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Snowblower Recalls, Just in time for Summer

May 12th, 2016. By Admin

Here’s a question—what do you do when your snow blower catches fire? Who knew they could? It’s minus 20 outside, and you’re out there clearing an apocalyptic snow fall from your driveway and bammo! —up the thing goes in flames. From snow blower to barbeque—just like that. I’m betting that would improve a person’s circulation pretty fast.

Seems crazy right? But a quick scan on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website reveals that spontaneous combustion (ok—that’s a little melodramatic perhaps) isn’t such an uncommon trait among these devices, begging the question—has anyone bothered to test their design?

The most recent recall for snow blowers that can overheat, “posing a fire and burn hazard,” as the CSPC puts it, is Ryobi Brushless Snow Blowers. (Yes—brushless. Don’t ask.)

On April 26^th—just a little late in the season guys—a recall notice was posted for these things in the US and the great white north just across the border (Canada).

The description on the CPSC website states that One World Technologies (there’s your first clue) had posted an important safety notice on its website. They were recalling 300 of these things in the US and some 370 in Canada.

Short of experiencing the pyrotechnics first hand, how are you supposed to know if you have a defective “Ryobi 40-Volt Brushless Snow Blower”? There should be model number information on the back of the blower–and you’re looking for model numbers RY40802, RY40802A and RY40822.

The CPSC blurb continues: “One World has received two reports of snow blowers overheating during or immediately after use. Of the two reports, one consumer reported seeing flames which were immediately extinguished. No injuries or property damage have been reported.” Well, that’s a relief.

The recommended course of action to avoid possibly injury or property damage? “Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled snow blowers…(if the thing caught fire I would imagine it would have stopped working of its own accord) and return them to One World Technologies for a full refund.” Of course, if you can’t get out of your driveway because you haven’t been able to clear a path because your snow blower caught fire, well…at least summer’s on the way.

The good news is you only have to travel to you nearest Home Depot, and get in line with dozens of other people, who may be returning other defective snow blowers. Here’s a list of “related recalls” as posted on the CSPS website, just in case you missed them

All (not just some, so don’t worry if you threw the packaging out) Power America Snow Throwers 

Briggs & Stratton Ariens Compact Snow Blowers, Due to Fire Hazard

Toro Power Clear Snowblowers and Recycler Mowers, Due to Fire or Burn Hazard (they’ve got both seasons covered)

American Honda Snowblowers, Due to Fire Hazard

Snow Blowers by The Toro Company, Due to Fire Hazard

Sno-Tek Snow Blowers by Liquid Combustion Technology, Due to Laceration Hazard

Love this one – “Snow Throwers by Ariens Company Due to Injury Hazard.” Yes, “Injury” – leaving their options open, I guess. According to the blurb: “Users trying to clear the collector or discharge chute while the machine is operating could be at risk of a finger or hand injury hazard.” You think?

Who knew that clearing snow could be such a dangerous and adrenalin filled experience. Wonder what grass cutting season will bring?

Tags: Defective Products, Recall, Snowblower
Posted in Defective Products | 1 Comment »

Lawsuit: My Left Shark…Your Left Shark? Or Katy Perry’s?

February 17th, 2015. By Admin

Costume capers and the dancing “Left Shark”—ringing any bells? Think Super Bowl XLIX…Kate Perry’s half time show…and those dancing sharks. What is it about Super Bowl half time shows? This year, apparently Perry’s sidekicks—the dancing sharks—weren’t groovin’ to the same tune, which led to some interesting choreography. The “Left Shark” decided to ad lib a bit—or maybe the valium had kicked in—who knows—but he/it did its own thing which reportedly went viral on the Internet. Of course. Shortly thereafter—as in days, I think, an enterprising designer from Florida, one Fernando Sosa, started selling models of the “Left Shark” on the 3-D marketplace Shapeways. And, Katie Perry’s lawyers thought this a little fishy.

While Sosa was not the only one capitalizing on the “Left Shark’s” 15 minutes of fame, he did find himself on the end of a cease and desist letter ordering him to remove the $24.99 shark from Shapeways. While Sosa complied, he is offering a 3-D pattern of the shark as a free download on MarketBot’s Thingiverse site.

According to my favorite news site—The New York Post—Sosa sold about 14 of his 3-D-printed Left Shark models within 24 hours, before they were taken down. All the money was returned, and production was halted, he told Marketwatch.

“I did propose licensing, but the lawyer turned me down saying they don’t have anything set up,” Sosa said. That was a bit slow on their end. Sosa said lawyers informed him that the beach balls and palm trees dancing alongside Perry were also off limits. Dancing palm trees… just how much Bud Light had people had by half time?

The issue is who owns the costume copyright. According to Eric Goldman, a law professor specializing in copyright issues at Santa Clara University, that’s not so clear. If the design of the costume is unique it can be copyrighted. There’s a dilemma just waiting for a court room.

“Just because [Perry] was dancing near the shark doesn’t give her ownership,” Goldman told MarketWatch. She would need to have registered her copyright for the shark costume or provide written proof that one of her employees designed it before she could move forward with a lawsuit, he said. (really?)

Whether Shapeways or Sosa could be held liable if a lawsuit were to be filed remains a gray area because it’s not clear whether Perry has filed copyright paperwork or if the costume was based on someone else’s design, Goldman said.

You know, this whole costume copyright thing has more potential than the dancing sharks that spawned it. I think there may be a bright future ahead for copyright attorneys.

Posted in Crazy Sh*t Lawyers See | No Comments »