macclack wrote: ↑That whole thing with MD and the halo switches is pretty weak on MD's part. Not a good way to generate goodwill. When you guys develop details on the new switch design do you mind sharing on these forums?
Instead of just posting a veiled statement about the situation at hand (especially as some on this thread might not know)- from IC's latest update on the Whitefox.
"We also have encountered some unexpected push-back from one of our former partners, Massdrop, on the topic of the Halo switches. We (Input Club) developed and invented the Halo switches, and worked with Massdrop to finance the physical tooling that allows them to go to mass production. We assigned Massdrop the patent rights in exchange for a royalty and a “license-back” that we believe allows us to source the switches for use in keyboards. But when we tried to order switches for the WhiteFox/NightFox, Massdrop would not let us source them. They then claimed to own the “Halo” name and asked us to give up the license-back altogether, so we would essentially lose all access to our own invention. This is very confusing for us at Input Club, as we are mostly a team of engineers and are not used to dealing with people who act in this manner. Unfortunately, we don’t have any more information right now as to how the situation will unfold."
My response on the whole thing, with only I:C's side:
This seems a lot like burning someone at the stake before hearing both sides. This was posted, and apparently done before even a hearing. Massdrop can't move as well as a group like input club can as far as posting.
Legal ramifications, and what can be said and not on the situation must be considered. And there is also the anti-massdrop group that would love to see support for MD cancel, so they stoke up the flames of the pitchfork carrying villagers.
So, without knowing the specifics, people rush to pillory them. There is an agreement in place- an agreement that I:C signed. They say that "we believe allows us to source the switches for use in keyboards." That's the kind of thing that you get lawyers to put in place an ironclad agreement, and that you know exactly what your rights are. A patent is valuable, and not something you fly by night on nor think nor believe anything about.
Unfortunately, I think there's a lot we'll never know. But I for one, am waiting for Massdrop's response before deciding based on the evidence that is available at that time.
And a follow up question- it appears a lot of this is because I:C tried to go directly to Kailh without MD's involvement, and Kailh said, nope, not without MD's ok. Is that a correct assessment of the exchange that has not been totally open and transparent?
Up until now the wherefore's of what's gone on and fault have been pretty open and reasonably civilized based on the limitations of both parties. This whole thing has not smacked of that same respect, so I'm a bit confused...
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