so1om
Joined: May 10, 2012
Posts: 492
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Posted on Aug 07 2014 12:36 PM
Regarding patents, body shapes, and all that.
I worked at Weber Grill for a time. I designed their 2 smokers, 26 3/4 kettle, a few other things.
They NEVER thought of patenting the Weber Kettle. The only protection they have falls under a trademark.. a bowl shape and lid (the kettle), 3 legs to support it (and the 2 wheels) and a single handle on top of the lid.
From there they've been able to sue, etc (often winning) based on trademark. This has also extended into greeting cards, advertisements, july 4th paper plates, etc. ANYTHING that depicts a "weber" looking kettle grill.
Funny.. just before I was laid off, they filed over 15 patents that I had a hand in designing either solely or part of a group. I should have been listed as an inventor. Somehow they "forgot" me. Live and learn..
They make a good product, but they are horrible to work for.
Additionally, it's a lie about the kettle originally being used as a buoy in Lake Michigan. it always was intended to be a grill. they added the story for "romance".
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Aug 07 2014 02:28 PM
so1om wrote:
Regarding patents, body shapes, and all that.
I worked at Weber Grill for a time. I designed their 2 smokers, 26 3/4 kettle, a few other things.
They NEVER thought of patenting the Weber Kettle. The only protection they have falls under a trademark.. a bowl shape and lid (the kettle), 3 legs to support it (and the 2 wheels) and a single handle on top of the lid.
From there they've been able to sue, etc (often winning) based on trademark. This has also extended into greeting cards, advertisements, july 4th paper plates, etc. ANYTHING that depicts a "weber" looking kettle grill.
Funny.. just before I was laid off, they filed over 15 patents that I had a hand in designing either solely or part of a group. I should have been listed as an inventor. Somehow they "forgot" me. Live and learn..
They make a good product, but they are horrible to work for.
Additionally, it's a lie about the kettle originally being used as a buoy in Lake Michigan. it always was intended to be a grill. they added the story for "romance".
I spent time working for Charbroil in the grill industry shortly after finishing college. One of the first things in the hiring process was having me sign away any potential future ideas for $1. Oh well...there was no creativity anyway. Everything we worked on was simply reverse engineering existing designs from other manufacturers.
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so1om
Joined: May 10, 2012
Posts: 492
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Posted on Aug 19 2014 12:14 PM
I had/have no intention of making money from the patents. legally I should have been listed as an inventor for having the "a-ha" moment
also.. they cannot make the "future idea" stick.
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Feb 08 2015 09:36 PM
This just tweeted:
Eastwood Guitars @EastwoodGuitars 2h2 hours ago
Two new #crowdfunding projects off to the races The May Queen... … and the Surfacaster...](http://eastwoodcustoms.com/projects/eastwood-surfcaster/)
It's for reals, but they want you to prove your passion with a deferred gratification.
— Squink Out!
Last edited: Feb 08, 2015 21:37:43
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GangsterNo1
Joined: Apr 05, 2012
Posts: 17
Manchester, England
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Posted on Mar 03 2015 05:50 AM
Looks like this is happening, enough people have signed up (me included). There are some interesting comments from Mike Robinson at Eastwood in answer to various questions around stuff like the neck shape, colours, etc.
Here
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