Malibu Surf Band?

[Dandy]

Well, I remember last year when a lot of folks were beating up Tige for the adjustable - via remote - AVX. It is beginning to look as if they set a new standard. Below is a link to the new Malibu Surf Band - rider remote to control wave. Rumor has it that Nautique is releasing something similar. The next couple weeks will become interesting with the new boat releases. Any word from Tige on their 2016 launch?
http://www.malibuboats.com/news/pres...surf-band.html

[mnpracing]

Any word from Tige on their 2016 launch?

I hear there's some really cool stuff for the 2016 models...

[Timmy!]

Ouch! They called Tige out in the video:

Designed and patented long before any imitation..

[CarFanatic]

seems like a rip off of avx...

[Bad05]

Easy to claim when you released it a year after your competition......ha! Also, that intro video was horrible.....her head even moved back and forth as she read the screen. I love how they act like it's something new! I will say the band itself is nice and easier to wear!

Ouch! They called Tige out in the video:

[117AJ]

I will say the band itself is nice and easier to wear!

With the Malibu band you need to bring your arm/hands together not really ideal while surfing and making changes. No problem just cruising along behind the boat, however I don't think it will be ideal if you are using the remote to do a transfer side to side or something along those lines. With the Tige version you can keep your normal stance and hand/arm position.

[talltigeguy]

With the Malibu band you need to bring your arm/hands together not really ideal while surfing and making changes. No problem just cruising along behind the boat, however I don't think it will be ideal if you are using the remote to do a transfer side to side or something along those lines. With the Tige version you can keep your normal stance and hand/arm position.

I agree. I bet we see Malibu owners just converting the wristband to a wriststrap exactly like Tige has done here.

Seriously interesting that Malibu put out a patent 2 years ago, but did not release it. Sounds like a calculated move to be able to sue everyone they want since they made out OK in the Nautique Surf System lawsuit. It is really something that the patent flew under the radar of anyone on the Malibu crew. Nobody mentioned this device in the last 2 years.

[Bad05]

They are completely different systems IMO. The BU system controls the wedge, gate and speed where Tige's controls the TAPS3. The fact that the brands use different systems to generate the surf wake should eliminate any issues shouldn't it? I can't imagine Tige wouldn't have checked on a competing patent 2-3 years ago.....

[D&P Powell]

Can they really patent a remote, regardless of what it controls? I might be thinking too general here, but I have a hard time understanding where anyone would have a legal leg to stand on here. I keep thinking TV remotes, Radio Control Remotes, Stereo Remotes, etc., etc.

[Bad05]

Exactly!

[Dandy]

Can they really patent a remote, regardless of what it controls? I might be thinking too general here, but I have a hard time understanding where anyone would have a legal leg to stand on here. I keep thinking TV remotes, Radio Control Remotes, Stereo Remotes, etc., etc.

Yes you could easily patent that. Any function that has not been previously controlled by a remote control could easily be patented to do so. They could also patent it being in a band.

The question would be is what exactly is patented. If they did not apply for the patent (assuming similar to what Tige did with AVX) prior to Tige releasing or even marketing the AVX the patent would not be validated as there is already product on the market. They could add a feature and patent the remote control of that specific feature/function. Patent law is very specific and a patent can be on one claim or may contain several claims, all of which would be protected under 1 patent.

Things to consider however. The average patent lawsuit (based on information from our patent attorney as we have a current infringement issue) if drawn out in court averages $1,000,000 in attorney fees and court fees. Granted, if there is a suit and it is lost, the party infringing is responsible to cover the fees along with 3X the $$$ lost. Stiff penalties but the patent holder has to be willing to lay down the coin. Sometimes getting to the market 1st may be better than waiting for a patent, which may be exactly what Tige did.

[Bad05]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[Booms]

Why not release it right away when the testing is complete and have the standard "Patent Pending" phrase?

[Dandy]

Why not release it right away when the testing is complete and have the standard "Patent Pending" phrase?

That is what most people do. Once the Patent application is submitted it becomes Patent Pending. Truth be told, I have tried to keep my patents pending as long as possible. During the pending stage, the inventor can make slight changes to the application and NONE of the claims being applied for are available to the public. Once the patent is accepted and assigned a #, it is public information. Once public, the competition could make a slight change and create something similar that is different enough to work around and possibly receive it's own patent.

If I had to guess, the Patent held by Malibu on the remote feature may be relative to the way it attaches to the body of the rider along with possibly the ability to control things such as wedge and gates. The verbiage would be VERY specific.

I am sure if someone searched hard enough they could find the patent.

[dingleberry]

I am sure if someone searched hard enough they could find the patent.

Someone posted this over on malibucrew:

Claims of the 8,578,873 patent:

1. A boat configured to generate a starboard side surf wake for at least right-foot-forward wake surfing and a port side surf wake for at least left-foot-forward wake surfing, said port side surf wake different from said starboard side surf wake, the boat comprising:
a port side upright water diverter movable between a first and second position, wherein one of said first and second positions produces said starboard side surf wake;
a starboard side upright water diverter movable between a first and second position, wherein one of said first and second positions produces said port side surf wake;
a controller responsive to user input into an input device; and
one or more actuators responsive to said controller to move said port side water diverter from one of said first and second positions to the other of said first and second positions, and move said starboard side water diverter from one of said first and second positions to the other of said first and second positions, wherein when said port side water diverter produces said starboard side surf wake for right-foot-forward wake surfing, a port side wake is substantially unsuitable for left-foot-forward wake surfing and when said starboard side water diverter produces said port side surf wake for left-foot-forward wake surfing, a starboard side wake is substantially unsuitable for right-foot-forward wake surfing.

11. The boat of claim 1, wherein said controller is responsive to rider input.

12. The boat of claim 11, wherein said rider input is wirelessly transmitted to said boat.

13. The boat of claim 12, wherein said wireless transmission originates from one of a rider wrist worn device or fob.