Fein Aftermarket Blades

[sw1211]

Rec'd the email below, Looks like the Fein Aftermarket Multimaster Blades may no longer be available...

I am sending this email to let you know that we have been informed by Fein that some features of our blades for the Multimaster are in violation of US Patent Law.
The blades for the Supercut appear to be OK at this time but it needs to be verified.
The issue has been resolved amicably with no legal consecuences but we will not be able to sell anymore  any of the blades we have been making for the Multimaster.
The problem revolves around the star hole.
I firmly believe that the star hole I use is different than the one Fein uses but I don't have the millions needed to prove that in court.
I thank you for your past support and hope to count on you again in the future.
Thanks
Al
Multiblades.com

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I'm glad to hear I can at least get my Supercut blades from him still  ;D

 

[ericbuggeln]

That is sad news for sure.  I just removed the drip edges between bottom of siding and trim boards on a 3500 sq ft home with a new blade and that was it
It was one of those moments where I had done this before the Multimaster, but now that I have it knew it would save time.  I'm not sure if it was $50.00 worth of time.  I have such a love hate relationship with this thing.

Tom, you were telling me about how you had considered at one point in making your own miter saw extensions, but went the Sawhelper route b/c you thought it would hold up better.  Dude, you're in there video and on their website, nice transition.  I just got one leg done and worked out kinks and am building the second one today/tomorrow when the temperature drops below unhealthy.  It has a touch of Festool inspiration and I will have pics.  Since you are an on- site guy, have you seen Triton Multistands?  Endless possibilities, Love em.
Who is the official picture cop now?  I would be, but I have minimal camera skills, Eric

 

[Programmergeek]

Yea I am in the same boat I love the tool but the cost of blades   I could use it alot more but I am not sure on the cost vs. return in some cases especally with the large wood only cutting blades that do not seem to last to long. 

 

[Mike_Chrest]

There is a thread on JLC about using the cheaper blades with a round hole (which will still be available) on the star shape Multimaster.
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=385841#post385841

 

[vilynne46]

you had a great thing going change the name as to what your selling fein will never know i will buy many blades from you if you continue to sell, everyone else sells patented items?

 

[AlexThePalex]

A shame to see a low cost alternative is wiped off the map again because justice once more proofs to be on the side of the deepest wallet.

I think commerce would be best served if there was an international law adopted that would make it possible for everybody to make consumables without patent violation troubles. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Multiblades.com is up and selling blades, I bought some earlier this year. 

 

[pingvinlakrits]

At least here in Sweden aftermarket blades that have the MM star shape can be had for a fraction of the cost, something like $6 for a blade. Two different brands are/were available, one with the round hole only and one with the star shape. Sizes and widths were limited but still. Since I have plenty of blades I didn't get one or two to try them out. They do sell out from time to time which is no wonder as I would by twenty in a heartbeat if they were simply "ok".

 

[Dave Ronyak]

A shame to see a low cost alternative is wiped off the map again because justice once more proofs to be on the side of the deepest wallet.

I think commerce would be best served if there was an international law adopted that would make it possible for everybody to make consumables without patent violation troubles. 

Alex,

Patent laws have long allowed repair and replacement of ordinary wearing parts (consumables), except where the patented feature applies to the consumable itself (or the method of assembly and overhaul) and not the overall original assembly (machine) that is sold to the consumer (you and me).  I haven't examined the patent(s) asserted by Fein, but suspect they cover the star pattern hole.  Centuries of existence of patent laws in various countries have proven a very effective incentive for people to invent and develop and market their inventions; absent a sufficient expectation of recovering the costs of research and development, less significant innovation occurs.  Even the Chinese are paying far more deference to patent laws today because they want to protect and encourage their own inventor citizens.  Steve is correct in stating that the costs to prove which side of a patent dispute is correct unfortunately are typically very high.  (I have been an IP attorney for >30 years.)

Dave R.

 

[greg mann]

There is an interesting patent infringement case involving Festo vs. SMC. Both companies are in the pneumatic component business. Festo sued SMC over infringement and, IIRC, won in the US Supreme court. A google of the case and a review of the decision gives a nice overview of what Dave has described. I am absolutely sure that the decision is easier for Dave to understand than for the rest of us, but it is a good read regarding what constitutes infringement and what does and does not allow another company to get around a patent.