Quote Originally Posted by Utnorris View Post
Wow! Really? This is what this has come too. Look I vote with my wallet, it's called capitalism. I have been dissed by several popular manufactures including Asus and Corsair and if I don't like a company I just don't buy from them. This forum is supposed to be about water cooling, how it is done, innovative design, etc., not politics or personal grudges. Personally, I think we need to focus on the hobby and not the drama surrounding it.
Not usually the dramatic type and I am pretty good at keeping a level head but these guys directly affected our community. They are the only European retailers who can sell all the stuff they Tradmarked cornering the market and control on pricing. Let's say if your Koolance and you wish to channel your products into the European market. Well you will have Aquatuning to contend with as they own your Trademark in Europe. Nobody can sell your stuff without them suing you for Trademark infringement. So that market is screwed but open now for Aquatuning's blocks, rads etc because they have effectively blocked you out, are able to sell their stuff way cheaper making them look like the obvious choice in Europe. So now this cuts into R&D, contests, sponsorships etc which directly affects us here.

Quote Originally Posted by kinghong1970 View Post
dunno guys... ok let's address the issue for what it is and try to keep an open mind.

many companies have had consumer design contests and this is a very interesting, if not great marketing tool... and so as for this contest, call it as you see it... an interesting marketing tool by AT to involve their consumers participation and perhaps even increase brand recognition + loyalty... kata bag manufacturers have also done this and i'm sure there are others as well.

so as for the contest, fine... i don't think it's actually a means of a company trying to get the design work for free...
correct me if i'm wrong but it does seem that this is a community based competition...

if any company's sole objective is to get cheap designs, heck, mick's detailed log is enough for anyone to knock it off and produce it cheaper and not only him but there are many others who've dabbled into custom design and building of cases that are posted in these "public" forums... and copyright protection are just that, words... they carry very little weight in actual and legal protection... unless someone can afford a heavy legal retainer for representation.

now AT does not get off that easily too...
seems your reputation has been tainted by the XS community and perhaps you should address this issue before venturing off into other projects... because as far as i see it, any and all marketing attempts will be tainted by your actions that has caused many wc'ing members to be upset.
This cuts deeper then them trying to steal designs which as you pointed out they could have simply done awhile ago from the available info in the public thread but I am sure the one reason why they have not is because of a threat if someone wanted to sue them. But if they can them freely then it's a different story. It's fair game! Just letting people know what type of people are behind this competition which I think should not be allowed here at all.