New Cedar Point ride's patent being disputed

http://pointbuzz.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=1569

Battle Of The Manufacterers

CoasterBuzz said:
http://pointbuzz.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=1569

Congrats on the mention in the Toledo blade article.

Since these starflyers usually cost $2M each, throw funtime a bone by a couple of them
And install them at the 2 smallest parks in the chain.

That should satisfy their complaints.

Why waste $4 million on something they don't want?

So they don't have to waste money on no ride if they have to pay a licensing fee or a judgement, if they lose in court.
Better something then nothing.

Of course, this is only if they think they might lose legally

Otherwise I'm with you, screw funtime.

I really don't think Funtime would win in court. It seems like they are suing the wrong company. Mondial's design is different because of the steel supports on the swings.

coolkid2345 said:
I really don't think Funtime would win in court. It seems like they are suing the wrong company. Mondial's design is different because of the steel supports on the swings.

Based on what we know from the articles, and the fact the Funtime is making this public, I agree with you.

That being said, our legal system works in strange ways. Murderers get away with brutal acts (OJ) and some people spend 5 years in jail for manslaughter because Toyota can't make a prius that stops.

That whole Funtime patent lawsuit thing is just for publicity. "They copied our idea for a ride that spins you around and goes up and down!" So does every carnival ride you idiots.

If that's publicity they are doing it the wrong way and making their own company look bad in the process.

Wildcat said:
That whole Funtime patent lawsuit thing is just for publicity. "They copied our idea for a ride that spins you around and goes up and down!" So does every carnival ride you idiots.

Smart post of the day. You don't see Intamin and B&M battling out just because they each make coasters with hills.

I doubt Funtime will have much success in the industry if they whine publically about lost contracts and spill the beans on the annoucments of potential customers. They could still file a lawsuit against Mondial for patent infringment without even mentioning Cedar Point or Cedar Fair.