Comments on: How the Honeywell, Nest lawsuit could stifle innovation

By: vdiv

vdiv — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:42:55 +0000

Nest could have tried to license these technologies from Honeywell. How are other companies making thermostats?

By: Katie Fehrenbacher

Katie Fehrenbacher — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:16 +0000

Yeah agreed. Its a cliche and overused. But also unfortunately true, I think, too.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:35:36 +0000

“It’s unfortunate that instead of commercializing some of these products, these big companies will just crush them rather than see them come to market.”

(1) If Nest really is infringing on someone else’s patents, Nest should expect a response.

(2) Isn’t Honeywell introducing a modern thermostat? That would mean they’re innovating in the thermostat industry, rather than hampering innovation.

(BTW I have no commercial interest in any company.)

By: Dan Bowen

Dan Bowen — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:11:22 +0000

Took the words right out of my mouth…the patent portfolio wars seem to have gigantic political overtones to them.

By: Katie Fehrenbacher

Katie Fehrenbacher — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:53:56 +0000

Since Nest made the Apple version of the thermostat (amazing design) someone should make the Google/Android, cheap and open version. Set the thermostat free. Anyone?

By: Katie Fehrenbacher

Katie Fehrenbacher — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:50:43 +0000

@PXLated. Whoa. Now that’s a difficult market to innovate in.

By: PXLated

PXLated — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:56:10 +0000

I remember when we were setting up the original Best Buy site you had to have all kinds of rules based on zip code because in some locals you couldn’t sell something as simple as a dryer exhaust hose (the big, white slinky type hoses) directly to a consumer, they had to be installed by a professional. — Crazy

By: prasanth

prasanth — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:36:21 +0000

Funny how the “stifle innovation” concept is never brought up when Apple sues companies. Also, there is no underdog story with Apple – they started suing after they were already quite big post iPod/iPhone successes.

Laws/views/principles shouldn’t change depending on whether you (and other Silicon Valley ppl) like the company or not.

By: Jessie Martin

Jessie Martin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:32:02 +0000

This thermostat was marketed in a market that is not customary for the HVAC trade. Most states require a liscense to do repair or do maintenance on hvac systems, to advertise to sell straight to consumer or have big box stores install these technical devices by-passing the normal channels realy steps on some toes. Our government through regulation and other control is making it very expensive to be in the hvac business or trade, any attempt to by pass this will be met with opposition. Honeywell has a large stake in thier own version of this thermostat that is sold almost exclusivly through hvac supply houses to hvac proffesionals for profesional installation.