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Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

#1
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4/15/08 at 3:49pm
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After Monster Cable issued a C&D order to Blue Jeans Cable a few weeks ago against their Tartan cable line, today Blue Jeans' president struck back.

"... I do not compromise with bullies and I would rather spend fifty thousand dollars on defense than give you a dollar of unmerited settlement funds"
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#2
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4/15/08 at 6:37pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

"Not only am I unintimadated by litagation, I sometimes rather miss it."
If only I could crush my enemies so utterly and completely as has Mr.Denke has done, well done sir! Sometimes the big dog bites off more than they can chew, I howled when I read the paragraph that begins "After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, I spent nineteen years in litagation practice...." priceless, simply priceless.

I know enough to know I don't know enough!

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#3
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4/15/08 at 7:16pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

While I am no so naive as to believe that that letter settled the matter, it was beautiful to read.

Still, I do find it interesting that sympathies seem to lie automatically with the perceived "little guy", regardless of the merits of Monster's complaints, which none of us are in a position to evaluate (a fact acknowledged in the stub in the link.)

What if Blue Jeans did infringe on Monster Cable's patents?

--
H
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#4
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4/15/08 at 7:20pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

I find myself more and more often reading legal documents, courtroom filings, and letters like this one just for fun. I'm following almost half a dozen civil litigation cases at the moment, and I almost wish I had gone into law instead of engineering.

Alas.

But, in all honesty, I know that I made the right career decision, and that letters of response like Mr. Denke's serve to instill a "Grass-Is-Greener" longing in me that is misplaced and ill-begotten. Law is very hard work, and heroic moments of this magnitude are few and far between. Nevertheless, I do not exaggerate when I say that Mr. Denke has made it on my list of heroes.

Though a very few people go into law in order to perpetrate scams, the vast majority, I believe, go into law in order to prevent the perpetration of scams. It always thrills my heart to see one of these idealists get an opportunity to strike a significant blow against bully litigants, especially in the patent arena.

Thanks for the link. That was a great read.

-Brian
Come, Rubidia. Let's blow this epoch.

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#5
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4/15/08 at 7:27pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
I find myself more and more often reading legal documents, courtroom filings, and letters like this one just for fun. I'm following almost half a dozen civil litigation cases at the moment, and I almost wish I had gone into law instead of engineering.
Same here except: 1- it is of course possible to do both 2- I believe that the rigors of engineering actually help in legal education and practice 3- I am not following half a dozen litigation cases

--
H
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#6
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4/15/08 at 7:34pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
What if Blue Jeans did infringe on Monster Cable's patents?
Simple. Then Monster will follow through, prevail, and likely put Mr. Denke out of business.

But I do know what you mean about how, in the absense of evidence or data, sympathies tend to go with the "little guy". I don't consider this a good thing, especially to the extent that the "little guy" intends to use said sympathy, instead of evidence, to influence a jury.

But that's what makes it exciting, isn't it? At this point, it's a poker game, and all the players have their best poker faces on. There won't be any cards on the table until discovery, and we won't see all the cards until the trial. Of course, if someone folds, we still won't see all the cards, but we'll definitely know who had the best hand.

-Brian
Come, Rubidia. Let's blow this epoch.

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#7
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4/15/08 at 7:52pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

From what I know about the business practices of the respective companies, I find it very hard to believe that Blue Jeans Cable is infringing on any patents. Monster is a company engaged heavily in high end audio bullshit, which tells me that their patents are for things of dubious value, done mainly for the purpose of making marketing claims (as in "See? Our design is patented, so it's obviously really special, and will cause (insert any number of subjectivist audio terms eaten up by those who fall for such claims)!"). Blue Jeans doesn't participate in such nonsense, so it makes no sense why they would "infringe" by duplicating it. I wish them well.
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#8
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4/16/08 at 2:42am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Dang, I wish I were able to write a response to a potential plaintiff's claim that is so erudite and damning in its analysis of the plaintiff's claim!

This is going to make for very interesting reading going forward, if Monster's lawyers don't back off and continue.
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#9
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4/16/08 at 6:44am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Nice letter.

Philip Hamm
Moderator Emeritus

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#10
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4/16/08 at 7:03am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by Holadem

What if Blue Jeans did infringe on Monster Cable's patents?

--
H

If that were so, couldn't they simply have provided the smoking gun evidence, vis-a-vis their patent info, so as to make this clear cut? It will be interesting to see how this turns out in any case....

It takes 52 pounds of pressure to rupture an eyeball...

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#11
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4/16/08 at 7:35am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

If I read that right, Monster's claim, in a nut shell, is that Blue Jeans is infringing on Monster's patents by using RCA style connectors on their cables. Seems pretty absured to me.
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#12
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4/16/08 at 8:13am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Further, if any of these patents or trademarks has been licensed to any entity, please provide me with copies of the licensing agreements. I assume that Monster Cable International, Ltd., in Bermuda, listed on these patents, is an IP holding company and that Monster Cable's principal US entity pays licensing fees to the Bermuda corporation in order to shift income out of the United States and thereby avoid paying United States federal income tax on those portions of its income; my request for these licensing agreements is specifically intended to include any licensing agreements, including those with closely related or sham entities, within or without the Monster Cable "family," and without regard to whether those licensing agreements are sham transactions for tax shelter purposes only or whether they are bona fide arm's-length transactions.
He's gonna send the IRS after them! I love it!

Blue Jeans has great, reasonably priced cables and an excellent shipping policy to Canada (USPS at about cost). And their Web site is truly informative.

Kurt! ATTACK! *GROWL!*
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#13
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4/16/08 at 8:32am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Wow, that was an awesome response letter. Good to see someone standing up to the big companies that spend far too much of their time and effort on BS marketing than creating value in their audio products. Makes me want to order some cables from BJC just to support them in their fight against Monster.

Here's my favourite line from the letter:
Quote:
I assume that Monster Cable International, Ltd., in Bermuda, listed on these patents, is an IP holding company and that Monster Cable's principal US entity pays licensing fees to the Bermuda corporation in order to shift income out of the United States and thereby avoid paying United States federal income tax on those portions of its income;
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#14
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4/16/08 at 10:35am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

> If I read that right, Monster's claim, in a nut shell, is that Blue Jeans is infringing on Monster's patents by using RCA style connectors on their cables.

Yeah, how many companies use those connectors?
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#15
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4/16/08 at 2:01pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

"...the less my customers think my products resemble Monster's, in form or in function, the better."

Awesome!
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#16
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4/16/08 at 3:29pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Thanks for the link, that article rules.

Shame on Monster.
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#17
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4/16/08 at 3:52pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

It's too bad the story didn't reference the patent at issue. Using the PTO's search engine on the assignee name "monster cable" retrieved 156 patents, about 40% utility and 60% design.

Edit: The linked original story referenced these design patents in the original complaint:

Quote:
It appears that the design of the connector portion of the Tartan Cable component video, composite video, stereo audio cable, and coaxial digital cable infringes a variety of our client's design patents, including patent nos. D456,363, D366,863, D367,036, D376,580, and D366,862

You can retrieve these for free in .pdf format using PAT2PDF - Free PDF copies of patents: Download and print! .

Feline videophiles Susie and Dukie.

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#18
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4/17/08 at 5:48am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

So Monster's legal team did at least throw some "evidence" along with the C&D letter, that is a bit more tenable of a position than I had earlier thought. Whether or not there is merit is up to a court to decide. Personally, I will root for the little guy in this situation as I think Monster's products, while of reasonable quality, are ridiculously overpriced.

It takes 52 pounds of pressure to rupture an eyeball...

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#19
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4/17/08 at 12:25pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

I found this article a few minutes ago, interesting stuff! Time to go buy some new cables from Blue Jeans.

Interview with Kurt Denke, the man who shut "Monster Cable" up.
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#20
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4/17/08 at 1:38pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Kurt's response was superbly worded, but I haven't seen confirmation that it "shut Monster Cable up". Where did that title come from?
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#21
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4/17/08 at 2:58pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Next time I need a cable, I am buying from Blue Jeans!

-Keith
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#22
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4/17/08 at 7:43pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
As for signing a licensing agreement for intellectual property which I have not infringed: that will not happen, under any circumstances, whether it makes economic sense or not.
This statement leads me to believe thatMr. Denke must not have shareholders or other (or at least many) purse-string holders calling the shots in his company. Most shareholders, insurance companies, investors, etc. would insist on taking out a license on uninfringed intellectual property if it meant saving even a dollar over fighting the good fight in court.

I consider that unfortunate, and I'm quite glad that Mr. Denke has the freedom and wherewithal to stand up to the litigious bullying that such investor-owner-shareholder fear and acquiescence has fostered.

So where can I buy some of this guy's cables?

-Brian
Come, Rubidia. Let's blow this epoch.

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#23
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4/17/08 at 9:00pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc L
I found this article a few minutes ago, interesting stuff! Time to go buy some new cables from Blue Jeans.

Interview with Kurt Denke, the man who shut "Monster Cable" up.
That was one fellatial interview.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
This statement leads me to believe thatMr. Denke must not have shareholders or other (or at least many) purse-string holders calling the shots in his company.
He said as much in the interview.

--
H
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#24
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4/17/08 at 9:15pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
So where can I buy some of this guy's cables?
Click the link off the HTF home page. Blue Jeans is a forum sponsor.

Uncle Joe: I'll never marry you, Selma Plout!  You may as well take off that wedding dress and put it back in your Hopeless Chest!

--Petticoat Junction--

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#25
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4/18/08 at 5:01am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
He said as much in the interview.
Oh, right. Sorry. I'll go read that before I comment further. Thanks.
Quote:
Click the link off the HTF home page. Blue Jeans is a forum sponsor.
Okay, now THAT I knew, hence the smiley. Thanks for looking out for me, though. You guys are the greatest. (Seriously.)

-Brian
Come, Rubidia. Let's blow this epoch.

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#26
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4/18/08 at 9:12pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
Kurt's response was superbly worded, but I haven't seen confirmation that it "shut Monster Cable up". Where did that title come from?

from the the guy who posted the interview. see link.
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#27
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4/18/08 at 9:31pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
Kurt's response was superbly worded, but I haven't seen confirmation that it "shut Monster Cable up". Where did that title come from?

from the the guy who posted the interview. see link.
You misunderstood my question. Where does the title in the linked article come from? On what basis does the interviewer know Monster Cable is "shut up"?
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#28
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4/19/08 at 2:46am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

After reading the letter, I think Monster Cable is an even bigger scumbag company than I originally thought. Their crap is made in China, using labour so low in cost that it is only one step above slave labour, and they still have the gall to charge 80 dollars or more for a set of cables. Now they go after a competitor in some Bullshit extortion attempt. What is worse is they go after a company that at least still employs Americans to manufacture their cables. I wouldn't cross the street to piss on Monster Cable's headquarters if it was on fire and I sure as hell will never purchase another set of cables from them either.

When you have to shoot...shoot. Don't talk!

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#29
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4/19/08 at 5:22am
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

Last year I built a new house including a new theater. I figured that I would support one of the HTF sponsors. I had Blue Jean cable make up 25' length cables of s-video, component, & HDMI to run from my equipment up front to my projector in back. Very nice top quality cables
Cave Country Weather
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#30
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4/22/08 at 3:46pm
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Re: Blue Jeans lays a smackdown on Monster Cable

I first tried Blue Jeans Cables in 06 when I needed an HDMI cable. I've delt with them several times since, including one return that was processed quickly and efficently. The cables have all been very high quality, and the prices and service both excellant. All this just re-enforces my already very high opinion of them.
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