Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Dyson sues rival Vax over vacuum cleaner design
Dyson has launched legal action against rival manufacturer Vax, claiming the design of its Mach Zen vacuum cleaner is an infringement of the registered design of its first "bagless" Dyson cylinder vacuum, launched 15 years ago.

The company's founder and inventor James Dyson – who revolutionised the domestic appliance market with the product – said the Chinese-owned rival had "flagrantly copied" Dyson's iconic design and pledged to set a precedent on behalf of all designers.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/27/dyson-sues-vax

The thing is though, largely until Dyson came along, other brands just let other brands get on with it. If a company copied a design from someone else where vacs were concerned, some would take it as a compliment rather than be against it. Dyson have been infamous with taking many companies to court over suction claims and lots of other issues, trying to reinforce that Dyson are number one for vacuums and suctions. This bullying tactic hasn't gone unnoticed - Hoover were forever being taken to court by Dyson for copying their Vortex/associated names with Cyclones.

vacmanuk wrote:

True.  Like the boy who always cried wolf.  When the wolf finally comes, no one believes him.  Credibility is shattered.

Carmine D.

vacmanuk wrote:

By the way, does anybody know what Hoover's record was as far as lawsuits were concerned?  There were lot's of "variations"  on the beater bar alone by other manufacturers.

Venson

CarmineD wrote:
What's the issue? I'm stating a likely, if cynical, view for all this. I don't represent or speak for anyone. Yes, a lawsuit shouldn't be brought for these reasons, but doesn't mean it isn't

vacmanuk wrote:
VacmanUK,

I guess putting locks on the door to your home is out of the question, and if a robber or opportunist takes something that’s yours and you want it back...then this makes you an infamous bully.

Any idiot with brain matter can design and build the [what’s mostly a] silly little vacuum cleaner anyway they choose, but Amway (working with Bissell), Hoover UK, Hoover/Maytag, TTI (Hoover USA and VAX, and/or other manufacturers) leach vice lead.  Society needs leaders more than suckers (suck the life from others), and that’s history and a demonstrable fact and not an opinion.

Do you think TTI/Dirt Devil's using Model numbers that parallel Dyson's is an attempt to con the public or is it an attempt to separate and differentiate themselves (from Dyson) in the mind of the public?

http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/01/dirt-devil-launches-high-powered-vacuum-cleaners-195683


Dyson Invents Big

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:

To my knowledge HOOVER had a patent that ran 30 plus years on the beater bars and its agitator.  At that time patents ran longer.  I might be wrong, but I don't recall any vacuum makers violating the HOOVER patent until the protected time expired.  As you know HOOVER also used in concert with the beaters bars the famous slogan: "It beats, as it sweeps, as it cleans."  And the corrollary also printed/inscribed on all HOOVER uprights for many years: HOOVER makes rugs last longer.  No vacuum makers ever sued over the veracity of these HOOVER claims.  Since HOOVER used them for many years without any dissent/copying I presume all believed them to be true and owned/used solely by their originator: HOOVER.

Carmine D.

M00seUK wrote:
The lawsuit is the vehicle to get publicity and tell the story of the communist sponsoring (perhaps) and aiding their manufacture’s in buying up American and UK brand names and then knocking-off or nearly knocking-off ‘the countrymen they sell to’ story needs to get out and be told repeatedly (in the press and in schools).  People in the UK and American need to decide what they need most...  home grown inventions and innovations and protecting these assets that are proven wealth creators and job creators (short and long term) or do they need cheap goods 'screw anyone-at any cost.’


Dyson Invents Big

DysonInventsBig wrote:

The UK trade law is clear.  15 years on design unless product is marketed then 10 years.  Whatever happens earlier.  The issue is: Does the supposed Vax copy violate the law?  The UK courts will determine the answer [fortunately] based on the written law not emotions.  I note with interest Vax's defense.  It's not arguing the letter/time of the law which to me seems like a definite win for Vax, but the principle of the law:  Vax claims it doesn't copy dyson, period end of story.  Vax asserts a cadre of in-house designers to claim credit for the design.  Very interesting IMHO.

Carmine D.

DysonInventsBig wrote:  I dont know DIB, but its a hell of a funny that for all that Dysons remain to be unique, they weren't first to create a clear dust bin or adding colour on their models. How pedantic do you want to become? I don't see past companies taking Dyson to court simply because Dyson have used something similar.

For the record I don't think that Dirt Devil are out to snag Dyson would be customers by using a "DC" code. I'm assuming that they've used up virtually every model number they've had with the preceding "DD/Dirt Devil," letters on past models. After all, in Europe and UK Dirt Devil don't just make floorcare appliances and most of their entire ranges have the "DD" lettering identifier. Also, Dirt Devil as you may know aren't a premium brand and will probably never be a premium brand thanks to their budget builds and market share. Thus consumers aren't going to be easily fooled by a Dyson like model just because Dirt Devil happens to have a "DC" in the model name.

vacmanuk wrote:

Agree with you vacmanuk.  Vacuum and car makers are copycats.  When Lexus launched in 1998 it copied the model numbers and series of Mercedes Benz and BMW on class and motor size.  No lawsuits.  If anything, customers are confused by the alphabets and numbers and don't rely on them for buying.

Carmine D.