Nov 30 (Reuters) - Hasbro Inc (HAS.N) won a victory over rival Buzz Bee Toys when a federal court banned the privately held rival from making or selling anything that uses Hasbro's patent for certain toy water guns.
The decision came about five months after Hasbro filed suit against Buzz Bee accusing it of infringing its U.S. patent relating to its Nerf Super Soaker water products. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Massachusetts.
"We are very pleased with the result," Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness said on Tuesday. An attorney representing Buzz Bee did not return a call seeking comment.
The decision came about five months after Hasbro filed suit against Buzz Bee accusing it of infringing its U.S. patent relating to its Nerf Super Soaker water products. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Massachusetts.
"We are very pleased with the result," Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness said on Tuesday. An attorney representing Buzz Bee did not return a call seeking comment.
An interesting piece of trivia is Buzz Bee Toys was originally founded by former key staff from Larami, the toy company who were the original developers of..yup, the original Super Soaker, before it was acquired by Hasbro..
Thing is, Hasbro might go after Buzz Bee because they are a genuine competitor but there are literally dozens of other water blaster manufacturers that boast similar air pressure blasters and seem to get through fine. Some of them are almost blatant rip offs.. for instance, you know those hot new Saturator motorised water blasters we've been talking about? Well they do more than just motorised blasters.. check out the STR-50 "Tornado"..
I'm thinking that looks PRETTY much like a Flashflood to me... but wait.. check out this offering: the STR40:
But hang on.. doesn't that look quite a bit like the Buzz Bee Water Warriors Gremlin:
So what do you reckon? Law suit waiting to happen on all fronts?:)
UPDATE 1-Hasbro wins patent case against Buzz Bee : Reuters.com
Definitely.
ReplyDeleteCopy and Paste! :P
ReplyDelete"BUZZ BEE, I'M A DISAPPOINT".
ReplyDeleteHASBRO IS A TROLL. But I can't blame them though... They've pretty much cornered the market on blasters and water shooters, and well, I can't blame Buzz Bee ether.
ReplyDeleteZack - www.jzwt.blogspot.com
P.S. care if I do a story on this too W/ your pics, and copy & paste what the spokes person said & all??
Can you post a link to where you got that press release from?
ReplyDeletei found it ot at this website about 2 weeks before this was posted. this is the website i found it at :
ReplyDeletewww.marketwatch.com/story/hasbro-inc-obtains-permanent-injunction-from-buzz-bee-toys-for-patent-infringement-2010-11-30?reflink=MW_news_stmpeks
^Who are you I'm das nerfer.
ReplyDeleteI think those knockoffs got through because they look the same, but only use basic air pressure. So it probably doesn't mess with any patents. I don't think you can sue someone just because of looks.
ReplyDeleteCould you find out if the Saturator 50 is actually the FF? I looked at both pictures and every last detail is the same. Could there be a deal going on or does Hasbro own the "Tech Group" or what? I want someone to get it and find out! How much do they cost?
ReplyDeleteThey have the '50 on Amazon for the low low price of 12.99! If I had more than a dollar I would buy it, but I'm broke. Please please please please please please please please get one!
ReplyDelete