Seven Towns Infringement on eBay - All of EU

As someone who is vehemently against KOs even I think this is ridiculous. Seven Towns is tarnishing the name of Erno Rubik with these ludicrous actions. Not only are they wrong but to have different rules in different countries is just plain stupid.
 
Phinagin said:
Actually both of those definitions say that the lines must be straight, you have to "read between the lines".

The first definition states "bars that are parallel", and since parallel lines must be straight by definition, the lines on cube must be straight.
The second definition states "to form a series of squares or rectangles". If you can find a true square or rectangle without straight lines, I would be very impressed.

So no, the two definitions do not include the phrase "straight lines" but by using the context of the definition, it does refer to that.

If the patent for Seven Towns does say "grid shape", then any cube with rounded edges, centers, or corners should theoretically be legal. I guess we may be seeing more puzzles similar in exterior appearance to gans 356, meiying, zhisheng, etc.
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IMO grid shape is kinda up for interpretation and even grid with your definition is slightly flexible and could cover mostly square pieces. I'm not a lawyer though.

Another thing is that they still are parallel lines. If you put a line through the center of each row then they are parallel. It doesn't ever say that the pieces them self are the grid but they are placed in a grid shape. Like I said not a lawyer so if any one with a law back ground would like to clear this up that would be great!
 
I thought of something else. in the EU the the exclusive trademark could not exist without the exclusive patent. if there was no patent then there would be no monopoly from the start and so no trademark beyond the logo. you could argue that the trademark, in the sense that it makes free market competition impossible, was absolutely without a doubt a windfall to the patent owner and as such should lie exclusively with the patent holder (currently no one).

the original logo used by rubik's was text "rubik's cube". the logo has since been changed to include a picture of the toy probably to establish this grey area of trademark squating. that does not mean that you have 43 quintillion trademarked two dimensional logos. no corporation can be awarded that many logo's. thats like saying any picture of the clouds in the sky in any configuration is a trademark. any letters in the alphabet in any sequence is a trademark? its clear ********. the courts failed.
 
One thing I can say for sure now is that people won't be selling their non-Rubik 3x3's they have in their possession for any reason.

Keep your unused 3x3 speed cubes, even if they are old or not the best one out there at the moment.
 
LNZ said:
One thing I can say for sure now is that people won't be selling their non-Rubik 3x3's they have in their possession for any reason.

Keep your unused 3x3 speed cubes, even if they are old or not the best one out there at the moment.
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Just make sure it doesn't cross international borders (or visit the EU at any point) and you're all set.
 
biscuit said:
I honestly don't agree that cubing is a sport. It's a competitive activity but not a sport. Here is the definition I found on "sport"

An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

I guess you COULD argue that you are exerting your fingers but is any one actually going to argue that it is physically challenging to cube for a long period of time? (And then there is chess... I love you chess but your NOT a sport)
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I believe the International Olympic Committee would beg to differ. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is one of the largest sports federations in the world, and is officially recognized by the IOC as a sports federation. ( See http://www.olympic.org/chess ) Given this fact, I see no reason to think that cubing is not a sport. The problem with the definition of "sport" that you are using is that it's too narrow. Most words have multiple meanings. By way of analogy, the term "meat" can mean specifically mammal flesh, but in another sense it can also refer to poultry, nuts, fruit, and a variety of other things. (Just trying to get to the meat of the issue. :cool:)
 
Tempus said:
I believe the International Olympic Committee would beg to differ. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is one of the largest sports federations in the world, and is officially recognized by the IOC as a sports federation. ( See http://www.olympic.org/chess ) Given this fact, I see no reason to think that cubing is not a sport. The problem with the definition of "sport" that you are using is that it's too narrow. Most words have multiple meanings. By way of analogy, the term "meat" can mean specifically mammal flesh, but in another sense it can also refer to poultry, nuts, fruit, and a variety of other things. (Just trying to get to the meat of the issue. :cool:)
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To be honest, cubing arguably involves even more physical exertion than chess so in that sense, cubing should be considered a sport.
 
I just stumbled across this article:

http://www.reddie.co.uk/news-and-resources/ip-developments/rubiks-cube-unlocking-3d-trade-marks

There are strict rules surrounding the registrability of three dimensional shapes as trade marks. These rules aim to prevent an ‘abuse’ of the trade mark system that would arise from the grant of an indefinite monopoly right on the shape of an article in commerce. The basis of Simba Toys’ invalidity action was that the protection afforded to the Rubik’s cube was in violation of these rules.
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The outcome of the Simba case has gone against this aim and the court has essentially granted Seven Towns a monopoly on 3x3 cubes.

Rubik's brand is clearly inferior to the popular speed cube brands from our perspective. The Rubik's product is not "fit for purpose" when it comes to breaking records and it is wrong that other manufacturers should not be allowed to create better products.
 
Logiqx said:
... it is wrong that other manufacturers should not be allowed to create better products.
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Anyone can make cubes. You just can't SELL them.

Also, the only thing vendors have to do to work around this is to sell THROUGH 7towns. In other words, they need to enter in a contractual agreement with 7towns that provides both parties with some cut of the profit. I'm sure 7towns will agree to just about anything, because they will be increasing their net profits for literally no reason.
 
mDiPalma said:
Anyone can make cubes. You just can't SELL them.
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Ok. Cube companies need to become charities, giving free cubes to needy cubers. They can be funded by public donations which may or may not come from cubers. I jest of course...

mDiPalma said:
Also, the only thing vendors have to do to work around this is to sell THROUGH 7towns. In other words, they need to enter in a contractual agreement with 7towns that provides both parties with some cut of the profit. I'm sure 7towns will agree to just about anything, because they will be increasing their net profits for literally no reason.
Click to expand...

That thought had also occurred to me but it may not be so straightforward. Seven Towns would need to be satisfied with the build quality and cubes which can be pulled apart into small pieces may be deemed unsafe for small children. The standard Rubik's models are unlikely to be a choking hazard for a 2 year old who picks it up but a loosely tensioned speed cube might be an issue. It's clearly a topic in the minds of Rubik's brand as well as the obvious financial reasons.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32631029

David Kremer, president of Rubik's Brand Limited:

"Pirate cubes are now being sold which can be dangerous, with sharp edges and so on."
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Logiqx said:
The standard Rubik's models are unlikely to be a choking hazard for a 2 year old who picks it up but a loosely tensioned speed cube might be an issue. It's clearly a topic in the minds of Runik's brand as well as the obvious financial reasons.
Click to expand...
Couldn't the crappy stickers that come with a Rubik's brand be a choking hazard, considering how easily they come off. Also having someone try to turn a Rubik's brand might make them pull a muscle or something.
Seriously that is the most outrageous claim I have ever seen.
 
I find it amusing how Rubik's call much more superior, much better value for money, much faster cubes "fakes".

Nobody is trying to imitate Rubik's. Because their cubes are just ****

What they're gonna do is make it impossible to become world class at the Rubik's cube without living outside of the EU. Because all of the best cubes with be illegal to purchase in the EU.

What does the law say about people travelling to other countries and purchasing cubes and bringing them back? Could always set up a PO Box in Egypt or something and order my 3x3's there xD

I do hope that they don't extend this to the 4x4 and 5x5 cube. People are pissed enough as is.
 
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