LED lighting in trouble, PFO needs our support!

[bbl_nk]

Well saw this crappy news today and needed to pass it on. Even if you aren't an LED fan or owner, this is a hard blow to innovation in the industry.

Read this post at Reefbuilders: Big trouble brewing for the future of aquarium LEDs | Reef Builders

Here's an excerpt:

Well we started hearing murmurs of trouble brewing at PFO and our investigation has revealed some startling news which will affect the future of all LEDs for aquarium use. The story all began when we were informed that PFO Lighting, one of the leading innovators and manufacturers of aquarium lighting, laid off their entire staff. Why would a thriving company with innovative products such as the Solaris be forced to do such a thing? Because they are being sued by bottom-feeding patent trolls who have nothing to do with our industry! Please read on to learn more about how this lawsuit is damaging innovation in the industry and how it could lead to a complete absence of LED technology in the aquarium hobby.

This gloomy situation all began with a patent lawsuit which was filed by the greedy folks at Orbital Technologies Corporation, also known as Orbitec. For some unknown reason, this primarily aerospace research and development company with over $150 Million in industry and government contracts decided to patent the use of LEDs for Marine aquariums, well after the people began to use LEDs for marine tanks and well after PFO began shipping the Solaris luminaire. Once they were awarded the really broad and obviously bogus patent, Orbitec filed a lawsuit against the most obvious aquarium LED manufacturer PFO. PFO tried to reason with the heartless corporation, even offering to sell the lighting division to Orbitec. The suits at craptec made it clear that they had no intention of operating in the aquarium industry and they demanded 25% royalties on all LED products sold.

With over $150 Million in contracts, what do they care about squeezing out a few grand from the aquarium industry? Well the road to corporate profit and greed is paved on the backs of hard working folks and the path of least resistance is what makes a river crooked; Orbitec couldnt care any less about the industry they are disrupting and the American companies and jobs they are shuttering. As if things weren’t bad enough in this economy, the target of this lawsuit is not some far away Chinese knock off company, it’s a domestic manufacturer which uses nearly all American labor and parts.

Furthermore, the implication of this lawsuit will affect all light fixtures which use LEDs, that means Current, Aqua Illuminators, AquaFX and even all the little moonlight makers could be next on the chopping block. PFO has tried and failed to convince some of these manufacturers that this lawsuit is in the mutual interest of many parties, should Craptec win this lawsuit, they could singlehandedly halt the production of LED fixtures in the aquarium industry for good.

The impending lawsuit scheduled for this month has already stymied aquarium lighting innovation. We know of several LED fixtures which some of these companies have ready for release but they are withholding from the market until the outcome of the Wisonsin based lawsuit. With PFO’s lawyer fees well over 6 digits and climbing, it’s clear that craptec and it’s army of legal hacks are bleeding PFO of capital until they probably cannot fight the lawsuit anymore.

So take a moment to show support to teh PFO team at: PFO Aquatics Contact Us

[Carty]

i sent an email to orbitec

[Amphibious]

I don't have a clue why you would send an E-mail to Orbitec or what you could possibly say that would do anything to help PFO. This is a legal matter that has to work through the legal system because a law suit has been filed. If you are trying to do something good for PFO, e-mail PFO and offer your support there where it is deserved and needed.

It is my belief that PFO has done no wrong and the Orbitec law suit is money grubbing frivolous suit. Let's let it wind it's way through the court system.

I have sold many PFO Solaris units from the original G system through the I5. Pat has always stood for great customer service. Now, because of this law suit his hands are tied, literally, by the judicial system. He has no choice but to cease serving his customers until this is over. Give him a break and your emotional and moral support. He could use friends at this time, not condemnation and prejudice. I am lucky to call Pat a friend. He is an honorable person who brought the reefing industry LED lighting. The defendants in this case had no interest in the aquarium industry until now, in my humble opinion.

Pat, I wish you the best of luck as you go through this lengthy and expensive process. May you come out on top, with your head held high.

Your friend,

Dick

[CarmieJo]

So, after pulling out of China because of QC problems and creating jobs in America for Americans* PFO is forced to idle those workers in tough economic times by what seems like a frivolous lawsuit! What is wrong with this picture?

*Why do I feel extra strongly about this? Because my husband is laid off. Why? Because his company brought an engineer here from China, made my husband train him and then sent the engineer and my husband's engineering job, along with hundreds of manufacturing jobs, to China!

[Carty]

my email said "im glad an American company like Orbitec, with government contracts, is stepping on the little guys during this hard economic time. Thank you" Subject said PFO

[Amphibious]

Carty, thanks for posting the content of your e-mail to Orbitec. It was harmless and vented your frustration with them.

It is truly sad. PFO had to close up completely, not just the aquarium business but, the commercial, household and horticulture divisions, too. All employees have been let go.

I believe Pat will be found innocent of these charges. What is that old saying? From the ashes, a new and better company shall rise. Or something like that. I'm kind of emotionally drained because of this.

Dick

[Amphibious]

I've pulled the following from another forum. Thought you might find it interesting.

Originally Posted by benny z
Posted over at reefbuilders.com
http://www.reefbuilders.com/2009/02/...eds/#more-4332
================================================== ==========
Well we started hearing murmurs of trouble brewing at PFO and our investigation has revealed some startling news which will affect the future of all LEDs for aquarium use. The story all began when we were informed that PFO Lighting, one of the leading innovators and manufacturers of aquarium lighting, laid off their entire staff. Why would a thriving company with innovative products such as the Solaris be forced to do such a thing? Because they are being sued by bottom-feeding patent trolls who have nothing to do with our industry! Please read on to learn more about how this lawsuit is damaging innovation in the industry and how it could lead to a complete absence of LED technology in the aquarium hobby.

This gloomy situation all began with a patent lawsuit which was filed by the greedy folks at Orbital Technologies Corporation, also known as Orbitec. For some unknown reason, this primarily aerospace research and development company with over $150 Million in industry and government contracts decided to patent the use of LEDs for Marine aquariums, well after the people began to use LEDs for marine tanks and well after PFO began shipping the Solaris luminaire. Once they were awarded the really broad and obviously bogus patent, Orbitec filed a lawsuit against the most obvious aquarium LED manufacturer PFO. PFO tried to reason with the heartless corporation, even offering to sell the lighting division to Orbitec. The suits at craptec made it clear that they had no intention of operating in the aquarium industry and they demanded 25% royalties on all LED products sold.

With over $150 Million in contracts, what do they care about squeezing out a few grand from the aquarium industry? Well the road to corporate profit and greed is paved on the backs of hard working folks and the path of least resistance is what makes a river crooked; Orbitec couldnt care any less about the industry they are disrupting and the American companies and jobs they are shuttering. As if things weren’t bad enough in this economy, the target of this lawsuit is not some far away Chinese knock off company, it’s a domestic manufacturer which uses nearly all American labor and parts.

Furthermore, the implication of this lawsuit will affect all light fixtures which use LEDs, that means Current, Aqua Illuminators, AquaFX and even all the little moonlight makers could be next on the chopping block. PFO has tried and failed to convince some of these manufacturers that this lawsuit is in the mutual interest of many parties, should Craptec win this lawsuit, they could singlehandedly halt the production of LED fixtures in the aquarium industry for good.

The impending lawsuit scheduled for this month has already stymied aquarium lighting innovation. We know of several LED fixtures which some of these companies have ready for release but they are withholding from the market until the outcome of the Wisonsin based lawsuit. With PFO’s lawyer fees well over 6 digits and climbing, it’s clear that craptec and it’s army of legal hacks are bleeding PFO of capital until they probably cannot fight the lawsuit anymore.

So Reefbuilders readers, including all of you in the lighting industry we know you’re reading this too, the detritus has hit the fan. The detritus just got real and it is time for us to fight for our industry, for our hobby, and for the good of the American economy. We implore you to become involved in this legal battle anyway you can. Take a moment to email Bob and Marty over at craptec what you think about their indifference towards the aquarium hobby or the well being of American manufacturers. Please contact PFO with your support and most importantly, please comment below on how we can all band together to come to the aid of one of our own in the industry.

This law suit is particularly offensive to me because Orbitec is based in my home town, Madison, WI.

Dick

[Astrivian]

This is truely terrible. I am glad you all posted this up here. I sent an email of support to PFO but i wish i could do more.

[Carty]

so im guessing I cant order a solaris anymore?? damn

[rroselavy]

OK. I feel like a dolt. I just caught wind of this LED issue via brooklynreefdude's recent post in his thread. I had no idea that PFO was effectively gone! Arrgghh...this is bad for Aquarium industry.

Does anyone have any more substantive information as to how Orbitec has a legitimate claim? How can a company patent the use of LEDs for marine aquariums?

BTW: I just noticed last night that 3 blue LEDs are out on one strip of my Solaris G. Ooof...

[bbl_nk]

From what I understand the issue lays in the controller or controlling LEDs in an aquarium. It is truly sad and am extremely frustrated. This comes at a bad time all around. What can we really do for our economy? Start buying local as much as possible. I know we can get things cheaper online but working through your local LFS can help not only keep vendors alive from dying on the vine via relying on online sales via resellers, but will help curb the trend of closing shops.

It can't hurt to ask to see what they can do for you, maybe look into group buys through them or just spending your hard-earned cash locally to help keep business alive. If you take into consideration the cost of shipping and the wait time, a lot of things can become pretty even. Not only are vendors struggling to stay afloat, but the LFS's are in danger too.

If we lose too many vendors or LFS's the impact will be huge on the hobby.

Brian

[Amphibious]

From what I understand the issue lays in the controller or controlling LEDs in an aquarium.

It's not the controllers as I understand it (personal conversation with PFO), it's the LED bulb application for aquariums.

Dick

[rroselavy]

It would be less tragic (and a bit more understandable) if it was the controller aspect and not the LED aspect. After 16+ months with the Solaris G, I must admit that the one part I am not married to is the controller. Sure, I've tried the cloud cover, and am still using the sunrise/sunset feature, but I cannot say that they make nearly as much impact on my reef keeping and the cool running LED bulbs do.

Orbitec's "Sunbow" division has a tiny bit of information on their yet-to-be-released "Apollo" project:

Sunbow Apollo


IMHO, being granted an exclusive patent on the use of LEDs for Marine Aquaria is akin to getting a patent on the use of a kettle to boil water. If true, it is ridiculous. I wonder if the patent application is available publicly...

I am searching....

[rroselavy]

here we go:

US Patent 7473008: Marine LED lighting system and method

The abstract is vague, but the Claims and Description sections down below are of interest.

[bklynreefdude]

At the end of the day this is all moot. PFO is gone regardless of who is right or wrong and we still have these (very expensive and failing) units. No word yet from my spare parts source. We might have to start a DIY thread.

[rroselavy]

True. If you hear of a spare parts supplier, let me know.

I am going to disassemble my fixture to check the wiring of my one LED strip in case anything came loose. Only the blue lights are effected, so I am hoping it is something simple. Otherwise I may have to rearrange my corals a bit so none are too affected by the outtage (or get a 5-6 bulb T5 fixture).

-S

[bklynreefdude]

Hey Rroselavy:

Sent you a PM


Matt

[Rob's Reef]

Man this completely sucks!

Not to mention one of my ballasts just went out... Now i'm sitting on a $2500 light fixture that doesnt work and i have no way of fixing it.....

Thanks Craptec!

So irritated right now!


Good luck Through this Pat, hope you get this handled and get your awesome buisness going again...

[bklynreefdude]

Rob's Reef:

Yeah, the 5 stages, denial, anger, etc. I'mat acceptance finally. Do you a have a Solaris LED unit or PFO MH? You said ballasts. If you mean power supplies for the I4, Ive read about cheap DIY fixes.

Matt

[Rob's Reef]

Rob's Reef:

Yeah, the 5 stages, denial, anger, etc. I'mat acceptance finally. Do you a have a Solaris LED unit or PFO MH? You said ballasts. If you mean power supplies for the I4, Ive read about cheap DIY fixes.

Matt

Hey Matt,

Yeah i have the 48" Solaris I4 One of the ballast stopped working on me... fans don't come on. So only 2 out of the 4 banks of lights are coming on.... ugh

[bklynreefdude]

That is a major drag. I've read that common PC power supplies can be modded to fit. I don't have a lot of electrical expertise but I'll see if I can find that thread or a contact for you to help out. Do you have an electrical genius close by?

[Rob's Reef]

That is a major drag. I've read that common PC power supplies can be modded to fit. I don't have a lot of electrical expertise but I'll see if I can find that thread or a contact for you to help out. Do you have an electrical genius close by?

yeah i have a few electrician buddies... i'll get after them

[kgross]

There are a few places that are trying to find/stock replacement parts for these fixtures.

I believe Southwest Saltwater in Tuscon Arizona is one of them.

Kim

[7perseo7]

i am an electrician if you can post a picture of your setup i might be able to help you.

[Rob's Reef]

I found a guy that has fixed the problem with my power supply... i've had it up and running with no problems since...

Here is his infor if anyone needs a new power supply built...


Yes I can help. It looks like PFO had an oversight when putting together the Solaris. Thus, a power supply design change was required to ensure reliablility. As designed currently, the power supply should fail in the lighting system due to an application oversight. I am working with the power supply manufacturer on a design change that should rectify the problems for good.

The next batch of supplies comes in Mid April. I can slate you for two given that you provide the silver connectors that came off of the bad supplies.

The mailing address is:
5515 E. Grant Road Suite 210
Tucson AZ 85712

The cost is $200 + shipping per supply.
ars@advresourcesolutions.com
Mark


I have pictures of the one he sent back if anyone is interested...
Rob