Thread: Ever heard of MAKITOOL ?

And the problem with that is what?

I hope they do a Domino too.

If Festool can get a patent for their guide rail then maybe I should apply for one for my 50x25mm length of aluminium and two clamps.

You sound as if you're dissapointed. What's wrong with a bit of competition to get the price down? I believe that's what's brought down the price of cordless nailers since Paslodes' patent ran out (so I've heard).
Patents have a limited shelf life which is fair enough, else we'd all still be using a Black and Decker, and heavily subsidising the descendents of whoever invented the wheel.

Originally Posted by riri

It all started with the systainer in which Makita now sells its tools but worse is coming. Today i've seen the Makita copy of the TS 55 ans its rail. It is called the SP 6000 K and it is sold at 100€ less. I thought all this was protected by a patent.

riri

Dont patents have a shelf life these days? I.e after so many years your patent expires and your design is free to copy/modify by anyone?
I could be wrong though

Originally Posted by Dean

Dont patents have a shelf life these days? I.e after so many years your patent expires and your design is free to copy/modify by anyone?
I could be wrong though

I think it is around 25 years. I remember when Monsanto's patent for Ruondup expired. Within days there were several imitation glyphosate poisons for sale. I'm sure that this will happen for tools as well.

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

I think it is around 25 years. I remember when Monsanto's patent for Ruondup expired. Within days there were several imitation glyphosate poisons for sale. I'm sure that this will happen for tools as well.

And arn't we all happy about that, now I can get a litre at the local hardware for $9 instead of $25

I think there are different patent periods depending on what it is being patented. I am all for it, bring on the Makita Domino, I like blue

I thought Mafell made the first Saw/guide rail. They even have one that had a dado blade in it.

I wonder how long it was between the Lamello and first copy?

About 17 years. All depends on the jurisdiction.

I know the Lamello came out in `56 and as far as i know the first plate joiner from another manufacturer was the Elu sidewinder. I have no idea when it came out, but it was totaly different o the Lamello but achieved the same result.

I wonder if Dewalt and Makita are working on a system of producing a mortice using the same side movement to overcome the Festool copywright problem.

Originally Posted by Lignum

I wonder if Dewalt and Makita are working on a system of producing a mortice using the same side movement to overcome the Festool copywright problem.

Probably most of the manufacturers are at least considering it at some level.

It's not difficult to make a mortice using a totally different method to domi.
I can think of one other way that wouldn't infringe fetools patent, while being just as fast. Maybe theres other ways too.

So theres opportunity for at least one other "domi" manufacturer.

BUT Tools are BIG business
Black & Decker might even buy festool then you could see B&D and Dewalt and Millers Falls and Elu and all B&D's subsidiaries all making "domi's"

If B&D are slow off the mark then Electrolux or even GMC might beat em to it.

Never forget that Festool ( part of TTS ) is only a divison of FESTO AG one of the world leaders in automation ( pneumatics cylinders, valves etc.).

Is Festool strategic to the group? That is the question.

riri

Originally Posted by Lignum

I know the Lamello came out in `56 and as far as i know the first plate joiner from another manufacturer was the Elu sidewinder. I have no idea when it came out, but it was totaly different o the Lamello but achieved the same result.

Had one of these back in the 90's nicely produced machine but could be dangerous if one was'nt prepared for the kick ...sold it bought a Makita.

With copies/similar designed tools of well known brands it will happen likely sooner than later.

Cheers

From what I have read on the various government sites regarding copyrights, I don't think that they apply to ideas. Industrial products are protected by either patents or secrecy*, and patents are supposed to be for some innovation. I can't see any new ground in a domino apart from the portability. (The slot mortiser/loose tenon has been around in fixed form for a long time)

If another tool maker wants to provide some price pressure all the better for us the consumers. True quality however may never be "cheap"...there are a lot of battery drills around, yet the good brands still seem to be pretty expensive.

*since patent applications include detailed drawings and descriptions, sometimes secrecy works better. The USPO site is a goldmine of information if you ever want to make yourself a homemade copy of something that you can't afford and aren't sure how its done. This is not patent infringement, as patents only protect the holder from commercial copying.

This is not patent infringement, as patents only protect the holder from commercial copying.

Might be that way in usa dunno if thats the case here.
Theres some techno legal stuff involved

Originally Posted by echnidna

This is not patent infringement, as patents only protect the holder from commercial copying.

Might be that way in usa dunno if thats the case here.
Theres some techno legal stuff involved

I guess the thing I was thinking of has a US patent, so protection is per their laws, I believe. As a practical matter, copying a patented item is rarely a productive use of time. The only time I've done it was for a large object that sold for $700 in the US, but would have cost 3K here if I imported it privately. It cost me $200 to make, and about a week in the shed. Since there is no demonstrable loss (which is the only applicable test in patent cases), there was no foul.

Patent law is a funny thing...all of your genes have been patented in the past few years...the folks who hold those patents went to all that trouble for what reason? Do you violate patent law every time you reproduce?