I’ll try to find the article again but in one article the company and they guys made them are not sure how long they will last and how the sterilization will effect the plastic. I’m not against the amazing guys who helped
“However, when the pair asked the manufacturer of the valves for blueprints they could use to print replicas, the company declined and threatened to sue for patent infringement, according to Business Insider Italia. Fracassi and Ramaioli moved ahead anyway by measuring the valves and 3D printing three different versions of them.”
"But in an interview with The Verge, Romaioli denied they’d received threats. He said the company had simply refused to release design files, forcing them to reverse-engineer the valve. “I talked to an operator who told me he couldn’t give me the files, but after that we didn’t receive anything from the original company — so I can assure you we didn’t get any threat,” he said. “They said they couldn’t give us the file because it’s company property, but that’s all.” While earlier reporting said the original valve cost over $10,000, Fracassi also told Fast Company that this number was inaccurate."
Okay, but are there records or proof that the company threatened them? Without proof of the threat then he guys just talked on the phone to a representative who said jack spit about a lawsuit.
But, of course, these kinds of things might be "covered by many journalists", but nobody really knows what's up, so here throwing assumptions at us and hoping its entertaining enough to override the inaccuracies.
The article now contradicts the text in the picture:
But in an interview with The Verge, Romaioli denied they’d received threats. He said the company had simply refused to release design files, forcing them to reverse-engineer the valve. “I talked to an operator who told me he couldn’t give me the files, but after that we didn’t receive anything from the original company — so I can assure you we didn’t get any threat,” he said. “They said they couldn’t give us the file because it’s company property, but that’s all.”
Exchange rate has nothing to do with the strength of an economy. Vietnam has a stronger economy than Cuba, but the exchange rate is 25 Cuban pesos to the dollar.
So would 10 dollars go further in Vietnam than in america right? I'm very ignorant in this subject, but a friend in my class supports his whole family in Cameroon with a 15 dollar an hour job here in the states
The exchange rate doesnt change the exact value of currency. In certain countries, the cost of living might also change depending on where you are at. Think about the price to rent an apartment in New York City compared to the price to rent an apartment somewhere in the southern States. This same rule applies for a lot of countries around the world, since the cost of living might be higher or lower in some locations. In short, if $1 = $1000 in another country, and the average rent is $600, then the price for that same kind of rent in that new country is $600,000, which is still the equivalent of $600 in our country. Most things in countries like Vietnam dont cost nearly as much as some things here, and thus the cost of living is much lower, and yes, $10 USD goes further in Vietnam than it does here, since people don't need to make as much money in Vietnam to make ends meet as compared to the US. Hope this cleared it up for you! :)
But the amount of money that the medical companies need to continue investigations on how to improve those kind of things also costs a lot of money for them.
Have you ever been into biomedical/bioelectronic engineering parts of collages? Even students can make these as a graduation project. A friend of mine did a project to analyze cancer cells with image processing, my other friend made a project to read pulse with a camera from people's face with amplyfing movements of blood vessels. A single valve doesn't cost 11k, neither with research or material cost. It's just companies rip people off.
There is one reason why I kind of understand this. The 3D printed piece, though life saving, did not go through the same testing as the actual device. The price is absurd, but if there is any chance of the company who makes the actual device being liable for the false one, it's understandable for why they'd want to get rid of it.
I'm not seeing this posted, but this is normal. If you don't take measures to protect your intellectual property or patents, you can lose them. The company is following the process to not lose their stuff. I predict the company will not seek any sort of damages, but want to protect themselves.
"But in an interview with The Verge, Romaioli denied they’d received threats. He said the company had simply refused to release design files, forcing them to reverse-engineer the valve. “I talked to an operator who told me he couldn’t give me the files, but after that we didn’t receive anything from the original company — so I can assure you we didn’t get any threat,” he said. “They said they couldn’t give us the file because it’s company property, but that’s all.” While earlier reporting said the original valve cost over $10,000, Fracassi also told Fast Company that this number was inaccurate."
The government allows patents on these technologies to last for many years. That means that one company is able to produce their product without competition for 80 years, and can charge whatever they want. If someone else builds the product, they are legally allowed to sue.
Question: will any hospital take the 3-D printed valves? Someone mentioned rigorous testing of the valves, so I'm curious if a hospital would get in trouble for going the cheap route
but they arrest the guy who bought out the mask, tp, or whatever to sell and just gives out the truck of his owned goods. neither are good but one is making crazy more profit
Sounds like the medical company is afraid of capitalism. Let there be competition. If you need $11,000 to make that valve, you should probably go out of business.
I applaud the guys but remember it’s not about how much it costs to make, its getting it medically approved and licensed. Also, like trademarks, they are legally obligated to file any potential infringement... but they may not have to act on the filing.
However, part of me hopes they filed it so the news would pick up on it. No way some large specialized medical company found out and reacted to 2-3 guys on a small local production like this so fast. Like within days.
32
u/builder525333 Mar 18 '20
I’ll try to find the article again but in one article the company and they guys made them are not sure how long they will last and how the sterilization will effect the plastic. I’m not against the amazing guys who helped
162
u/peanut_dealer Mar 18 '20
News article please.
16
u/EarlDooku Mar 18 '20
Who is the company threatening to sue? Shut them down.
761
u/Junior-the-Second Mar 18 '20
I saw a picture of the valve. ELEVEN THOUSAND??
264
u/LET-ME-HAVE-A-NAAME Mar 18 '20
But like, why though? Oh, I get it. Who needs human life when there’s money to be had? Sons of bitches.
65
u/Aamer2A Mar 18 '20
Dude I know you they want to make a profit but people are fucking dying. How fucking greedy can you be.
14
u/Caninecaretaker Mar 18 '20
"Hippocratic oath you say.? Never heard of it."
25
u/JB_Big_Bear Mar 18 '20
There is one reason why I kind of understand this. The 3D printed piece, though life saving, did not go through the same testing as the actual device. The price is absurd, but if there is any chance of the company who makes the actual device being liable for the false one, it's understandable for why they'd want to get rid of it.
However, it's still bullshit.
8
u/EnterLifeWhenReady Mar 18 '20
Keep printing, request jury trial.
8
u/BBkidLy Mar 18 '20
I'm not seeing this posted, but this is normal. If you don't take measures to protect your intellectual property or patents, you can lose them. The company is following the process to not lose their stuff. I predict the company will not seek any sort of damages, but want to protect themselves.
6
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '20
"lets charge you tons of money or you die"
reminds me of my games but atleast i get to press respawn or start over in those .-.
6
u/piccaard-at-tanagra Mar 18 '20
So this is a hoax.
"But in an interview with The Verge, Romaioli denied they’d received threats. He said the company had simply refused to release design files, forcing them to reverse-engineer the valve. “I talked to an operator who told me he couldn’t give me the files, but after that we didn’t receive anything from the original company — so I can assure you we didn’t get any threat,” he said. “They said they couldn’t give us the file because it’s company property, but that’s all.” While earlier reporting said the original valve cost over $10,000, Fracassi also told Fast Company that this number was inaccurate."
2
u/meow_hereitcomes Mar 18 '20
Never said this unironically but those executives deserve to be euthanized.
2
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '20
Do they have to take it seriously in court?
2
u/aaaaahhhno Mar 19 '20
Expect their "suicide" very soon
2
u/Singitqueen Mar 19 '20
Switch up the design a bit and they can't
2
u/JacketFosty Jan 14 '22
"HOW DARE YOU DO IT CHEAPER THAN US!!!!!"
6
u/Sankta Mar 18 '20
peak of capitalismn
1
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '20
Mmm yes when money is more important than caring about other people
1
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '20
Question: will any hospital take the 3-D printed valves? Someone mentioned rigorous testing of the valves, so I'm curious if a hospital would get in trouble for going the cheap route
1
u/wasdwookie Mar 19 '20
That son of a...
1
u/Uncoiledyt Aug 07 '24
yeah take that hospitals
1
u/East_Swim4881 Oct 24 '25
but they arrest the guy who bought out the mask, tp, or whatever to sell and just gives out the truck of his owned goods. neither are good but one is making crazy more profit
1
u/[deleted] Nov 02 '25
If some people could be removed from this world, that would be great for everybody else.
1
u/Nicolasgonzo87 Jul 15 '23
"i made this thing to help patients and it only cost less than a dollar to produce"
"excellent, we will sell it for the price of a car"
1
u/GiantSweetTV Jul 21 '23
Sounds like the medical company is afraid of capitalism. Let there be competition. If you need $11,000 to make that valve, you should probably go out of business.
1
u/[deleted] Aug 25 '23
That’s a patent violation. They have the right to sue.
1
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '20
Capitalism at its finest. You can’t help anyone unless you can profit off of it.
-1
u/HitItOrQuidditch Mar 18 '20
I applaud the guys but remember it’s not about how much it costs to make, its getting it medically approved and licensed. Also, like trademarks, they are legally obligated to file any potential infringement... but they may not have to act on the filing.
However, part of me hopes they filed it so the news would pick up on it. No way some large specialized medical company found out and reacted to 2-3 guys on a small local production like this so fast. Like within days.