"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
...


"Steve" wrote
Does anyone remember the Mercedes Benz commercials about 10 to 15 years
ago where an MB engineer mentions the fact that they were the ones who
developed air-bag technology for their cars. He is asked why they did not
patent the invention and instead shared the technology with other car
manufacturers. He replies that "some inventions are too important not to
share". It seems to me that the Saw Stop people could do the same by
allowing their technology to be used by others at a small fixed price per
unit and still make a nice return on their design.

Just wondering...

Steve

I see the problem.

"SawStop asks for licensing fees of 3 percent of the saw's wholesale price
to start. As the device becomes more widespread, the fees could increase
to 8 percent. The price of table saws range from $200 to several thousand
dollars."

If he was closer to the 3% than the 8% it may fly, but adding a couple
hundred bucks for the actual hardware and then 8% on top, the saw becomes
uncompetitive.

On the other hand, if you customer base is not buying your product because
it lacks this popular safety feature they also become uncompetitive.
If the unions would bow out and let the manufacturers pay what the skill of
putting together a TS is "actually" worth the company could pay the license
fee and make a profit, probably a larger profit. If your productions costs
are in excess to start with it is also very hard to be competitive.