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this is disgusting. I've bought sooo many pairs of armadas, but I'll never buy another pair again, and you can be sure that I'm gonna let all of my friends who aren't internet/ski industry savvy know about this shit. also, that letter is complete bullshit. you really expect us to believe that you filed this patent and are suing your competitors not to make more money but to support a charity? i'm sorry but that is complete and total bullshit and only a total retard would believe that. Armada, you fucked up pretty bad on this one...shit like this isn't easily forgotten, and once you've crossed the industry wrong it doesn't go away.
so fuck you Armada... back in the day you seemed like such a cool company that I made you my username...now I'm regretting that and realize what greedy little bastards you've become....SHAME ON YOU
This thread has officially gotten out of hand. after a good read through all of this, several things are clear. A) most of you can not breakdown a complex situation and provide a well thought answer (i said most, not all), B) most of you seem to think writing "Fuck Armada" on a message board is empowering, C) the users stirring this hornets nest most likely work for Rossi or another company that don't understand the situation themselves. Rather than allow another 6 pages of ignorance to unfold I challenge someone to dig a bit deeper and give these rants a breath of educated fresh air. hell, i challenge NS to contact Armada and set the record straight.
does anyone own an IPOD or a Mac on this site? if so, you should probably get on Apple's message board and start ranting and raving like a lunatic because they do this to their competitors every day to protect their ideas and designs.
ACTUAL TEXT OF ARMADA CEASE AND DESIST LETTER SENT TO ONE SMALL SKI COMPANY
Personally identifiable information has been substituted in square brackets “[abcdefg]”
*** LETTER BEGINS ***
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
Re: Infringing Skis
Our Reference: [reference number]
To Whom It May Concern:
Please be advised that this office represents, and is the intellectual property counsel for, Armada Skis, Inc. of Costa Mesa, California. Armada is a designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality, innovative snow skis, technical ski outerwear, and other products. It has come to our attention that you are currently selling products that infringe on the patent rights of Armada (U.S. Patent No. 7,690,674). Sales of certain [ski company] models (including the [ski models listed here]) constitute patent infringement under U.S. law. As such, Armada requests that you immediately cease and desist your unlawful sale of these models and any other skis that infringe Armada’s patent.
Under federal law, and particularly 35 USC Section 27l, whoever, without authority, makes, uses, sells, or imports any patented invention within or into the United States is an infringer. See, for example, Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Inc. v. Maersk Contrs. USA, Inc., 2010 US App. LEXIS 17181 (Fed Cir. Aug. 18, 2010); Sensonics, Inc. v. Aerosonic Corp., 81 F.3d 1566, 1573 (Fed Cir. 1996) and SEB SA. v. Montgomery Ward & Co., 594 F.3d 1360, 1374 (Fed Cir. 2010). Armada holds patent rights that protect its products. Specifically, please be advised that Armada is the owner of U.S. Patent No. 7,690,674. A copy of this patent is enclosed for your review.
Federal statutes provide that a patent owner may obtain injunctive relief against infringers (35 U.S.C. Section 283) and may recover up to three times the amount of damages found adequate to compensate for the infringement (35 U.S.C. Section 284). In addition, the prevailing party in a patent infringement suit may be entitled to recover its attorneys fees from the other side (35 U.S.C. Section 285) and in some cases, the attorneys fees will exceed the amount of the infringement damages.
We reiterate, [ski company], is selling skis (at least the [ski models]) that fall within the claims of Armada’s U.S. Patent. Absent an arrangement with Armada, we must insist that [ski company] immediately cease selling such skis or any others that fall within the patent. Please provide an accounting of all such skis sold to date, including the wholesale prices, models, sizes and dates sold. We require this information in order to assess damages that may be due to Armada\.
Armada invests heavily in its research and development and protects that investment with patent procurement and enforcement. Armada is willing to discuss an amicable settlement of this matter if you respond promptly.
Please confirm by [date] that [ski company] will meet these demands,
Very truly yours,
[attorney]
Enclosure:
U.S. Patent No. 7,690,674
Cc Armada Skis, Inc.
FUCK YEAH EXOTIC SKIS!!!!!
......the wikileaks of the ski world.
Get the truth out there. And Vibes to whichever small ski manufacturer is getting hit with this.