I ride for Ski-Doo but I will use the analogy from any other business stand point on this, patents are filed on equipment so that the person who invented it and creates it and who spends the huge dollars it takes to invent and experiment with ideas has an opportunity to make the funds back and not have it stolen from under the persons nose. I am sure if anyone here invented a wicked idea that thousands or millions of people wanted that you would want the guy down the street just copying your idea and taking all your cash especially if they did not come up with the idea and spend the years it can take to invent something.
I have no idea on the patent or really care in this case however with other companies that friends own this is pretty serious to have patents so that ideas are not stolen.
As far as food being patented, I think that is crazy and something the USA is allowing, which is scary! You can make a difference by choosing what you eat, watch Food Inc. or Food Matters and make the changes you need to!
There is no doubt that the other manufactures are heading towards ride forward designs cause they work however their are rules, like in any other sport (mountain bikes) where companies have to figure out how they are going to do it without copying. This makes them think and spend big dollars to come out with their own solutions to problems and then it is fair since they had to spend equal dollars to bring make their machines better.
You may not like ski doo for doing this but I would be pretty surprised that you would not do the same if you invented it. Also if a company does not defend its patents then they are opening themselves to more people stealing their ideas and products in the future. It is the biggest reason why companies do sue, to make the copier back down or shift, no one wants to spend hard earned dollars in a court room, it sucks for both parties, they would much rather pocket the cash or spend it on R&D. And I am pretty sure we all would too!
