It would appear that Mr Dyson may not have been the true victor in court regards to the Hoover Vortex. We all know Dyson's side of the story, proclaiming the fact that the vortex infringed Dyson's patents etc etc.

But would you like to here Hoover's side of the story, proclaiming their winning, as apparently the judge decided that the Vortex didn't infringe Dyson.

The below was published on the Hoover website, in January 2001, after the news of Dyson's apparent win in October 2000, so the case must have gone on after Dyson went public with their statements.

Release no: 502
Release date: January 2001

HOOVER WIN AGAINST DYSON

In the latest judgement in the High Court battle between Dyson and Hoover, Dyson has failed in its attempt to get the High Court to stop Hoover using the 'Vortex' trademark and brand name on any of its vacuum cleaners, and especially on its latest technology product 'Vortex Power'. The judge said this was a "disproportionate remedy" and "unjust" and "certainly not necessary".

Speaking today, following the judgement given by Deputy Judge Michael Fysh QC, Alberto Bertali, Managing Director of Hoover, said "We are delighted with this ruling. Again, we confirm our commitment to the retailers and customers that we will continue to produce great bagless cleaners that give choice and value for money".

"In relation to our latest generation of bagless cleaners, Vortex Power and Whirlwind, the judge has indicated that Dyson Appliances Ltd agree that neither product infringes any patents. So it is business as usual."

"We have lodged an Appeal against the ruling that our previous Triple Vortex System infringed a Dyson patent as we are convinced there never was any infringement. Hoover was specifically using a patent recently granted to a specialist technology company, BHR at Cranfield."

Additionally referring to the springboard injunction, Mr Bertali dismissed any impact this might have on the company. "We stopped producing machines using the technology which the subject of this injunction in September 2000. We have moved on to even better products, and this injunction has absolutely no effect on any of these. In this respect it is hardly a victory for Dyson".

"The important point to remember is that Dyson tried to stop Hoover using the 'Vortex' name and logo on our vacuum cleaners and tried to stop further product being developed. Hoover won, Dyson lost. We are confident that there will be a similar outcome at the Appeal hearing of the main patent infringement action.

And then, this extra information below was released in December 2001.

Release Date: 19 December 2001

HOOVER STATEMENT

Hoover acknowledges that the House of Lords has refused it Leave of Appeal against the judgement on the technology used in its Triple Vortex cleaner.

However in acknowledging disappointment, Vice Chairman Alberto Bertali
explained that, from a commercial point of view, the issue had now had become academic, because of continuous product development. He also reiterated that previous judgements had not impacted on any aspect of the Hoover vacuum cleaner business.

Hoover bagless cleaners now utilise quite different and improved technologies which achieve significantly better performance than the Triple Vortex system. Since the judgement at first instance last October, Hoover has successfully introduced Whirlwind, Vortex Power and Hurricane bagless cyclonic cleaners and will continue to bring new products to the market place.

I am fully aware about the upper part being about the naming of the machine, but why would that matter of such to Dyson. I hope you all found this information interesting, and it just shows that Hoover may not be as guilty as Dyson would like us to believe.

Thanks for reading.

Jacob

So the one in question is the 'Vortex Power' machine which came with the later style filtration which wasn't as good as the Triple Vortex? So, the Vortex Power didn't infringe the patents then?

The Hoover Vortex was way better than the Dyson's at the time in performance - DC01/DC03 - and was overall a better cleaner in my opinion, but it became overshadowed by the the popular DC04 which came out not long after the Triple Vortex.

The Vortex had a good brushroll - Activator - as well as good suction, the Dyson hadn't got as good as a brushroll and the suck wasn't as strong, and I would probably go to say that the Hoover Triple Vortex is one of the best bagless vacuums, alongside the bagless Panasonic Icon which also had a good Belt Drive brushroll, and those two vacuums outperformed the Dyson's at the time, but they were ignored due to the sudden urge for this new Dyson.

So the Triple Vortex was the first - V2000 & V2001 - and the ones that caused all the court action against Dyson.

Then it was the Vortex Power - V1500? - which Dyson lost the court case with Hoover over the naming rights?

Then it became all the pleated filter models - Cylclone/Hurricane, and where they the ones that sold in different colour such as blue and yellow?

I have a Vortex, not the usual V2000 but the V2001 with S Class filtration. I got it a few months ago, and used it irregularly for a couple of weeks prior to cleaning it up. I don't plan to use this machine apart from special occasions as as far as I can tell, the red model is slightly rarer than the rest, and the motor has not let too much dirt into it as it isn't as loud as others i've seen. Its in good condition as well, and I plan to look for another one to use that's maybe in slightly worse condition, so I don't have to use the red one.

The picture of mine is when I went to help my 92 year old nan move living room furnishings around as she was having a new carpet installed, and the Vortex came in handy that day for dusting and vacuuming. I think I got a two bin fulls of dirt just from that day! She doesn't vacuum much anyway as she can't manage the stairs with a vacuum well. The picture is prior to the clean up, but as you can see, it looks in quite good condition. I'll get a few proper photo's soon.

Thanks

Jacob

I agree with sebo_fan, I think it's vitally important to keep an open mind regarding cleaners and the only way I've formed my opinions about certain cleaners is by using them in a home setting - either as my own, collected cleaners or those of my fellow vacuum collectors who I'm good friends with.

I always found the Hoover Vortex insanely better than the early Dyson's of the time in performance. The Vortex was definitely more powerful, picked up better and was more user friendly than the Dyson's of the time.

It was a shame Hoover had to cease production of the Vortex, because it was a very good cleaner.

I, personally don't think James Dyson sued Hoover because they copied him, I think Dyson sued Hoover because they produced a much better machine than he did and that was inevitable, Hoover knew what they were doing when it came to making high performing vacuum cleaners.

If only Hoover had not turned James Dyson down in the early 90s, as Hoover might still be producing cleaners here in the UK with Dyson technology but Hoover's performance and build quality, those could be some pretty impressive machines. If Dyson had sold his technology to Hoover, it may of saved them from their financial problems back in the 90s, regarding the free flights fiasco.

That said, Dyson has certainly got the ball rolling compared to their earlier cleaners (pun intended) they are better than ever now, certainly when it comes to their uprights.

Anyway, the milk has been spilled so there is no point in crying I suppose.

Alex.