On Hammocks and Patents.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 05-22-2007, 09:47

Originally Posted by funbun

Is this wiki article accurate? Was it written by a copyright/patent lawyer? Wiki article are fun to read, but because of its open nature, I question the accuracy. Since when did Hennessy invent the hammock?

Good point, Wiki can be fabulously wrong, but when it is, it is generally wrong on details. The meaning of a patent seems pretty general.

However, I know the guy to ask...

Grizz

**Ramble On** · 05-22-2007, 11:06

From the US Patent and Trademark Office...

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac..._U_S_C_271.htm

35 U.S.C. 271 Infringement of patent. - Appendix L Patent Laws

35 U.S.C. 271 Infringement of patent.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, whoever without authority makes, uses, offers to sell, or sells any patented invention, within the United States, or imports into the United States any patented invention during the term of the patent therefor, infringes the patent.

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Gotta say this is news to me, like many others, I was under the impression that one had to be seeking to turn a proffit.

But, as Just Jeff pointed out, lawsuits against individuals wouldn't be cost effective.

**Frolicking Dino** · 05-22-2007, 11:49

Originally Posted by headchange4u

Tom is certainly not involved in the hammocking community the way Pan, Smee, and Ed Speer are. I know that some of this involvement boils down to marketing and trying to sell some of their products, but to me, seeing Pan or Smee at the Winter Campout or attending Speer's SEHHA camp out means a lot to me. BTW, does Tom even hike?

All and all Tom does not have to be a "nice" guy to sell his hammocks. He makes a good product and has made several design contributions to the hammocking community, but his attitude will do him much more harm than good in the long run.

I have to say that after hearing what Tom had done with Warbonnet and others, I didn't even visit the HH booth at TD this year. I've already had a chance to talk with someone who was considering buying a HH since I got back from TD and described how Tom behaves toward other hammock makers. He decided to forego all HH after hearing how Tom behaves.

The attitude will hurt HH more than Tom can begin to imagine. Hammock use is spreading via word of mouth and he can ill afford to have the members of the hammocking community upset enough to recommend people buy hammocks elsewhere.

**Bulldog** · 05-22-2007, 11:52

I feel as though If Tom where to try to sue people for making clones or using a structural ridge line would be, as stated earlier, similar to the music industry sueing the the general user for illeagly downloading music. Would the suits (sp) stop people, I would probably say no, just as free p2p downloading still exists. Thats just my $.02 on that.

**ShakeyLeggs** · 05-22-2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by Just Jeff

I doubt the benefits of suing each DIY'er with a ridgeline would cover the costs of the action.

May not be cost effective in the skeem of things but would probably be the way to go. As the DIY'er would most likely cave under the legal assault whereas a bigger entity would more than likely fight it. It would also send a message that he is serious about protecting his patent.

I don't like what I have been reading here and am concerned about what may be on the horizon. I do support him protecting his patent to a point. Protecting it against other manufactures trying to turn a profit off his work not the DIY'ers. But he should have seen the DIY'er and others coming. As he is one of us. He started as a DIY'er.

**Frolicking Dino** · 05-22-2007, 12:22

As I walked thru the tent city and the last SEHHA hang, I couldn't help but notice that fewer and fewer serious hammockers are using the HH anymore. I think his brand is on the way out and he feels he can turn the tide by trying to push competitors out of business. What he fails to realize is that people get into hammocking via word-of-mouth and if he sours the base community's feelings toward his firm, his sales will decline.

A show of hands -- how many here bought their first hammock based on the recommendation of someone who was already hanging?

**ShakeyLeggs** · 05-22-2007, 12:30

Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

A show of hands -- how many here bought their first hammock based on the recommendation of someone who was already hanging?

Hand raised.

**Coffee** · 05-22-2007, 12:34

I started out with a HH based on what I read on Rock's site and WB.

I think it is a good starter hammock, but the more that I hang the more I found its limitations. I think someone else said it best, the HH is a good starter but people who get into it are quick to switch.

I think one of my issues with the HH direction is that all of his models are basically the same design, just different materials. I think if anything else, this will be what hurts his business enough.

**txulrich** · 05-22-2007, 12:46

Originally Posted by hammock engineer

I started out with a HH based on what I read on Rock's site and WB.

Ditto. I started with a non-asym model, then switched to an expedition 'cause I needed more room. The DIY bug hasn't really bit me yet. More due to time availability then anything else. But then again, I've been more than happy with my HH.

**Ewker** · 05-22-2007, 13:48

IMO HH's have sucked since the very 1st time I laid in one. That was 2 yrs ago at Trail Days. I don't like the bottom entry at all, to much hassle to move things around after you crawl in.