Popular Wrench Fights a Chinese Rival

[Tinman57]

Sears steals patented tool from an American and competes with the same tool, only made in China.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/popular-wrench-fights-chinese-rival-004542621.html

[Renegade]

I feel sorry for that guy.

Seems like the reality is that large companies can do whatever they want against individuals because regular people often don't have the resources to get justice. Yet another reason to limit the "rights" of companies/legal entities.

[Krishean]

Just saw a Sears commercial on TV for the knockoff wrench

[Renegade]

Just saw a Sears commercial on TV for the knockoff wrench

Shameless. 

[app103]

The company that makes the Max Axess wrench and other tools for Craftsman, the Apex Tool Group, is being acquired by Bain Capital, the company founded by Mitt Romney, in a $1.6 billion deal.

Throughout the presidential campaign, Bain was criticized on the grounds that it encouraged outsourcing by companies it buys at the expense of American workers. Apex makes many of its tools overseas. A company spokesman referred all questions to Sears.

Figures!

[40hz]

Sears has done this sort of thing before.

Sears has lost out doing this sort of thing before.

This time out however, what they have done has greater public exposure thanks to the Internet. And it's so much easier to "bell the cat" than it used to be.

[attach]

[Tinman57]

Sears has done this sort of thing before.

Sears has lost out doing this sort of thing before.

This time out however, what they have done has greater public exposure thanks to the Internet. And it's so much easier to "bell the cat" than it used to be.
(see attachment in previous post)
Given the current political and economic environment, I don't think Sears can possibly win this one. Especially since Craftsman is a name brand in the US geographic regions and occupations hardest hit by the very thing Sears just did with this guy's invention.

Nope. Sears can't win this one. Simply can't. Even if they prevail in court - they still lose.

My only hope is that this gentleman isn't forced to settle with one of those "gag" clauses attached or have to agree to renounce his original claim (i.e. forgive Sears) in order to get it.

The single worst habit the US legal system has gotten into is allowing businesses to do something wrong, and then let them "consent" and pay a fine without being required to admit any wrongdoing. When you have deep pockets, paying wergild is the equivalent of the "get out of jail free" card in the Monopoly game.

And as my grandfather used to say: It's not a real problem if you can buy your way out of it.

+1  EXACTLY!