Play Meter

Issue: 1985 November 15 - Vol 11 Num 21

Scholanhlp fund
Letters to
the editor • • •
Infringement action
For the information of operators
and distributors of electronic dart
games by Nomac:
Arachnid has notified you that, as
a result of a jury verdict , it obtained an
injunction against IDEA enjoinit"lg
IDEA from making, using, or selling
IDEA dart board components found
to infringe. This injunction only applies
to IDEA and those in privity with it,
such as its agents and employees . The
law is clear that this injunction does
not affect Nomac or you as an opera·
tor or a distributor of Nomac games.
Even the operators and distribu ·
tors of IDEA are not affected by the
injunction if they purchase the IDEA
games. [Blat z u. The Fair, 178 F.Supp.
691 (N.D . II. 1959) ; Petersen u. Fee
Intern ., Ltd., 435 F.Supp. 938 (W.O .
Okl a . 1975).]
To prevent use o r resale of the
IDEA games by an operator or dis·
tributor, Arachnid would be required
to bring a separate lawsuit against
each operator or dist ributor . In such a
lawsuit Arachnid would not be able to
collect damages because Arachnid
would already have collected damages
from IDEA for the use or resale. [5
Chisum, Patents Sub-Sec t. 20.03[7] at
20-245 (1985) .] Thus , the outcome of
the infringement action against
Nomac also will not affect you , even if
by a remote chance Arachnid should
win .
Fred Kvll ey
N<•mac
Algonquin, Ill.
PLAY METER. November 15, 1985
As you know, my brother, who
was a partner in our firm, passed away
several years ago . Our firm , the writer ,
and his family have set up a scholar·
ship fund in his memory at the Scran·
ton Preparatory School in Scranton,
Pa .
This is a very special fund, not only
because it is in memory of my brother,
but also because it gives a fatherless
child an opportunity to obtai n a formal
education at one of the finest prep
schools in the country. The recipient
of the scholarship must be from a
fatherless family .
We are requesting that you give
consideration to help us make this
fund grow. Any sum you can con·
tribute would certainly be welcome.
We as a corporation , as individu-
als, an d as a family are continuing to
add to this fund each eyar. Your con·
tribution along with ours will help
several other boys obtain the same
benefits as this first recipient.
Please make your check payable
to The Alphonse R. Lomma Scholar·
ship Fund and mail it to the school as
follows : Rev. Joseph D . Ayd , S .J ., Pre·
sident, Scranton Preparatory School ,
1000 Wyoming Ave., Scranton , PA
18509.
R. J . Lomma
Lomma Enterprises, Inc.
Scranton, Pa .
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5
UP FRONT
Manufacturers and operators
getting it together
The positive attitude at the AMOA show was a
refreshing change from the doldrums the industry
had been drifting in previously . Many claimed that
this summer was one of the worst, yet those who
experienced it are ready to forget the past and get
on with the future .
The disposition of the operators was conta-
gious . Distributors and manufacturers could not
help but be influenced by the air of optimism .
One of the most encouraging events at the
show involved communication between operators
and manufacturers . Communication between the
groups has been reputed to be of major urgency ,
and we saw it perhaps at its best in a seminar hosted
by Todd Erickson of Summit Amusement on
standardization within the industry . The manufac-
turers deserve an ovation for their participation ; Dan
VanEideren of Atari , Frank Ballouz of Nintendo ,
Steve Blattspieler of Bally, and Joe Dillon of Williams
bypassed the many parties scheduled that night to
participate in the seminar.
Erickson outlined various machine features he
felt could be standardized on all machines . Some
included locks , coin mechanisms , on / off controls ,
volume controls , bookkeeping features , fuses , and
coils . These are just examples , but each was dis-
cussed in detail. And though the audience should
have been composed of operators . it was made up
mostly of manufacturers (other Williams and Atari
personnel) and suppliers (Wico and Coin Mecha-
nisms) . These people truly were interested in opera-
tor suggestions , but only a handful of operators
showed up .
The biggest surprise , however , was that the
manufacturers agreed on four things that they
would begin working to standardize: a %-inch lock
with a straight cam , the on/ off switch on the top
right of the machine , the volume control to be front -
6
door accessible , and at least have the wmng for
mechanical metering . Frank Ballouz stressed the
willingness of manufacturers to help operators .
" We 'll get the ball rolling on these features ," he said ,
" and operators will get together a recommended list
of others ."
Ballouz was referring to a proposed list to be
compiled of features operators would like standar-
dized . Manufacturers w ill begin with those that can
be adapted more easily and work later on the others .
Operators and manufacturers working together
is a giant step forward . For too long one has blamed
the other for the woes of the industry . Now it's time
for mutual concern .
The manufacturers also participated in an
open-mike forum that gave the two groups the
opportunity to discuss issues . Some operators
complained that not enough time was allowed for
the questions and answers . but the manufacturers
were there ready to face the firing line . That alone
says a lot about the intentions of the manufacturers
in this industry .
In the editorial of Play Meter 's October 15 issue,
I wrote about putting aside the industry's past and
getting on with the future . I also believe operators
and manufacturers finally can put in the past any
problems and hard feelings they've had . The AMOA
show proved that manufacturers are willing to meet
operators half way , if not more than that. So, you
operators who are harboring hard feelings toward a
manufacturer, try giv ing them a call to voice your
complaint. I believe you will find someone inclined
to listen .
Valerie Cognevich
Editorial Director
PLAY METER. November 15. 1985

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