Fighting Monster patent claims

16 Apr 2008

Monster Cable sends a trademark and patent infringement notice against a small cable maker to try and extract licensing fees. Unfortunately for Monster, the president of Blue Jeans Cable is a former federal and insurance litigator.

I have no interest whatsoever in infringing upon any intellectual property belonging to Monster Cable. Indeed, the less my customers think my products resemble Monster’s, in form or in function, the better.

It seems Monster does this all the time, extorting smaller cable makers with frivolous legal claims.

My observation has been that Monster Cable typically operates in a hit-and-run fashion. Your client threatens litigation, expecting the victim to panic and plead for mercy; and what follows is a quickie negotiation session that ends with payment and a licensing agreement.

I do not compromise with bullies and I would rather spend fifty thousand dollars on defense than give you a dollar of unmerited settlement funds.

I will advance defenses which, if successful, will substantially undermine your future efforts to use these patents and marks.

via Gadgetopia

Michael S.
April 19, 2008 9:08 AM

Monster is way overpriced anyway. Sure, the quality is great but not enough to justify $100 for an HDMI cable. You can get cables that work just as good (or better) for much cheaper.

mary
April 25, 2008 7:06 AM

I would have to say I think my favorite part of this whole Bluejeans cable is ” I would remind you that it is you, not I, who are making claims; and it is you, not I, who must substantiate those claims. You have not done so.” I guess my expectations are sustained by Monster’s performance…they are not very high.

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