Patrick Norton says Boycott Monster Cables...

[SomeAudioGuy]

... and who am i to disagree?

Hey all.
Just got done watching the new episode of Tekzilla. Patrick had a lot to say about the recent events surrounding Monster cables cease and desist of Blue Jeans cables (a mom-n-pop USA manufacturer).
I have a much more complete write up of the situation over on my blog (sorry for the blog spam) with the Tekzilla episode embedded.

Support Tekzilla and Blue Jeans Cables - BOYCOTT Monster Cables

Check it out if you have a sec.
If you're anything like me, you probably help your family and friends make decisions on A/V equipment. If you haven't already, lets stop using over priced BestBuy fodder, and lets start making more cost effective cable choices. Woot!

[brandondrury]

So is the issue over copyright infringement or patent infringement. The two cable plugs are of the same style, but clearly not a copy of one another. However, I figured maybe there was something about the design itself that Monster Cable feels is unique to their brand that ha been infringed on.

I don't have all the facts so it may be a little early to suggest a boycot of Monster Cable based on this issue alone.

However, there is a more pressing issue in regard to not buying Monster Cable products. Very few people in home recording would benefit from higher end cables. In tests I've conducted the cheaper George L cables were better than Monster Cable in the one situation where cable impedance is a big deal (electric guitars). Other than that, save your money.

I believe that Monster Cable is a consumer grade company. I'm sure they make more money through Best Buy than they do through Musicians Friend (just a guess). They sell to people who buy expensive TVs or to 20somethings who want gold connectors plugin into their Xbox 360.

So if this is really an issue of corporare bullying, I'm all for the boycott, but I have to say that I had no plans of buying anything from Monster Cable anyway.

Brandon

[SomeAudioGuy]

The boycott (per the gospel of Norton) is over Monster's use of lawsuits. They are claiming that BlueJeans cables are too similar, claiming they infringe on patents, in essence claiming that only they can make a funky looking shielded RCA plug. If you read the response from Blue Jeans, he dismisses a LOT of Monsters claims, slams them on claiming infringement on expired copyright, and brutalizes them lack of documentation. Just so happens he was a former copyright and IP lawyer.
To say you can infringe on the design of an RCA plug is kinda ridiculous IMO.

That's enough for me, but lets also look at their history of suing everyone that uses the word "Monster", here's the first hit in Google:

Monster fiercely protects its name
Cable products company sues those who use M-word

Really? They sued the Red Sox? Talk about frivolous lawsuits...

And to say nothing of they way they use and exploit over seas labor.

Why NOT boycott?

[SomeAudioGuy]

And on another point, I am really tired of watching newbies getting hosed.

I had to fight with my grandfather recently in a Radioshack because the saleswoman helping him kept saying that she "could totally like see the difference between like Monster HDMI cables and like other HDMI cables". We actually almost started yelling at each other because he wanted "the best", and I refused to let him pay almost $80 for a six foot cable.

[SomeAudioGuy]

Oh and one more thing!

I had already replaced all the Monster cables on my site with George L's before I had even posted here LOL!

[brandondrury]

They are claiming that BlueJeans cables are too similar, claiming they infringe on patents, in essence claiming that only they can make a funky looking shielded RCA plug. If you read the response from Blue Jeans, he dismisses a LOT of Monsters claims, slams them on claiming infringement on expired copyright, and brutalizes them lack of documentation. Just so happens he was a former copyright and IP lawyer.

Yeah, I read all of that, but I can't help but feel like there is more going on here. Maybe Monster Cable is suing over a look of an RCA plug. Maybe there is more. I'm not going to take the time to read the entire legal whatever it is to find out so I really don't feel like I'll be informed.

-----

Now, the other link you sent me is BIG. As you said, suing the Red Sox because of the Green Monster is ABSURD. My visions of what America is do not allow a corporation to own all uses of a single word that appears in their name. In that case, "Red Sox" could sue "Redbook" or "Red Mint Gum".

JESUS CHRIST!!!

So forget the first thing about suing the small cable manufacturer. Instead, the simple fact that have they being suing everyone illustrates clearly that this is a company that I do not want to deal with.

And on another point, I am really tired of watching newbies getting hosed.

I had to fight with my grandfather recently in a Radioshack because the saleswoman helping him kept saying that she "could totally like see the difference between like Monster HDMI cables and like other HDMI cables". We actually almost started yelling at each other because he wanted "the best", and I refused to let him pay almost $80 for a six foot cable.

You are right to some degree. While I agree with you, this pursuit of the "best" is little more than a psychological flaw that most humans have in one way or another. The problem is how the difference between "normal" and the "best" gets amplified to be totally out of proportion.

My brother just bought a hi-def TV with fancy Monster Cables. Now he says that it isn't as fun to watch Transformers anymore because you can see the imperfections. That's an easy fix! Use a non hi-def TV! Problem solved.

In my brother's case, the need to have the "best" is stronger than the need to have fun watching Transformers. This is a common flaw, but you have to understand that if you push people too hard to NOT buy things of marginal value, you are doing nothing but pushing your own subjective agenda regardless of the fact that you are saving them from dumping $80 on something that will provide them probably zero happiness.

This is just one of those issues that pops up when people have too much food.

Brandon

[brandondrury]

I Will Never Buy Another Monster Cable

[thesilentdrummer]

This inspired me:

Microphone Cable Shootout

[SomeAudioGuy]

LOL, You silly socialist!
I'm totally with you though. It's just frustrating.
I think there is a difference in spending just a little more for, say, speaker wire. Get some decent shielding as opposed to super skanky cord. After that though, and your bang for buck plummets.

My fight with my grandfather is also somewhat generational. He was really into his hi-fi back in the day. Back then I think stereo shop employees probably had a much better idea of what they were doing than BB/radioshack employees do today (I'm making a HUGE generalization here). He also doesn't understand the difference between an analog connection and a digital connection. Trying to inform him of that with a 19 year old RS employee in his face, saying he'll lose image quality, was almost impossible.

I was in Bestbuy today just looking at TV's. No name "Rocket" HDMI cables were only $65 for a four foot cable! At that price how could you NOT want to buy some!!!

Oh and by the way, thanks for the linkage!

[brandondrury]

I was in Bestbuy today just looking at TV's. No name "Rocket" HDMI cables were only $65 for a four foot cable! At that price how could you NOT want to buy some!!!

Yeah, great! Only $65! I think I'll stick with the $0.65 RCA cables that came included with the DVD player. I'm SOOOO glad I get my anal retentive side taken care of with recording, because I think people who really get that wound up about this crap are nothing but fuck bags. My brother is a great example. He buys a "great" TV with "great" cables to watch Michael Bay movies.

That's like buying a Nuemann U47, a Mercedes, and then cutting your penis off. I'll stick with the shitty TV and movies that I actually like.

Oh and by the way, thanks for the linkage!

The bill is in the mail.

LOL, You silly socialist!

Easy pal. Those are fighting word!