Wednesday, April 9th 2008

Ultra Products Sues Power Supply Manufacturers

Apr 9th, 2008 03:57 Discuss (114 Comments)

There's not a lot of information on the web regarding this case filled in the Florida Middle District Court, but it seems that Ultra Products is now searching for legal ways to sue a whole bunch of power supply manufacturers that infringe on of their patents for modular power supplies. The companies that are being sued by Ultra Products include: Antec, Corsair Memory, Enhance Electronics, E-Power Technology/PCMCIS, FSP Group USA, Koolance USA, Mushkin, OCZ Technology, Sea Sonic Electronics, Silverstone Technology, SPI Electronic, Spire-Bytecom Fanner Corporation, Tagan Technology, Thermaltake Technology, Topower Computer Industrial, Topower Computer U.S.A., Zalman Technology Company and pretty much every company that has manufactured modular PSUs.

Source: JonnyGURU.com

Add your own comment

114 Comments on Ultra Products Sues Power Supply Manufacturers

#26

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...

Only thing I have to say about this is that it's bad karma. What goes around comes around, no offense but I hope they lose and get countersuited.

EDIT: In other words, people cant leave well enough alone.

#27

asb2106

erockerNo, but a wall outlet is a "modular" plug-in design, which Ultra has clearly infringed upon!
I just hope this isn't in American court, I would hate to spend a dime of tax money on any type of judicial process for this garbage.

HAHAHAHA

This is so true, BTW, thanks erocker and intel-igent for agreein, its really true, ultra is crap PSUs and they are tankin now and want to take someone down with them

#28

GJSNeptune

I'd buy a PSU from a lot of the companies they're suing before I'd buy one of theirs.

#29

Unregistered

Only in america *sigh*

#30

cdawall

where the hell are my stars

@ erocker he gets paid every time someone uses it

#31

patton45

asb2106hey Im not saying they arent right about their patent. But Im pretty sure that patent is not broad enough to cover that. Maybe it does, who knows.

And we are not talking about DDR2 and HSFs, just PSUs, and I cant personally speak for the quality. It was definitly lacking..... Maybe I got a dud, but I though 170 bucks would have gotten me a decent 550W PSU

thats probally why that same 550watt psu is 40$ on tiger direct now
ultra made ok psu it was hit or miss they had good effeciency for a modular but the other companies deffinatly perfected modular.

#32

jbunch07

i honestly thought ultra had the first modular psu but i may be wrong...
in any case it was a good idea for whoever did it first

This is a joke! The guy who invented electical wall outlets should sue Ultra for infringing on his design!

:laugh: that is a good point though

#33

trog100

erockerThis is a joke! The guy who invented electical wall outlets should sue Ultra for infringing on his design!

yes.. i dont see how anyone can patent plugs and sockets.. the idea has been around for a while.. he he he

trog

#34

jonnyGURU

ExceededgokuThere'll be legal loopholes, such as Silverstone could say they use a modular powersupply with 8 pins instead of 4. It really depends how well Ultra patented their idea...

Then read the patent. It's right out on the web for you to read. It's not really as broad as a lot of people here seem to think it is. The claims are actually quite narrow. They simply patented the concept of the modular interface on the housing of the PSU (which is why the Performance-PC's one is different. It's not a modular interface on the housing) and when you take that into consideration you'll realize that the Ultra X-Connect was the first modular power supply in that respect and all of these modern day "modular" power supplies does infringe on the patent.

#35

asb2106

jonnyGURUThen read the patent. It's right out on the web for you to read. It's not really as broad as a lot of people here seem to think it is. The claims are actually quite narrow. They simply patented the concept of the modular interface on the housing of the PSU (which is why the Performance-PC's one is different. It's not a modular interface on the housing) and when you take that into consideration you'll realize that the Ultra X-Connect was the first modular power supply in that respect and all of these modern day "modular" power supplies does infringe on the patent.

can you link the site that you read this at?

#36

jonnyGURU

asb2106can you link the site that you read this at?

patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,133,293&OS=7,133,293&RS=7,133,293

#37

spy2520

cdawallumm no this is not the same thing as that ultra came up with a good idea that sold well now a bunch of people have copied that idea and ultra isn't making as much money off it. this is like lets say chevy started putting hemi's in there cars and trucks would dodge sue? HELL YEA! that was ultra's idea and they have evrey right to defend it this is what patents are for.

off topic, but technically all multi-valve engines have hemi combustion chambers and most racing bodies like IHRA prostock have hemi heads on dodge, chevy, and ford motors. Dodge just likes putting the badge on shit, but nobody can use the HEMI brand on cars, so i guess you are kinda right with that analogy.

#38

AddSub

I don't know why everyone is against Ultra, but they are one of the few PSU makers/distributors offering lifetime PSU warranties upon registration. Actually, I don't know if any other PSU makers do that.

I have 3 Ultra PSU's. Two are modular (titanium silvery slick looking ones) and one is a lower end model. Never had any problems with any of them. The lower end model has been running in my server for over two years now, almost 24/7 and I mean quite literally 24/7. I'm talking perhaps about 2-3 hours of downtime every month at the most. Second one, a modular one, has been running in my media box for about year and half, not 24/7 operation but almost. Also no problems. Third one, also modular, has been in my primary machine (specs on the left) for over a year and a half, gaming mostly (handles my EVGA 8800GTX just fine).

As for the whole modular patent suit, I don't know. I believe Ultra was first to introduce them in North America, not sure. I remember reading a review about 3 years ago or so regarding the "first" modular PSU and it was an Ultra model. It was the first time I heard of a modular PSU anyways.

#39

a111087

candle_86yep the X-Connect started it

alright, so they waited years, so more companies would do the modular design and then coma in and say "ALL of you are thieves!" :laugh:

#40

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator

i have an ultra x-connect 500w solid psu hasnt failed at all...everytime i mod i check volts and amps they they havent degraded any...

@addsub

really they offer warranties? how do you register?

#41

asb2106

AddSubI don't know why everyone is against Ultra, but they are one of the few PSU makers/distributors offering lifetime PSU warranties upon registration. Actually, I don't know if any other PSU makers do that.

I have 3 Ultra PSU's. Two are modular (titanium silvery slick looking ones) and one is a lower end model. Never had any problems with any of them. The lower end model has been running in my server for over two years now, almost 24/7 and I mean quite literally 24/7. I'm talking perhaps about 2-3 hours of downtime every month at the most. Second one, a modular one, has been running in my media box for about year and half, not 24/7 operation but almost. Also no problems. Third one, also modular, has been in my primary machine (specs on the left) for over a year and a half, gaming mostly (handles my EVGA 8800GTX just fine).

As for the whole modular patent suit, I don't know. I believe Ultra was the first one to introduce them in North America, not sure. I remember reading a review about 3 years ago or so regarding the "first" modular PSU and it was an Ultra model. It was the first time I heard of a modular PSU anyways.

Well yes, I mean you could get a no name PSU in a $30 case, and it could run 24/7 in a system that is not stressed, and it could work forever.

But I was running 2 7800GTX's with a Pentium D and 3 HD's, and a creative sound card and 2 DVDrw drives. It obviously could not keep up with the demand. Even though I was guarenteed by their tech depo that it could easily support SLI with as many HDs as I want. Thats what they told me. Granted Ill never believe that again, I was younger and dumber.

It might be a great PSU for a average system, but for a performance system, if just cannot keep up. Especially when OCing is involved. and my buddies xconnect over heated and fried a few connections on the modular connections inside the PSU. I dont think it was overheating, I think is was just pushing to much amps through the gauge wire they used.

Sorry to burst your bubble but Ultra is far from quality. Its average at best, and that perfect for 95% of computer users.

#42

AddSub

really they offer warranties? how do you register?

Yes, they do. It is done through their website. (Link below) All their power supplies come with a 3 year warranty out of the box, but if you register online you get upgraded to lifetime.

www.ultraproducts.com/warranty_info.php

Note: as per their site "Product must be registered within 30 days from the date of purchase."

It takes about a minute or two to register. Really easy.

#43

[I.R.A]_FBi

AddSubI don't know why everyone is against Ultra, but they are one of the few PSU makers/distributors offering lifetime PSU warranties upon registration. Actually, I don't know if any other PSU makers do that.

I have 3 Ultra PSU's. Two are modular (titanium silvery slick looking ones) and one is a lower end model. Never had any problems with any of them. The lower end model has been running in my server for over two years now, almost 24/7 and I mean quite literally 24/7. I'm talking perhaps about 2-3 hours of downtime every month at the most. Second one, a modular one, has been running in my media box for about year and half, not 24/7 operation but almost. Also no problems. Third one, also modular, has been in my primary machine (specs on the left) for over a year and a half, gaming mostly (handles my EVGA 8800GTX just fine).

As for the whole modular patent suit, I don't know. I believe Ultra was first to introduce them in North America, not sure. I remember reading a review about 3 years ago or so regarding the "first" modular PSU and it was an Ultra model. It was the first time I heard of a modular PSU anyways.

what is the point of a lifetime warranty on a piece of crud? im goign to need another one to se anyway when it gets shipped for retrns. and what about the eqipment it may or may not have killed on the way out?

#44

asb2106

US Patent 7133293The present invention relates to power supplies and methods of installing power supplies. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a power supply adapted for installation within a computer case for receiving AC current from an AC current source and providing DC current from the power supply to a component disposed inside of the computer case via a removable cable attached to the power supply, comprising: a housing having an interior volume defined by a top panel, a bottom panel and a plurality of side panels; AC to DC circuitry disposed within the interior volume of the housing; and a DC output socket, wherein the DC output socket is fixed to one of the top panel, bottom panel and side panels defining the interior volume in which the AC to DC circuitry is disposed; wherein the AC to DC circuitry receives AC current from the AC current source; wherein the AC to DC circuitry converts the received AC current into DC current and supplies the DC current to the DC output socket; and wherein the DC output socket is fixed to one of the panels of the housing in a position such that when the power supply is installed within the computer case the DC output socket is disposed inside of the computer case for mating with the removable cable.

This is the description of the patent right on the site, to me all this explains is the conversion of AC to DC with sockets on the DC side for you parts.

This description could describe the cigarette lighter in your car......

#45

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator

AddSubYes, they do. It is done through their website. (Link below) All their power supplies come with a 3 year warranty out of the box, but if you register online you get upgraded to lifetime.

www.ultraproducts.com/warranty_info.php

Note: as per their site "Product must be registered within 30 days from the date of purchase."

It takes about a minute or two to register. Really easy.

thnx :) damn to bad i bought it over a year ago :(

#46

Darkrealms

tigger69Only in america *sigh*

LoL, lets not get into that, Europe has enough as well. . .

erockerThis is a joke! The guy who invented electical wall outlets should sue Ultra for infringing on his design!

Thats funny! Unfortunately they specify PSU housing, not just housing ; P

jonnyGURUpatft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,133,293&OS=7,133,293&RS=7,133,293

Thank you!

Sorry I glanced through the patent but didn't see the specifics (don't have time for a thorough reading).
I think its stupid a company would wait like this, though it happens often.
I think it shows Ultra is hurting in this field.
In my personal experience I have found Ultras to be decent but I would not buy them with other available options.

#47

Darkrealms

asb2106This is the description of the patent right on the site, to me all this explains is the conversion of AC to DC with sockets on the DC side for you parts.

This description could describe the cigarette lighter in your car......

They do specify power supplys for personal computers all over the page. Including describing at least one fan in them.

#48

asb2106

DarkrealmsThey do specify power supplys for personal computers all over the page. Including describing at least one fan in them.

well yah, but thats it, thats a very broad specrum for a patent. I dont have time to dig through all the patents inside of it, I will later, but I just dont see Ultra getting anywhere with this. I could very well be wrong though

#49

infrared

Here's everything ultra has patented. Just reading through it now.

#50

GJSNeptune

Yeah, they shouldn't be hurting for money.

Add your own comment

Ultra Products Sues Power Supply Manufacturers

114 Comments on Ultra Products Sues Power Supply Manufacturers

Latest GPU Drivers

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts