Monster Cable Drops Mini Golf Lawsuit and Offers Compromise

[admin]

Monster Cable drops lawsuit against Monster Mini Golf. Battle "won, but war not over yet." Even though they have dropped the suit, they are still opposing our marks with the USPTO. Thus, that remains an ongoing matter which requires ongoing legal fees (in addition to the $200k we already incurred), time and effort. On the flip side, Monster Cable has offered to license the Monster trademark for $100/mo to each Monster Mini Golf facility (23 total) and will also donate and match the royalty proceeds to the Elf and Seg4Vets charities.

Discuss "Monster Cable Drops Mini Golf Lawsuit and Offers Compromise" here. Read the article.

 

[jamie2112]

Not Good enough IMO. They can still reopen the lawsuit AFTER Ces and NAMM which is still dirty dealing. I am really glad to hear the support seems to be working the internet very well. I am just getting started on my campain. I have been talking to plenty of HI END players in the pro audio and touring industry who are in total agreement with me and everyone on this forum.Monster is going to get nothing but negative press from this and noel lee (doesn't deserve capitol letters) can get bent. TOO LATE to pull out now the negative press is on and I am going to let many many many more folks in my industry know about this bully and their crappy products. I hope your company gets what they deserve for all of the money you have cost smaller companies. I saw your Youtube plea noel and its too late bud you have pissed of some hi end players in the audio world and now we will see just how far we can take the truth to those WHO CAN make a difference in your sales. Plus, your cables are overpriced and DO NOT live up to your bogus claims......Best of luck to Monster Mini Golf as they are the catalyst that is bringing the real scoop to everyone you have blindfolded and lied to over your companies tenure....

 

[MidnightSensi]

I have been talking to plenty of HI END players in the pro audio and touring industry who are in total agreement with me and everyone on this forum.Monster is going to get nothing but negative press from this and noel lee (doesn't deserve capitol letters) can get bent. TOO LATE to pull out now the negative press is on and I am going to let many many many more folks in my industry know about this bully and their crappy products.

Werd.

Who used Monster anyways? I usually just see Hosa and Comprehensive in pro applications.

Hosa is always been where its at in my opinion. Reasonably priced cables that are super workable.

 

[tomd51]

While I'm sure dismissal of the suit and the offer/agreement of royalty proceeds distribution in use of the word/name 'Monster' (hope I don't have to pony up now that I capitalized the word and posted it on the internet... ) would likely benefit both sides, I believe that MC's intent initially with this suit was with misguided and monetarily driven.

I can fully understand if Monster Mini Golf would want to agree to the royalty terms offer, but with the ability to reaffirm the suit at a later date when it might draw less negative attention, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this suit didn't end here.

There's also the frivolous patent infringement litigation Monster Cable continues to involve themselves in, despite the comments on this suit by Mr. Lee, founder and owner of MC. Even if the suit and trademark infringement case ended here amicably with MC and Monster Mini Golf, there's still no deterrent for Monster Cable to continue with these types of suits in the future.

I hope that things end well for Monster Mini Golf, but at the same time, I'd like to see thi go to court in order to truly expose Monster Cable to the scrutiny they deserve for this reprehensible behavior. -TD

 

[tomd51]

Werd.

Who used Monster anyways? I usually just see Hosa and Comprehensive in pro applications.

Hosa is always been where its at in my opinion. Reasonably priced cables that are super workable.

I was foolish enough to buy some of their products years ago before I realized the snake oil quality of their marketing was just that. I've been toying with the idea of giving away the few I have or even selling them with the purpose of donating the proceeds of the sale to help MMG's costs of this sham.

Since learning the error of my ways, it's been almost exclusively Monoprice with a bit of Acoustic Research here and there... -TD

 

[jinjuku]

Who cares if they will donate $100 in matching funds to a charity? This ranks right up there when laws are covered in the cloth of 'think of the children'.

It's still a strong arm tactic.

Just because MC dismisses a suit doesn't mean the MMG still isn't going to court. It doesn't work that way. MC made a mess, now they need to make it right. Noel and company: You need to make MMG WHOLE. That is return them to the condition they were in before you initiated this mis-guided action.

I hope the MMG hasn't agreed to any settlement that:

1. Dismisses this with prejudice
2. Recoup legal fees
3. Involves not one penny in licensing

 

[jamie2112]

MMG should absolutly be MADE WHOLE again, kudos Jinjuku I agree whole heartedly with your statements......

 

[j_garcia]

It is a step in the right direction. That's what happens when you swat a dog on the nose with a newspaper, or in this case the internet. But I have to agree with Jinjuku also, it isn't good enough.

 

[MonsterMiniGolf]

From Christina, Creator of Monster Mini Golf and human being...not a Head Monster

22 Franchises so that would be $2200 a month we would have to pay Noel Lee for a business we created. I really don't think he actually gets it.

If he had left us alone do you think people would be wandering the universe wondering how anyone could tell the difference between Monster Cables or Monster Mini Golf?

Yet now...if you ask people if they know the difference, I am guessing they will clearly answer but I don't think that it would be the answer Monster Cable was aiming for.


I truly believe in what we are fighting for and I never wish this upon anyone else. Maybe this year someone could buy Noel Lee a heart for Christmas. If I could get this man to see what he has done, heck!, I'd bring him a heart myself.

I think the only chance he has at any redemption at all is to come forward...in public, in person, apologize, pay our fees that resulted in this mess and realize that we live in a world where we really can exist all together. If he could do that, I would fly out to sunny California and stand by his side publicly and thank him. I think that is his only redemption at this point and I can honestly say that would restore my faith in believing that he is a human being….with a heart. Up till now, he’s been a 100% Grinch!

Again, to all the Who's down in Whoville, Thank you for your support,
Christina Vitagliano
Co-founder & Creator
Monster Mini Golf

 

[jinjuku]

MC's biggest problem is choosing a common use word and then trying to defend it.That is why we chose a non-obvious name for our company.

Look at Compaq, Microsoft, Lantronix, Digi etc... These are extremely defensible names.

The word 'monster' (or any other common word) puts you at a distinct disadvantage if you choose to constantly litigate over it. It's like staking claim to a busy intersection. You stand there and wonder why you are getting clipped by speeding cars all the time.

 

[mperfct]

I was pretty surprised to see that my website had a comment posted on it last night from "Pete" at Monstercable.com. I had posted a "monster rant" on my personal site, imploring friends, family, and readers to be smart shoppers and not feed into this big bully. I even posted a small link at the bottom showing the difference in pricing between a Monster HDMI cable @ BB versus a similar one from Monoprice.

What surprises me the most is that Monster responded on my website. Albeit it was a canned letter, but still, I wonder how much time they are putting in to all of this. Hopefully they will be a little slower to pull the legal trigger given the outpouring of concern over their litigious behavior.

 

[mike c]

I was pretty surprised to see that my website had a comment posted on it last night from "Pete" at Monstercable.com. I had posted a "monster rant" on my personal site, imploring friends, family, and readers to be smart shoppers and not feed into this big bully. I even posted a small link at the bottom showing the difference in pricing between a Monster HDMI cable @ BB versus a similar one from Monoprice.

What surprises me the most is that Monster responded on my website. Albeit it was a canned letter, but still, I wonder how much time they are putting in to all of this. Hopefully they will be a little slower to pull the legal trigger given the outpouring of concern over their litigious behavior.

wow. damage control and spin doctors hard at work!

 

[jinjuku]

HardOCP

There is a raging, no holds barred, thread going on at HardOCP. Check it out.

 

[jamie2112]

There is a raging, no holds barred, thread going on at HardOCP. Check it out.

Well they are saying what we all want to say over there.....

 

[zhimbo]

On M*nst*r's (can't be too careful!) YouTube video, I see that ratings and comments have been disabled.

Heh. Wonder why...

 

[Manny_mmg]

RE: Public Proposal to Monster Mini Golf

Mr. Lee,
First let me tell you a bit about myself. I am a former United States Marine and war veteran. I served with the Marines honorably for 11 years. I am very difficult to offend. You just offended me. Now let me tell you how. I will do this in such a way that is easy to understand and absorb.

Here is what you wrote;
“The sentiment of our customers wins over our rights to protect the brand.”
And
“This lawsuit admittedly has caused so much misguided ill will amongst our customers, that we have no choice but to give up on it, and along with it our rights to have a judge or jury decide this conflict.”

Here is what I have to say about this;
As a person who is willing to die for the rights of all Americans, it is disappointing to notice how carelessly you claim to give up your rights. I am a humble student of the U.S. Constitution. I don’t remember anything that states that a person must give up their own rights if a person of an opposing view expresses their own. I realize that the freedom of speech does not always work in your favor all the time. But, to imply that free speech forced you to give up your rights is simply careless.


Here is what you wrote;
"Monster will still owns the trademarks granted by the trademark office for which we offer a license for the use of them to Monster Mini Golf for a minimal royalty of $100 per month per franchise. Monster (us) will donate and match the royalty proceeds to the following charities that Monster has supported."

The Elf foundation; Creating Rooms of Magic:
elfsystems.org/partners.html

Seg4Vets: Segways for disabled veterans
draft.cc/draft3/Donations/Benefactors/tabid/113/Default.aspx


Here is my opinion;
How dare you! I am sure that these are wonderful charities. But to use sick children and wounded war veterans (my brothers & sisters) as a ploy for your own selfish cause is beyond low. To use others misfortune to “protect your trademark” sickens me. THESE ARE PEOPLE SIR, NOT PAWNS THAT YOU CAN USE TO MANIPULATE OTHERS!

Don’t even get me started on how you are taking advantage of our legal system for your own benefit. Once I calm myself down, I will make more arguments in regards to the actual case.

Good day,
-Manny

 

[MatthewB.]

Manny, can you please post the link of where you found those qoutes. I would love to read the whole article but can't find it anywhere (inlcuding the 3-4 threads here). Great post BTW and thank you sir for your serving and potecting our country.

EDIT oops reread post and figured it out so have deleted what was followed.

 

[fredk]

Manny. I kinda skipped over the details of the charities, so thanks for pointing them out and highlighting the despicable use of said charities that Monster is attemting to engage in.

I too am very offended by this.

Christina. My heart goes out to you. It is not easy to stand up to this sort of strong arm lawyering when it is YOUR finances you are risking.

Monster is using its counsel as a revenue generation tool and will not stop until forced to do so.

I will most certainly not be purchasing anything from monster cable, and will actively discourage those I know from doing so.

 

[gene]

Monster is using its counsel as a revenue generation tool and will not stop until forced to do so.

I suggest ALWAYS referring to them as "Monster Cable" and NOT "Monster", else you help legitimize their brand one day filing for a Famous trademark on the word "Monster".

 

[Jack Hammer]

I suggest ALWAYS referring to them as "Monster Cable" and NOT "Monster", else you help legitimize their brand one day filing for a Famous trademark on the word "Monster".

Excellent point Gene, I hope everyone takes it to heart.

Jack