VWFringe said:
I noticed unbranded copies of the MFLB sold in a local smoke shop....
BB Tobacco
14341 Beach Blvd # G
Westminster, CA 92683-4561
(714) 894-5849
bbsmokeshop.com
Hi,
Unfortunately, we have also noticed a few of these copies showing up on the market. They are noticeably inferior in build and currently have no markings or engravings of any kind. Of the ones we have seen, only about 1/3 of them even work at all. Naturally, it is recommended that prospective buyers be sure that they are getting the genuine product, rather than a cheap non-functional and non-warrantied copy.
This is especially problematic as it creates the impression in the general public that vaporization in general and the MFLB in particular is bogus. MF has therefore found it necessary to treat this as legally actionable. We had already filed suit against several parties known to be promoting or selling infringing instances of our heard earned IP. We will most likely be adding the named retailer as a defendant (Thank you for bringing this to our attention!).
While we cannot discuss the particulars of a pending lawsuit, we can at least recommend that if you have strong feelings about the inappropriateness of selling or distributing inferior copies of the MFLB that you personally contact any retailer known to be involved (including the one below) and (politely) express your feelings.
We would also ask that if
anyone notices any other instances of a MFLB copy, that the name/address/etc of the seller also be forwarded to our attention, along with details or impressions of your contact, communications, the seller, etc. If you are in doubt as to if it is a copy, check the unit and look for our engraved logo on the front and the serial number on the back. If either of these are absent, the unit is by definition illegitimate, and if sold or attempted to be sold, is very illegal in most states and in some cases even federally (on a number of different laws).
VWFringe said:
This is a transcript of my call to BB Tobacco Tuesday, April 5th, 2011, Noon:
BBTobacco: BBTobacco
Me: I think I was in your shop a couple of weekends ago and saw a mini vaporizer in a tin box, but didn't get the man to take it out of the case."
BBTobacco: Yes (his inflection indicated he knew both which one and that it was still available)
Me: Can you tell me how much it costs?
BBTobacco: $149
Me: Is it a copy of the Magic Flight Launch Box?
BBTobacco: Yes
Me: Why is it more than the Magic Flight Launch Box?
BBTobacco: I don't know, it includes the lithium batteries, a charger, a car adapter and the pipe in a metal box.
Me: Maybe it's the car charger, theirs doesn't include that.
BBTobacco: Maybe, I do know it costs us more.
Me: Do you know who's distributing it?
BBTobacco: I don't
Me: Who they get it from?
BBTobacco: I don't know
Me: Okay, thanks for your time.
call ended
I got the impression I wouldn't get any more info so thanked him and hung up.
... they won't respond to any further emails I've sent ...
Again, thank you particularly for this deposition. It is enormously helpful! To points are of particular interest: 1) They indicate that they are knowingly selling an illegitimate copy, and 2) they potentially know very little about the copy itself, and/or are deliberately misrepresenting it. In all of the instances of the copy that we have seen (all coming from the same source), the batteries included are NiMH (HSD type) and test out at about 900 mAh (on average) in the lab.
Again, any information/observations of this or other copies should be looked out for and reported whenever possible. Thanks again for your assistance!
-- Magic-Flight