Maxspect has been awarded its US Patent for Gyre Flow Technology that gives them a stronger leg up on fighting companies like Jebao and Jecod that are blatantly ripping off the technology, who now will face patent infringement if they continue. There is no shortage of products in the hobby that are clear ripoffs of other products, and it is nice to see an innovative company like Maxspect go through the right channels to protect its intellectual property.
According to the official statement we received, Maxspect was issued US Patent 9,709,059 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This patent covers cross-flow wave making technology, and methods for producing cross-flow full water circulation within an aquarium (Gyre Flow).
If you recall, it wasn’t long after getting a warm welcome at InterZoo 2014, that we began to see the knockoffs from Jebao and Jecod, causing Maxspect to issue a stern warning that it would fight these companies over its blatant ripoff of the gyre technology.
According to a recent statement in the press release, Vico W. Liang, Chairman and Technical Director of Maxspect noted, “This patent is an important component of Maxspect’s formidable intellectual property portfolio covering water circulation, LED lighting and filtration related technologies for the aquatic industry.”
While having affordable options for equipment is always important in this hobby, theft of intellectual property is detrimental over the long term. Companies put a lot of investment in R&D and developing the technology. It takes a lot of time, energy and capital to get a product from design to production and having companies create knock off products, damages the true innovators’ businesses.
There are legal ways to use technology, either by acquiring a company for its IP or by licensing it from the inventor. In fact, Maxspect licensed its technology to CoralVue for its IceCap 3K Gyre pump, creating a win-win-win situation. Maxspect gets licensing fees, CoralVue/IceCap get another product they can sell, and hobbyists have an affordable and legal option to add awesome flow to their tanks.
While we know this battle is far from over, its good to see this first win for Maxspect.
Below is the official Maxspect press release:
Maxspect (HongKong) Ltd. Announces Issuance of US Patent for Gyre Flow Technology
Maxspect (HongKong) Ltd. (Maxspect), a science technology company focused on development of innovative products for the aquatic industry, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent 9,709,059 covering cross-flow wave making technology, and methods for producing cross-flow full water circulation within an aquarium (Gyre Flow).
This proprietary technology is applicable to the generation of Gyre Flow in virtually any aquariums, from small household aquariums that are 20 gallons or less to large scale main display tanks in public aquariums with over 10,000 gallons of water. Maxspect has exclusive rights to the patented technology and has several licensees of such technology in development.
Gyre Flow generated within a marine aquarium creates a natural water flow pattern, mimicking the waves in the ocean, enhances the water circulation within an aquarium, improves the efficiency of nutrient export, which in turns improves the growth rate and healthiness of sea dwelling animals such as corals and marine fishes.
Gyre Flow can also be used to create a freshwater ecosystem such as the Amazon River system where water is constantly flow from upstream to downstream, creating the ideal habitat for many species of tropical freshwater fishes.
Distinct from traditional propeller technology, cross-flow pumps powered by Gyre Flow technology generally requires the use of only one pump to create a full water circulation within an aquarium, whereas propeller powered pumps would require multiple units in order to achieve the same results, thus it is more energy efficient to circulate water within an aquarium using Gyre Flow technology.
“This patent is an important component of Maxspect’s formidable intellectual property portfolio covering water circulation, LED lighting and filtration related technologies for the aquatic industry.” said Vico W. Liang, Chairman and Technical Director of Maxspect.
About Maxspect (HongKong) Ltd.
Maxspect (HongKong) Ltd., located in Hong Kong, is committed to develop innovative and trend setting products for the aquatic industry, with products range from wave making pumps and circulation pumps, high powered LED lighting systems, filtration systems, tools and other accessories. For further information on Maxspect, please visit www.maxspect.com.
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