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

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.

DysonInventsBig wrote: vacmanuk wrote:
I'll address one point.

Of...  DCC017 | DC17 or DCC019 | DC19
Given that Red TTI has a history of taking what they did not create and then saying Red ran out of name/combination choices or letter/number combination choices is laughable.

DysonInventsBig wrote:

The issues are: Do the DD models with similar numbers pawn themselves off as dysons and thereby profit from doing so?  Proving the latter is very hard to do if DD vacuum sales exceed those of dyson sales.  And, last I heard they do and have for many years.  Using similar numbers as dyson is funny IMHO and more a barb at Sir James and dyson.  Your emotional insanity over it is extremely laughable to me.  I suspect when Lexus emulated the models numbers of the prime luxury car makers MB and BMW in 1998 it was for the same reason[s].  As I said most customers pay little or no attention to the alphabet and number models whether cars or vacuums.  As Shakespeare says:  Much to do about nothing.  And: Me thinks you doth protest too much.  Have your pick/both.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

I don't buy/accept the glowing dyson self-made claims that its sales lead the industry.  Show me the proof.

Carmine D. 

Well if you think my suggestion that the TTi policy of using similar Dyson codes are laughable, I think you're under false pretences to think buyers could ever be confused between a Dyson and a Dirt Devil.

vacmanuk wrote:

As many consumers find it laughable that the cheaper TTI HOOVER models [$100-$250] continually whoop dysons [$500 plus] in the CR ratings and rankings.  Dyson just doesn't get any respect by the industry experts.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Speaking of laughable.  How do you think CR got the name of Clown Reports ?