Pampered Chef Stealing Inventions?

[Paige Dixon]

Three years ago this summer I had a show for a very friendly host who loves our products. Before the show as we were setting up, she gave me a Chopster that her father-in-law invented. It is exactly like our new Mix n Chop except it is white and only 4 arms coming out instead of 6. She told me that they had presented it to Pampered Chef who was not interested. They sent him a letter stating that it was not a product they would sell. He was having alot of trouble marketing this tool. I've used his Chopster for almost 3 years and I've loved how great a tool it is!

Imagine my surprise when PC came out with the Mix n Chop!

Well, last night I had a show where this former host attended as a guest. She got there early and was very anxious to see the Mix n Chop. She told me that her in-laws are sueing Pampered Chef for stealing his invention.

Understandibly, her husband would not allow her to buy anything at the show.

Do you think they can pass this idea off as their own just by adding 2 more arms and coloring it black??!!

 

[gilliandanielle]

I read something somewhere about the PC product development team work 7-8 years ahead (like they are working on products now for 2014-2015) but can't remember where I read that. My director is on the product committee and gives ideas and input for at least 2-3 seasons ahead I think...

I really hope that PC had something similar before this guy ever even approached them...

 

[Paige Dixon]

I was given mine 3 years ago and it had been fully produced. He had hundreds of them already. I don't know how long ago he did a design or when he presented it to PC.

I remember her telling me that the first model was made of wood (like a wooden spoon) and he had upgraded it to the white nylon like I have.

 

[dannyzmom]

I read something somewhere about the PC product development team work 7-8 years ahead (like they are working on products now for 2014-2015) but can't remember where I read that. My director is on the product committee and gives ideas and input for at least 2-3 seasons ahead I think...

I really hope that PC had something similar before this guy ever even approached them...

This is true - PC already knows today what prosucts they are working on for 4-5 years from now. My sister-director was on the PD Committee last year. They probably had theirs in the workds long before this guy presented his idea to them.

 

[Paige Dixon]

I hope so, but I don't think so. She says they have a letter from PC saying that they wouldn't sell that kind of product. (she told me the exact wording, but I can't remember).

 

[gilliandanielle]

I don't doubt him, but I just wish/hope that this isn't true!

 

[BethCooks4U]

This is true - PC already knows today what prosucts they are working on for 4-5 years from now. My sister-director was on the PD Committee last year. They probably had theirs in the workds long before this guy presented his idea to them.

And I am sure they are as careful about copyrights and they are at protecting theirs.

I also noticed that there are often products similar to ours that show up on store shelves right around the time ours do so I am sure it happens a lot.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I hope so, but I don't think so. She says they have a letter from PC saying that they wouldn't sell that kind of product. (she told me the exact wording, but I can't remember).

Well, it it's true, it's a good thing she kept the letter. Let us know what happens.

 

[chefpayne]

Did he have the invention patiented? Did he sell any of his to individuals? I have a friend with something just like what your talking about.

 

[janetupnorth]

Paige - I'm curious when you hear more about this - can't find a THING in the patent database...of course searching isn't the easiest...but interested to know how it turns out.

 

[Paige Dixon]

Yes, I understood that it is patented. I think he has sold very few. I was given one for free as was last night's host. I don't know how many were given away. I thought it was such a cool tool and I didn't understand why he had such trouble finding companies to market it for him.

 

[Paige Dixon]

Did he have the invention patiented? Did he sell any of his to individuals? I have a friend with something just like what your talking about.

Which product did your friend have situation about?

 

[Paige Dixon]

Just logged off to clean the bathroom and came up with a common sense thought:

Pampered Chef wouldn't have such an indisputed good reputation if they stole inventions. Yes, it sucks for this inventor, I sort of hope he'll be awarded something in the law suit if they find that to be appropriate. But I'm sure PC doesn't steal inventions or they wouldn't have had such an awesome reputation for so long.

 

[janetupnorth]

Just logged off to clean the bathroom and came up with a common sense thought:

Pampered Chef wouldn't have such an indisputed good reputation if they stole inventions. Yes, it sucks for this inventor, I sort of hope he'll be awarded something in the law suit if they find that to be appropriate. But I'm sure PC doesn't steal inventions or they wouldn't have had such an awesome reputation for so long.

I would agree with you Paige, that's why I'm curious how the "whole story" turns out. When I worked at Master Lock, we'd get "ideas" from people all the time and if we already had a patent on an idea, but it wasn't to market yet, they'd get a "I'm sorry" we cannot use your idea letter, rather than a "sorry, it's already patented and we're brining it to market on X day..." You can't reveal ALL your secrets as a company or you wouldn't get where you are today.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I would agree with you Paige, that's why I'm curious how the "whole story" turns out. When I worked at Master Lock, we'd get "ideas" from people all the time and if we already had a patent on an idea, but it wasn't to market yet, they'd get a "I'm sorry" we cannot use your idea letter, rather than a "sorry, it's already patented and we're brining it to market on X day..." You can't reveal ALL your secrets as a company or you wouldn't get where you are today.

That makes more sense than that PC just "stole" an invention from someone. Doris is a hero of mine in the Ethics dept., and I just can't imagine that she would allow such unethical behavior.

 

[Debrachef]

I remember whatching Oprah a few years ago where she had invited women entreprenuers and inventors onto her show. I believe there was a contest on her show as well, for best idea. There was a lady there with the very same product, (can't recall what she named it though) and I think she won as the best idea as well! She was even on QVC right after the appearance on Oprah. So I was suprised when PC came out with it as well. I thought maybe they bought the copyright/patent from her.

 

[chefpayne]

Paige, I meant that she has a chopper like you described and got it at
Wal-Mart or somewhere like that. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[bbauman07]

I don't know that a product like that can be patented. The reason I say that is if that were the case only 1 company could sell a food chopper, only on company could sell cookware, only one company could sell a spoon. Right????

 

[tiffanypc05]

A lot of our items had patent but when they the patent runs out, other companies are allowed to make similar ones. Why do you think all of a sudden all the kitchen stores now carry our all purpose measuring cup.

 

[janetupnorth]

http://www.parkers-pantry.com/product.php?productid=558

Does this look like one of our new products?

 

[janetupnorth]

...and if the person Paige met thinks he "invented" the mix 'n chop - take a look at this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Food-Chopper-Processor-Kitchen-Utensil-Lot-of-2_W0QQitemZ160098053345QQcategoryZ14903QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...bet that was before his invention...

 

[janetupnorth]

...and I saw a "janets..." was bidding on it - too funny - NOT ME!

 

[pampermemelody]

Wow! That looks exactly like ours! I also saw a floral silicone pan like ours at Williams and Sanoma last year.

 

[pampermemelody]

Hmm I may not use that chopper on my executive cookware...

 

[MandyK]

There are no truly new ideas -- just new and improved ones! But, there are exceptions to every rule -- one of my clients "invented" bottled ice tea in the 60s and no one would buy it! Today bottled ice tea is a standard. It's all about timing sometimes.

 

[janetupnorth]

There are no truly new ideas -- just new and improved ones! But, there are exceptions to every rule -- one of my clients "invented" bottled ice tea in the 60s and no one would buy it! Today bottled ice tea is a standard. It's all about timing sometimes.

Hmm...we could argue about "inventing" vs. "repackaging"....naw....not worth it.


Times change...


Change is inevitable...growth is optional...

 

[MandyK]

that's why I put it in "quote"

 

[pamperedharriet]

...and if the person Paige met thinks he "invented" the mix 'n chop - take a look at this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Food-Chopper-Processor-Kitchen-Utensil-Lot-of-2_W0QQitemZ160098053345QQcategoryZ14903QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...bet that was before his invention...

Gosh--those are disgusting--I wouldn't want my food to touch them! They are great for someone who wants to "display" things like that though. No, I'm not bidding or buying them. I want more PC stuff for my kitchen!

 

[janetupnorth]

My favorite so far...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-Patd-1893-Iron-Food-Chopper-With-6-Blades_W0QQitemZ110106369855QQcategoryZ14903QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[rennea]

My favorite so far...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-Patd-1893-Iron-Food-Chopper-With-6-Blades_W0QQitemZ110106369855QQcategoryZ14903QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I guess whoever came up with that can sue this guy Paige knows Wow I think I'm going to have to bid on that