Saturday, July 20th 2013
Swiftech Withdraws H220 CPU Liquid Cooling Kit from US Market
Rouchon Industries Inc., d/b/a/ Swiftech today announced the withdrawal from US sales of the H220 CPU cooling kit. On June 7 2013, Rouchon Industries Inc., d/b/a/ Swiftech received a letter from Asetek' s lawyers claiming that the H220 CPU cooler infringes on their US patents 8,240,362 (the '362 patent) and 8,245,764 (the '764 patent) and to cease selling, offering for sale and importing the H220 CPU cooler in the United States. Pending final disposition of this matter, Swiftech immediately placed a hold on shipments of the H220 CPU cooling kits into the USA.
On June 27, 2013 Swiftech's counsel responded to Asetek' s attorney by a letter stating that preliminarily, Swiftech does not believe that the H220 product infringes any valid claim of the '362 and '764 patents. Nonetheless, in an effort to avoid any unnecessary litigation Swiftech also asked whether Asetek would be willing to offer a nonexclusive license for the asserted patents. On July 12, 2013 Swiftech received a response from Asetek' s law firm stating that the company does not offer licenses.
Swiftech continues to firmly assert its position with regards to the alleged infringement as stated in its letter dated June 27, 2013. Nevertheless, in order to avoid litigation the company's management has now made the business decision to withdraw the H220 CPU cooler from the US market. Given these circumstances, Swiftech wants to hereby reassure its US customers that: 1/ it will continue to provide full technical and warranty support for the H220 CPU cooling kits that have been sold in the US, and 2/ the product will continue to be sold in other countries.
Swiftech sincerely apologizes to its US customers for this extraordinary situation, the very first in its long history. For the past 15 years, Swiftech has been at the forefront of technological innovation in this industry, and it will continue to do so. In the words of Gabriel Rouchon, the company's Chairman and CTA: "I want our customers to know and expect with absolute confidence that Swiftech's resourcefulness will once again be brilliantly demonstrated in the immediate future."
On June 27, 2013 Swiftech's counsel responded to Asetek' s attorney by a letter stating that preliminarily, Swiftech does not believe that the H220 product infringes any valid claim of the '362 and '764 patents. Nonetheless, in an effort to avoid any unnecessary litigation Swiftech also asked whether Asetek would be willing to offer a nonexclusive license for the asserted patents. On July 12, 2013 Swiftech received a response from Asetek' s law firm stating that the company does not offer licenses.
Swiftech sincerely apologizes to its US customers for this extraordinary situation, the very first in its long history. For the past 15 years, Swiftech has been at the forefront of technological innovation in this industry, and it will continue to do so. In the words of Gabriel Rouchon, the company's Chairman and CTA: "I want our customers to know and expect with absolute confidence that Swiftech's resourcefulness will once again be brilliantly demonstrated in the immediate future."
95 Comments on Swiftech Withdraws H220 CPU Liquid Cooling Kit from US Market
I'm hoping that a solution is found that works out for all manufacturers involved, not only for their sake, but also the consumer's.
That said, the Corsair AIOs are not really comparable to the h220. The h220 has a superior pump in every regard - way quieter, much more flow. It is also expandable, in that you can use it to cool your GPUs or any other component you can find a block for. It also comes with much, much better fans.
us.ncix.com/products/?sku=79583&vpn=H220&manufacture=Swiftech&promoid=1258
Although Asetek's response said they did not offer such licensing, I believe the opposite to be true. Visit their site, and others using their technology, and decide for yourself.
Numerous posts herein suggest Asetek is protecting their interests. I totally disagree - what they're doing is using their patent (validity not yet determined) and the threat of a lawsuit related thereto, to eliminate their strongest competition who likely has the best product through intimidation.
I hope somebody has the fortitude to destroy their patents.
For starters, I don't believe Asetek had the first such product. I suspect someone else (CoolerMaster?) had something which serves as apriori.
My 2cents worth.