Power Kite Forum

Rev clones on Ebay -what's up?

krumly - 13-12-2006 at 08:34 PM

There have been a number of Rev Blast/Speed copies showing up on Ebay in the last 6-9 months. See for example: Link

I thought many features of the design were under patent.

I have no issue with individuals using patented ideas as a springboard for further design improvents, and think manufacturers trying to claim patents on niggling little bridle modifications is ridiculous. I love Rev's, and think they stand in a pretty clear niche as a different approach to power kiting (and ya, I know there are other quad line single skin kites out there that precede the Revs). Anyone else care to comment or clarify ?

krumly

tedsfoils - 14-12-2006 at 07:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by krumly
There have been a number of Rev Blast/Speed copies showing up on Ebay in the last 6-9 months. See for example: Link

I thought many features of the design were under patent.

I have no issue with individuals using patented ideas as a springboard for further design improvents, and think manufacturers trying to claim patents on niggling little bridle modifications is ridiculous. I love Rev's, and think they stand in a pretty clear niche as a different approach to power kiting (and ya, I know there are other quad line single skin kites out there that precede the Revs). Anyone else care to comment or clarify ?

krumly


I have a little experience in the subject. When Kite Innovations first made the “Quadraflex” we were under the assumption that the curved handles and the mesh in the leading edge was covered under the patent. It was only later we discovered the patent actually claimed the “less surface area in the center than its outer portions”. So basically any kite that is made to look like the Revolution or a double diamond infringes the Patent.

Some companies actually license others to manufacture under the Patent. This method would involve paying a royalty to the company holding the Patent.

Another possibility is Revolution did not continue to pay the fees necessary to keep the Patent in force and elected to not enforce.

coreykite - 14-12-2006 at 12:31 PM

Looked at the e-bay page.
Pretty obvious it is not an original idea.

Noted the seller seems to be aware and hiding their identity.
Does any of our loyal community know who and/or where this person is?

Rev is not licensing anyone to copy their kites.

Thanks for all the sharp eyes.

the coreylama

KYTE SLINGER - 14-12-2006 at 05:22 PM

I e-mail the seller about 3 months ago and ask if the "kite " was a rev or home made ..seller stated that would be copy rights infringements and that these 2 kites were from his brother and he was selling one and keeping the other... then I see more and more coming up for sale... and I do know one maybe 2 of the buyers that bought ripoffs revs from this guy:flaming: shame shame...


he know darn well he is either riping off a pat. or making and selling off shore... be nice to know what the shipping is to X zip code to track down seller

also I posted this on the offical rev site about rev ripoffs and Ben said he will look into it

Bladerunner - 14-12-2006 at 05:48 PM

He bought a kite trike from paragliders.com, according to his feedback. He's from Canada :evil: :flaming: Obviously NOT a true Canadian. :bird: