I think as long as they keep coming out with new versions, they get a new patent with them. Called an improvement patent. Probably why the companies keep making so many new versions. Not 100% on that, but it would make sense.
While that does sound reasonable, that is not how it works.
Patents are typically good for 20 years but every few years Ecotech is evolving and it allows for a continuation of patent. Latest patent was in 2022 and was a continuation from their 2020 patent. They have done multiple continuations from their first patent in 2012.
It's not greed
Patents are somewhat useless unless you have deep enough pockets to defend them. Their patent is not likely deterring anybody large from entering the space and not going to prevent the China knock offs. The reality is that nobody wants to enter a space this small and already saturated with products. If any large enterprise wanted to they would infringe and laugh. The potential revenue stream is tiny and not worth the effort.
I wasn’t quoting the xr30 in that statement. I recently bought a filter roller and the lfs profit was $15.00
It depends on the Item. Your LFS may make 40% on some things and lose 5% on others. In gneral, small retail business need to make 20% average to break even. The problem is, even with 30% markup, shrink (theft, fraud returns, etc) eat away at that more than they ever have before. The price of rent, utilities, leases, etc. are all rising, but retail price increases only cover a fraction of it. Prices go up and sales drop, making the issue even worse.
It can be done on a shoestring, but yes for most people it is an expensive hobby.
No I don't mean like any of those things.
I’ve wondered why these are the only products that have the cord and motor on the outside. Is it a patent thing maybe? I have two 40s, but I’d love to get a couple smaller heads just to kindof get some more flow towards the bottom for detritus etc, but I have no cords now so I hate to start adding cords. Just not worth it for a nice to have to get the mp-10s. I wish someone made a less expensive one, even if the flow was so-so it would be good for some purposes.
And an illustration of how small the market actually is. It is not worth anybody infringing…
Great post. I think the new BRS season of “52 Weeks of Reefing” really spotlights the extent to which they’ve strayed from their roots. Just compare it to the first season. It couldn’t be more different. Season 2 is a constant showcase of incredibly expensive tanks, with every possible piece of expensive equipment they can cram onto/into them, leading potential new hobbyists to believe that you require all of these things to run a successful reef aquarium. I was stunned when I realized that the tone/style of Season 2 was going to be this way. I figured it would be much like Season 1, helping new reefkeepers understand how pillars of reefkeeping work, and simply applying the new knowledge gained in previous years of research and experimentation. But now it’s clear - that is not at all their primary aim now.
I've concluded that about season 1. And wonder if our opinion is based on our experience at the time we become aware of the videos.
