[rollei_list] Re: "NIH Syndrome" (was: Liquid Lenses)
- From: Peter Kotsinadelis <peterk727@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 09:08:25 -0800
You are correct, I worked for SONY for a short while, the Japanese
companies are closed to ideas unless they originate inside Japan.
Those in the US likened it to a Glacier whose movement once started in
a particular direction was impossible to stop. They also believe,
unlike North American companies, that while you can compete with
companies, you can also supply them parts as it is good business.
Case in point, Mitsubishi TV Picture Tubes are all made by SONY
(different mask), Kodak video tape, batteries, Dell Laptops (at least
in the late 90s), and many other items you take for granted are really
made by SONY.
Peter K
On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 20:47:59 -0500, Ardeshir Mehta
<ardeshir@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>=20
> On Friday, January 21, 2005, at 06:22 AM, Bob Shell wrote:
>=20
> > On Thursday, January 20, 2005, at 09:10 PM, Ardeshir Mehta wrote:
> >
> >> The Minolta company even phoned me from Japan to ask about my patent
> >> (I had registered my idea with the US Patent Office in Washington),
> >> but they never followed up - for God alone knows what reason. (Maybe
> >> someone in their firm had already thought of the idea.)
> >
> > NIH syndrome. Not Invented Here.
> >
> > There was a company some time ago that produced some prototypes using
> > an oil between two plates of flexible polymer. It worked just as you
> > describe. I don't know if this was before or after your idea.
> >
> > I stopped taking patentable ideas to Japanese companies some time ago
> > because they always just stole the ideas and dared me to sue them.
> >
> > Bob
>=20
> You know, I think you are right. Normally I have a VERY high regard for
> Japanese companies, seeing as my Honda (and before that, my Toyota)
> gave me many years of trouble-free driving; but I have come to realise
> that they are all the same a bit clannish, and closed to foreign
> suggestions. And as you say, it's very hard to sue them, in Japan
> anyway, and very expensive to do so in North America.
>=20
> As opposed to them, McLaren, to whom I made a few suggestions when they
> were building their million-dollar supercar, even invited me for a test
> drive when it was launched! (The drive was to take place, however, in
> Switzerland, and I had to get there all on my ownsome ... and at that
> time I couldn't get away for family reasons even if I could have
> afforded to, which I could have, but just barely. But now I do regret
> having turned them down: it would have been the memory of a lifetime,
> something to recount *ad nauseam* to my kids and grand-kids at the
> dining room table!)
>=20
> They even sent me a Christmas card with Santa driving the McLaren
> supercar ... a wonderful gesture, I thought.
>=20
> Cheers.
>=20
> Ardeshir <http://homepage.mac.com/ardeshir/AllMyFiles.html>
>=20
>=20
--=20
Peter K
=D3=BF=D5=AC
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