Patented Tube Screamer + RAT pedal

[boomertech]

Well it's not approved as of this posting, but it has been in protected patent application status since Jan 2011 and should be getting close to an examiners approval or rejection. Here is a drawing from the patent application (US Patent#8471136):

It is basically a Tube Screamer and RAT variant. It has been protected by the patent application process for 5+ years now. I really hope this pat app gets rejected, because if it passes then a whole lot of builders and companies would be subject to litigation from Michael Fuller (Fulltone).

Companies and people can be litigated for partial patent infringement. So builders that make a Tube Screamer variant or RAT variant would be subject if the app is approved.

Now, if this was only just an attempt to protect his pedal for a few years using the pat app laws, then it was brilliant. It also makes him look like he has something brand new to offer.

EDIT: I misread the patent as an application. The patent was granted on June 2013.

-Frank

 

[JonnyAngle]

I didn't think you could patent a circuit

 

[boomertech]

I didn't think you could patent a circuit

Circuit patents happen all of the time. They are usually patents of something new and unique.

Edit: A recent example is the Redeemer buffer circuit patented by Creation Audio.

-Frank

 

[nshuman]

@boomertech

I am totally ignorant of US patent laws (even though I really should know better given my business) but, is there a procedure for submitting prior art at this stage of the process? Or can this only be addressed by interested third parties in the form of litigation after the fact?

Not surprising that this comes from Fuller, and I would not hold my breath on him not trying to bully others with this.

 

[boomertech]

@boomertech

I am totally ignorant of US patent laws (even though I really should know better given my business) but, is there a procedure for submitting prior art at this stage of the process? Or can this only be addressed by interested third parties in the form of litigation after the fact?

Not surprising that this comes from Fuller, and I would not hold my breath on him not trying to bully others with this.

Great question, but I don't know as much as I should either. I do believe that once the patent office approves your application for review, that your artwork is made public along with the app. When that happens the application with its artwork is protected by law. So you can apply for a patent (with no hope of getting it) and let the slow wheels of the patent process protect you for a short while.

I don't think he would be able to sue others that have prior products until a patent was granted to him. And I don't think anyone can legally challenge the application, only parts or in whole a granted patent. But that is only what I think, so don't take it as correct.

Amazon has been granted a patent for photographing merchandise for display! I do think Amazon was demonstrating how stupid patents are.

-Frank

 

[bassbrad]

But isn't his circuit model based on pre-existing work of other designers and this circuit is a derivative and not a unique creation? Will that mean he can use the actual creators.

 

[boomertech]

But isn't his circuit model based on pre-existing work of other designers and this circuit is a derivative and not a unique creation? Will that mean he can use the actual creators.

Yes, exactly!

Look at what Amazon did for their photography patent. All of it was common knowledge.

-Frank

 

[bassbrad]

I should add that Mr. Fuller is on my persona non grata list due to threats made to a dear friend of mine that chose to abandon his designs rather than litigate. For that reason I will never own a Fulltone pedal.

 

[boomertech]

I should add that Mr. Fuller is on my persona non grata list due to threats made to a dear friend of mine that chose to abandon his designs rather than litigate. For that reason I will never own a Fulltone pedal.

I don't know of the dealings of Mr. Fuller, but it seems that many people have a poor view of him.

-Frank

 

[friendlybass]

I'd be a huge fan of this type of pedal. It sucks that its being kept off the market due to silliness.
I appreciate the need to protect your designs but jeez man when a bunch of your products are clones of other peoples stuff sitting on a design you aren't currently selling seems petty

 

[CHILDISHGAMBINO]

Just did a quick Googling of Fuller. He sure seems like an *******.

 

[nshuman]

Just did a quick Googling of Fuller. He sure seems like an *******.

He "invented" the MXR Distortion+, Univibe, DOD 250, Voodoo Drive, the concept of Tape Echo/Delay, the Octavia, the Wah, etc...

 

[nshuman]

Well it's not approved as of this posting, but it has been in protected patent application status since Jan 2011 and should be getting close to an examiners approval or rejection. Here is a drawing from the patent application (US Patent#8471136):

It is basically a Tube Screamer and RAT variant. It has been protected by the patent application process for 5+ years now. I really hope this pat app gets rejected, because if it passes then a whole lot of builders and companies would be subject to litigation from Michael Fuller (Fulltone).

Companies and people can be litigated for partial patent infringement. So builders that make a Tube Screamer variant or RAT variant would be subject if the app is approved.

Now, if this was only just an attempt to protect his pedal for a few years using the pat app laws, then it was brilliant. It also makes him look like he has something brand new to offer.

-Frank

It looks like it is this pedal:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Go forth and build your own:

Guitar FX Layouts: Fulltone Plimsoul

 

[Mugre]

We've had professional dealings with him. None have been pleasant. We no longer accept his products for repair and I personally would never buy any Fulltone product new or used. He's a real piece work.

Mugre

 

[mmbongo]

The Fulltone OCD is to this day the worst sounding pedal I have ever owned. Glad I returned it, and glad I don't own any of Fulltones's other crappy pedals.

 

[Worldeeeter]

I'm curious - how would a pedal like the Plimsoul perform in low frequencies (if used with a bass)?

 

[kleinenenten]

Just look d up some stuff because of this thread. Didn't know all this negative stuff before. Surprised I've never heard it considering the love for the OCD etc. around here.

 

[Aidenn7]

that's one nasty patent.. for a guy who just copies others pedals..

 

[jwr]

Good luck suing all the people who clones those pedals! hahahaha! There's no way in hell he'd be able to muscle his way into winning. All you'd have to do is change the name of your pedals to not reflect these circuits. He'd have to have your schematics and prove they are clones to have any kind of case. It's just not likely. It would literally cost them more money to fight people than it'd be worth. Silly bastards.

 

[seanm]

Circuit patents happen all of the time. They are usually patents of something new and unique.

Edit: A recent example is the Redeemer buffer circuit patented by Creation Audio.

-Frank

Do you have a number for the redeemer patent, or a search string? I love the redeemer and would like to see how they do it