Ultra sues just about every other modular power supply manufacturer

Ultra Products, Inc. is trying its hand at that most glorious of corporate traditions: suing the pants off one's competition. The maker of computer components is taking 22 -- yes, twenty two! -- of their competitors to court, claiming to have a patent for modular power supplies since November of 2006. Ultra says they sent several warnings to the companies about the violations and is asking for the legal maximum of three times the damages. The suit actually doesn't accuse the companies of violating the patent, but of being an accomplice to end users who are violating the patent. Oh, and unless we're missing something here, Hewlett Packard filed a modular power supply patent in 2000 -- we certainly recall Screen Savers covering the devices way back in '99.

[Thanks, Mack]

[Nutsy Posted Apr 13th 2008 9:44AM]

True But James Dyson was hardly "The Small Guy" By that time his Vacume cleaners where already selling world wide and he was making a pretty penny...

BTW in no way am i dissing Dyson. The guys a genious fantastic. The real Rags to riches guy.

[dos Posted Apr 13th 2008 9:56AM]

This is Tiger Direct's garbage generic brand, they basically take the lousiest components they can find, slap some bling on them and charge outrageous prices to idiots who don't know good PC parts brands. Check out a TD retail store sometime it's full of this junk.

[dos Posted Apr 17th 2008 2:46AM]

I forgot to mention they also tried to sue Apple for naming a product "Tiger" and they're the ones who bought the CompUSA chain. Wikipedia "Systemax" for more info, and learn some names to avoid like the plague.

[PGPProtectors Posted Apr 13th 2008 9:58AM]

Well that company just convinced me what power supply I'm not using on my next system.

Ultra is off the list.

[Abuzar Posted Apr 13th 2008 10:46AM]

It should never have been on there in the first place. Only two brands on my list.

Corsair
PC Power and Cooling

[Master Bruce Posted Apr 13th 2008 10:13AM]

Why shouldn't they sue? What's the point of patenting something if people can copy your idea and make money off of something you came up with?

Besides, as someone mentioned further up, if you don't take steps to protect your patent you lose it.

[mcaron1234 Posted Apr 13th 2008 11:56AM]

Its trademarks, not patents that you have defend. The classic example is kleenex.

[Master Bruce Posted Apr 14th 2008 1:48AM]

@Matt:
thanks, guess I had that confused.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 10:45AM]

Actually... Apple had a modular PSU in the Quadra 950 back in 1992. I believe that falls in line with being a consumer-grade machine.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 11:57AM]

@ Old Mac Guy,
You're kidding right?
Wow! Apple invented the mouse, touch screen and now we just find out Apple is also the first to have "modular PSU" back in 1992!
:roll eyes.

Hey, did you "build" your own Mac? Upgraded it back 1992?

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 12:25PM]

@kbnguy: You might want to research a bit first before you troll randomly.

http://www.recycledgoods.com/item/16915.aspx

Click the product image. The second image clearly shows a (at least partially) modular power supply.

[Sic Tr4nsit Posted Apr 13th 2008 12:07PM]

while im not too crazy about any type of fanboy, I dont think that was his point, and I dont think he meant it like that.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 12:22PM]

"...being an accomplice to end users who are violating the patent."

Well, looks like I'm done buying from Ultra. They're too lazy / poor to sue end users directly, so they go after the manufacturers while still saying that users are the horrible party in all of this.

[Roller Posted Apr 13th 2008 5:54PM]

Users of engadget, I call for a boycott of Ultra's goods.

[neoprimalgmailcom Posted Apr 13th 2008 10:24PM]

Ultra has every right to sue these companies. Ultra was the first company to release a modular power supply. I don't care who came up with the name 'modular power supply' since it's obvious that HPs patent sounds more like modular in the sense that you can switch it with something else in the PC case, kind of like Antec's modular 900 case. Anyway, God forbid a company that invents something actually gains from licensing it. I hate sue-happy companies, but as it mentions Ultra has tried to get into talks with many of the companies infringing on their patents but of course, since it's neither huge nor popular, the others figure it's better to take a chance in court than actually license the tech.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 17th 2008 10:28AM]

see this link, it refers to a review of a modular power supply for a pc way back in May 2003. Its a high grade power supply that was modified and sold by a company called Performance-PC's. Predates the patient by 3 year. As far as i am aware you cant patient something which already exists so looks like ultra screwed up. They obviously didnt do their research before filing for the patient

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 13th 2008 11:23PM]

I personally really like Ultra Products. Hell My case is a Ultra Alumiunus. But this is a bit childish. They should have pointed out the patients and just asked for royalities (if patients are valid). They threatened and then went straight to sue.

Ultra in my book -2 (10 point scale).

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2008 8:14PM]

The people from Tiger Direct are smart. This is most easiest way to disrupt or even monopoly the market even the first concept of modular power supply was not from them. I found out that some brand stop selling modular power supply by trying to buy a modular power supply from a small brand Rosewill. Their people told me that they and some other brands are discontinuing due to the law sue long time ago.

It is an easy way to stop competition. Microsoft is another example.

Do you like buy an Ultra product now?

Should we go to different forums and let everyone know about this practice?