Discussion: Ultracade and the Mame Trademark

[RetroJames]

One thing I don't get.  Ultracade has some liscencing and that is a huge plus.  The cabinets are ok, but really nothing special.  Controls are very limited from what I have seen.

Why doesn't DF try to contract the better cabinet builders to produce Ultracades with decent controls?  Would seem to be the best of both worlds if he was really interested in producing a superior product.

*shrug*

 

[IntruderAlert]

Feel free to use this in any way you please:

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[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,32339.0.html] [img]http://img217.exs.cx/img217/5991/ultra0gk.jpg[/img][/url]

[IntruderAlert]

This too:

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[email=david.foley@ultracade.com][img]http://img183.exs.cx/img183/6914/foley6iz.jpg[/img][/email]

[Sasquatch!]

You know, DF was close to having a legitimate gripe, but he completely blew it IMO.

Theoretically, Ultracade is in a different market segment than companies like emdkay.net, mamemarquess, Dream Authentics, etc.: These companies serve hobbyists like ourselves, while Ultracade produces arcade machines for COMMERCIAL use (which, if you think about it, makes sense as to why their machines cost so much more...you can legally charge for play on them).  Even if you're in the market for a MAME machine for yourself (whether you want to build one, or whether you want to buy one off of eBay), you're still in a different market than the one that Ultracade targets.

The utterly frightening part of this is that Ultracade is trying to - at the very least - get money from these companies...companies that, again, service an entirely different market.  That's when they've gone WAY over the line.  What a jerkass.

[Shape D.]

To quote the movie Ace Ventura Pet Detective

If he had held the ball laces out like he's supposed to, Ray would never have missed that kick. Dan Marino Dave Foley should *** ** ********* *** *** ** ****!

[Pete Harcoff]

If someone wanted to create a page that pointed out this issue and have it be the top listing in say google, it should be able to be done using META tags. For instance if you google Ultracade the #1 one page has these defined:

<meta name=keywords
content="ultracade,UltraCade,ultracade technology,ultracade technologies,video game,video games,coin-operated video games,coin-op video games, video arcade games,ArcadePC,MAME,MAME32,multi game,multi-game,Capcom,Hanaho,Nintendo,Atari,MAME games,MAME ROMS">

If I'm not mistaken this is probably good enough to hit the top 1 or 2 in google. Just add a blatant page title that gets attention.

-Goz

Nope.  META keywords mean squat to Google.  What you need is relevant content plus page rank (which depends on outside links).

[ANTI FOLEY]

<voice of reason>

I would refrain from any malicious acts on him personally, his business, or other interests.

[GGKoul]

Humour is always good...

[unix4hire]

I admit I didn't read all 240+ prior posts here but I did read the "letter" Mr. Foley placed on his site.  He clearly states he will withdraw the application for trademark or have it written over to the MAME creators if they step forward.  So, how can we get them to step forward and end this ridiculousness?

http://www.ultracade.com/mame.htm

[Chemixtry]

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

[Fat_Trucker]

They are fully aware and dealing with the situation. Troll back a couple of pages and you will see a link to the official response.

[RetroJames]

I admit I didn't read all 240+ prior posts here but I did read the "letter" Mr. Foley placed on his site.

[APFelon]

I admit I didn't read all 240+ prior posts here but I did read the "letter" Mr. Foley placed on his site.  He clearly states he will withdraw the application for trademark or have it written over to the MAME creators if they step forward.  So, how can we get them to step forward and end this ridiculousness?

Well, considering that Mr. Foley has allegedly committed several crimes, including fraud against the trademark office and interstate racketeering, I'd say he has no leverage in this situation and he'll be lucky to survive this with his company intact. Besides, if you were on the MAME team, would YOU step forward to put yourself in this guys line of fire?

APf

[IntruderAlert]

If someone wanted to create a page that pointed out this issue and have it be the top listing in say google, it should be able to be done using META tags. For instance if you google Ultracade the #1 one page has these defined:

<meta name=keywords
content="ultracade,UltraCade,ultracade technology,ultracade technologies,video game,video games,coin-operated video games,coin-op video games, video arcade games,ArcadePC,MAME,MAME32,multi game,multi-game,Capcom,Hanaho,Nintendo,Atari,MAME games,MAME ROMS">

If I'm not mistaken this is probably good enough to hit the top 1 or 2 in google. Just add a blatant page title that gets attention.

-Goz

Nope.

[Dotmatrix1]

I've also been contacted by this hack requesting that I pay royalties to use a trademark that isn't his, nor has it even been approved yet.

[IntruderAlert]

According to this article on GameDaily
Foley has the coin-op industry believing that he has the patent on the use of PC-based architecture in coin-op systems
http://biz.gamedaily.com/articles.asp?article_id=7675#7675

UltraCade Licenses Design to Tsunami

UltraCade Technologies today announced the completion of a licensing deal with Tsunami Visual.
The deal concerns the use of design patent D428,884

[SirPoonga]

Does hanaho have a patent for their home arcade?

[Stingray]

So let's create a site that tells the truth about this trademeark theft, then everyone on the board with a web page could link to it.  We should be able to get a few hundered pages linking to it without much problem. 

Or, we could all just link to this thread!

If someone would care to write up an article about this (I'm not much of a write myself) I'll be happy to host it on my website and we can all link to it.

-S

[AmericanDemon]

I still think its funny that Ultracade products are being sold through Happs.  http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/gameparts/ultracade_index.htm

[Crazy Cooter]

If someone would care to write up an article about this (I'm not much of a write myself) I'll be happy to host it on my website and we can all link to it.

-S

LOL!

[Thenasty]

if my memory serves me right, Ultracade went belly up before then came back again (maybe when he thought about stealing you know what).

[GGKoul]

I still think its funny that Ultracade products are being sold through Happs.

[SirPoonga]

Anyhow, to the people that think the MAME devs should "step forward", I ask: Why?

[Stingray]

If someone would care to write up an article about this (I'm not much of a write myself) I'll be happy to host it on my website and we can all link to it.

-S

LOL!  You sure got that right Stingray.   You type like I do.

-S

[DreamArcades]

Anyone click on the ultracade google ad that pops up once and awhile.

[Gunstar Hero]

I think Ultracade is still around. They just did that Dragon's Lair/DL2/Space Ace cab last year. 

Hey, you notice the Arcade Classics cab looks like a warped Midway/Pac cab?

I think that's damn funny, since the games list contains no Midway/Namco products.

[SirPoonga]

Anyone click on the ultracade google ad that pops up once and awhile.

[Gunstar Hero]

Hey, I wonder if Mr. Ultracade (TM) (and Digital Leisure) will go after Daphne next?

Probably not, since the name isn't as marketable as that of MAME.

So much hating Mr. Ultracade right now. 

[SirPoonga]

Hey, I wonder if Mr. Ultracade (TM) (and Digital Leisure) will go after Daphne next?

Probably not, since the name isn't as marketable as that of MAME.

No, ultracade doesn't do laserdisc, no need to.

My bad.  I didn't read other post.  Really, they did a laser disc thing. 

[Gunstar Hero]

They just did one... 

[SirPoonga]

well, there oyu go.  There's the reason his sales are not doing well.  He's obviously not advertising it correctly or I would have known

[Gunstar Hero]

They didn't use a laser player tho... they used a "custom PC based emulation program..." (COFFdaphneCOFF)

 

[IntruderAlert]

http://www.homegameroom.com/catalog/images/dragon2lg.gif

[SirPoonga]

There is something wrong with a dragon's lair in a pacman cabinet.

[Fat_Trucker]

Notice that despite his assertion that he would 'be happy to assign the trademark or cancel our application' that he has taken no such action even though MAMEDevs must have been in touch by now.

Another piece of propaganda then!.

For the record if emdkay is thinking about litigation for damages and possibly charges against Foley I am happy to help contribute toward any costs if needed.

Also I wonder if he has actually successfully shaken anyone down for royalties?.

[Shape D.]

I'm sure based on the circumstances that Mr. Foley contacted these guys they would be able to find lawers who will take payment after the case is won.


I also think this brings up the point that we need a way to obtain legal roms. If only starroms had more vendors than Atari and Atari.

[dek]

I'm willing to cough up a few bucks for the lawyer fund as well.

[Crazy Cooter]

I also think this brings up the point that we need a way to obtain legal roms. If only starroms had more vendors than Atari and Atari.

Nobody has proven that roms are legal/illegal.  It has never been to court.  They probably are in the US, but AFAIK it's just been assumed they are because some companies have sent out cease & desist orders.  Whether they actually own the legal rights to the game who knows, they may all be a bunch of Foleys.  Anyhow, show support for starroms by buying their product.  They offer them at a realistic price, give them the money to buy the rights to more.

[SirPoonga]

Here's a couple more he's tring for.

Multicade s/n    76629621
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76629621

Arcade Legends s/n 76611855
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76611855

I changed the links to the status pages, hopefully these wont expire.  Serial numbers added in case they do (Thanks for letting me know they expired emdkay).  I found them searching for "Lee Hagelshaw" in the boolean search.

Paul

Go look at what ultracade sells....

[GGKoul]

Here's a couple more he's tring for.

Multicade s/n    76629621
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76629621

Arcade Legends s/n 76611855
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76611855

I changed the links to the status pages, hopefully these wont expire.