to trial. Winning the patent infringement is hard unless Ford uses his method exactly. However if he gets the judge to hold up production and cost ford millions of dollars then they will have incentive to settle just to make the ******* go away.

05PhillyStang · Dec 9, 2004

phantom05 said:
I only care that my car ..that was built this week gets delivered..........

It is not a seperate option...it comes with the interior upgrade.....which includes leather seats aluminum and chrome dash....and is needed for the side bags...
I'm sure people care because..... it was sold to them and they want... what is theirs.
Not trying to flame...but my friggin gauges won't be purple....

IUP does not include leather seats. Leather is included on the premium and a stand-alone option on the deluxe. Straight from forddirect.com:

Interior Upgrade Package $450.00

- Satin Aluminum Finish Instrument Panel Appliqué - Ribbed Pattern
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Satin Aluminum Spokes
- Satin Aluminum-Plated Shift Lever with Automatic Transmission
- Bright Polished Register Rings and Leather-Wrapped Sport Shift Knob for Manual Transmission
- Satin Aluminum-Plated Door Handles
- Special New Bright Polished Six-Gauge Cluster with MyColor Feature and Message Center
- Satin Aluminum Door Sill Scuff Plate with Bright MUSTANG Lettering Insert
- Dark Charcoal Aberdeen Pattern Front Door Panel Inserts

Either way, I couldn't care less about MyColor. I would want all the other IUP options, though. But like it was said, if someone orders it, they're entitled to it. Or at least a refund if the law says Ford can't use it

tjm73 · Dec 9, 2004

The only thing MyColor is good for to me is to make the dash glow red. I'd set it to red (or maybe amber) and forget about it. Both my current Mustangs have green and green sucks!

If they made the standard dash color red or amber/red then who gives an F about the MyColor thing?

DallasJ_TSi · Dec 9, 2004

He said that the process was done by a student at MIT, I think... So the only way he should have a chance at getting something from ford is if they copied the process.

You cant patent an idea anymore. You have to have figured out how to do something, AND succeeded in doing it. If you dont have the knowlege for just one part to make it complete, then you cant get a patent.

Also just cause you found out how to do something doesnt mean you own the rights to doing "it" period. Anyone can come up with a new way to do it and be just fine.

Im thinking with this though, he said he sent info to them a few years ago. I think one of the engineers just happend to find the info sent to him, and decided to copy it.

But who knows, maybe he's in cahootz with the Micky D's lady.

-Dallas J

jaki30 · Dec 9, 2004

The guy who thought up the concept of the intermittent w/s wipers fought Ford, GM and Chrysler for many years. They could have settled cheap in the beginning, but, it cost them a fortune because they thought they could overrun the little guy. They paid dearly for that move. Of course they passed the settlement costs right onto the consumer.

shadowland2000 · Dec 9, 2004

Like this is really some kind of technological break through. Any car maker could add this option a million different ways, and decades ago.

royb · Dec 9, 2004

good luck with that. he'll be dead or broke when it's all said & done. Just ask the guy who invented the delay on the windshield wiper. he sued all the automakers & so far has won but it's taken over 25 years and still no money yet. Shame on you Ford but I like them in my car

GT-03 · Dec 9, 2004

2002GreyGT said:
The question is who has the better lawyers.

My bet is Ford.

I am not so sure.

Ford just lost their rights to the "Futura" trademark in court because their lawyers were clueless about even the most basic trademark laws. When Ford realized just how incompetent their lawyers were, Ford had to announce they wouldn't even try an appeal. I mean, they knew they were so dead wrong.

phantom05 · Dec 9, 2004

05PhillyStang said:
IUP does not include leather seats. Leather is included on the premium and a stand-alone option on the deluxe. Straight from forddirect.com:

Interior Upgrade Package $450.00

- Satin Aluminum Finish Instrument Panel Appliqué - Ribbed Pattern
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Satin Aluminum Spokes
- Satin Aluminum-Plated Shift Lever with Automatic Transmission
- Bright Polished Register Rings and Leather-Wrapped Sport Shift Knob for Manual Transmission
- Satin Aluminum-Plated Door Handles
- Special New Bright Polished Six-Gauge Cluster with MyColor Feature and Message Center
- Satin Aluminum Door Sill Scuff Plate with Bright MUSTANG Lettering Insert
- Dark Charcoal Aberdeen Pattern Front Door Panel Inserts

Either way, I couldn't care less about MyColor. I would want all the other IUP options, though. But like it was said, if someone orders it, they're entitled to it. Or at least a refund if the law says Ford can't use it

agreed...my mistake..on the detail
I ordered premium..and forgot it's been sooooo long......I what everything that was in my deal. ...AND MY CAR DELIVERED. built 12-6.

hotmustang331 · Dec 9, 2004

people are always wanting something for nothing.

Redzz2005GT · Dec 11, 2004

My Color Patent Expired

phantom05 said:
I found this posted on another site.....thought you might want to see.
Ford is being sued ...to stop the my color dash.
can't vouch for the validity...but look for yourself.
it has a copy of the law suit attached

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/12/emw186804.htm

link works now.........................

This guys patent expired due to non payment of maintenance fee, which is required by the US patent office. Here is a link with documentation. So MY Color will continue. Hopefully atleast until Monday, Dec. 13. Thats the day mine will be built. This guy needs to pay his bills before he sues. Here is a link

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=582198

Hope it works.

phantom05 · Dec 11, 2004

Redzz2005GT said:
This guys patent expired due to non payment of maintenance fee, which is required by the US patent office. Here is a link with documentation. So MY Color will continue. Hopefully atleast until Monday, Dec. 13. Thats the day mine will be built. This guy needs to pay his bills before he sues. Here is a link

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=582198

Hope it works.

HA HA HA...nice find....good attitude too.

dude101 · Dec 11, 2004

That sue happy ass%*@e is just looking for quick cash.

Is it a patent infringement to build cars, plans, bikes, dishware, bottled water etc? All of these things can be built/made many different ways. Why not patent the concept of putting a seed in the ground and growing something, absurd.

30AnnivStang · Dec 12, 2004

dude101 said:
That sue happy ass%*@e is just looking for quick cash.

Is it a patent infringement to build cars, plans, bikes, dishware, bottled water etc? All of these things can be built/made many different ways. Why not patent the concept of putting a seed in the ground and growing something, absurd.

If you look at it that way, why ever patent anything. besides, the patent is on the METHOD in which the dash is lit/changes color.

ryanrule · Dec 12, 2004

the copywrite laws are worse than the patent laws. copywrite were originally only supposed to last for 7 years

Route666 · Dec 12, 2004

30AnnivStang said:
If you look at it that way, why ever patent anything. besides, the patent is on the METHOD in which the dash is lit/changes color.

Because the way you patent it may be the only way of doing it OR the only reasonable way of doing it. (ie- The only way you'll make a profit selling it if you make it.)

It's just like V8s, Ford invented that, but GM, Toyota, ... are all making V8s, but I doubt Ford gets royalties for it. I am of course assuming Ford patented it, maybe they didn't, but the idea still stands. You can patent your plans for building a V8 but someone else can steal the idea of packaging an engine in a V8 configuration if they draw their own, differing plans. Also it would be like the Hemi combustion chamber, Ford made one, heck a lot of engines use the idea, but they're all done differently.

30AnnivStang · Dec 12, 2004

Route666 said:
Because the way you patent it may be the only way of doing it OR the only reasonable way of doing it. (ie- The only way you'll make a profit selling it if you make it.)

It's just like V8s, Ford invented that, but GM, Toyota, ... are all making V8s, but I doubt Ford gets royalties for it. I am of course assuming Ford patented it, maybe they didn't, but the idea still stands. You can patent your plans for building a V8 but someone else can steal the idea of packaging an engine in a V8 configuration if they draw their own, differing plans. Also it would be like the Hemi combustion chamber, Ford made one, heck a lot of engines use the idea, but they're all done differently.

you are correct. and if you read the compliant, it's the method that is in question. Thank you.

FORD SUED FOR MY COLOR

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