The suits claim that all three companies continue to manufacture products that infringe patent (US D572,865 S) for a helmet with a small brim. The helmets Bern claims are infringing include the Red Mutiny, the Vans Pro-Tec Riot and the Salomon Ghost and Brigade Audio.
In their “Prayer For Relief” Bern lawyers from the Boston, Massachusetts firm Birnbaum & Godkin are requesting that Burton, Vans, and Amer Sports enjoin from further infringement and that Bern Unlimited, Inc. be awarded “damages in an amount to be proven at trial” and “multiple damages, costs and attorneys fees.”
The patent, awarded to Jonathan Baker of Thornton, New Hampshire on July 8, 2008, shows a helmet that looks much like a batting helmet with no ear covers and a shorter brim. It will be interesting to see if lawsuits based on helmet brim length do in court.
For a full view of the patent (and the lawsuit filed against) follow the jump. [click to continue…]
We at Snowbasin Resort had an incident yesterday for which we have received much deserved criticism. We are frankly embarrassed by this situation and have taken measures to prevent this type of incident occurring in the future. Snowbasin strongly believes in treating all of our guests with respect. We strive to deserve the respect and exceed the expectations of everyone visiting our resort.”
The patroller, seen above, told a snowboarder to “shut his fucking mouth” after one of the snowboarders friends had his pass pulled for what appears on video to be absolutely nothing. Patrollers obviously have a rough job during the holidays, but there really is no reason for them to act like Baltimore Police officers. To his credit the patroller did apologize later in the video.
The Sacramento Bee has run a photo essay on just how bad the Tahoe winter is going right now. And from the looks Squaw Valley, it’s worse than most could imagine. For the rest of the slideshow, click the link.
Oregon’s Mt. Hood Meadows resort was forced to close early yesterday (Wednesday, December 28, 2011) after the resort got over five inches of rain in 24 hours, according to a story on KOIN 6.
Several inches of water pooled on top of the snow creating a wet sloppy mess for skiers and snowboarders. . . “It looks like a lake over there,” said snowboarder Katie Kesee of the puddles near the lodge. Kesee drove up to Meadows from Vancouver Wednesday morning. “Usually it’s snowy and nice around Christmas, not this year,” she added. . . Meadows decided to close all lifts and lodge operations at one o’clock. “There’s nobody up here, nobody,” said Kesee.
Looks like the West’s worst season ever, continues in full effect.
Kimberly Bland, a skier from Florida is suing South Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Ski Resort after she was hit and injured by an on-the-clock mountain employee riding a snowboard, according to a story in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
[Bland] was stopped on the lower Olympic downhill run on the Nevada side of the resort, at about 3:50 p.m. on Jan. 18, trying to decide where to ski next, when Heavenly lift operator Daniel Barreno crashed into Bland on his snowboard, the suit said. . . Bland, a paramedic in the Miami area, was knocked unconscious by the impact and was taken by ambulance to the Barton Hospital emergency department, said the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Reno. . . She suffered injuries to her head, neck, shoulder and back, the suit said.
In the suit Bland is seeking “at least $350,000 in damages, plus costs and fees.” We’ll say this again, though it seems so obvious to us. Any snowboarder who can’t avoid hitting a person stopped on a run, has no right being on the snow. The courts will decide how responsible Heavenly is.
Want to try out all the new Burton product, catch some live music, maybe compete in a snowboard contest while you’re at it? The Burton Mountain Festival (traveling to 10 mountains in four months) has it all covered in this traveling marketing extravaganza brought to you by Mini, Kodak, Mitch by Paul Mitchell, Snowboarder Magazine and sadly, a caffeinated, carbonated, high fructose corn syrup peddler.
Burton Mountain Festival stops will include up to four key elements: Burton Test Ride, Riglet Parks, Pro-Test and live music for an entire day of good times. And while each festival stop will be unique, the foundation of the festival is the Burton Test Ride program, which will be at all 10 stops. Test Ride is where virtually the entire 2012 Burton hardwoods line will be on tap for riders to test at absolutely no charge. Riders can try out a variety of boards, boots and bindings to get a feel for their ultimate set-up.
When we think of hard-charging snowboard boarder cross racers bumping and hopping down an icy race course, we don’t exactly think L.L. Bean. But it appears the Maine based maker of all things classically backwoodsy is trying to change that by signing up two-time Olympic Gold medalist Seth Wescott as a “brand ambassador.” Apparently:
“Seth and L.L.Bean share many of the same values – a love and respect of the outdoors and a passion to educate and inspire youth to enjoy the outdoors,” said Steve Fuller, L.L.Bean Chief Marketing Officer. “He will be a great brand ambassador both here in Maine and around the world.”
The deal is for three years. It would be kind of epic to see Seth flying down a world cup BX course in this. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
