Note: you're making a mistake if you read this story and think "well, at least the system basically works, and the right decision was finally made". The maker of ZenMagnets was tirelessly and <i>bizarrely</i> passionate about overturning this ruling. For every entrepreneur that struggles through a hurdle like this, a dozen more wisely choose to silently forgo developing a similar a product.
I'm glad these are available for adults but the danger to children and pets is very real.<p>A kid eats a magnet waits a while then eats another one. The magnets are strong enough to find each other through the intestinal walls. The result is pretty horrifying, so be careful with strong magnetic toys.
Interesting blog post on the psychology surrounding the ban/regulation of buckyballs, NYC soda size limits:<p>The Nanny State Didn't Show Up, You Hired It <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20150315003211/http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2012/09/the_nanny_state_didnt_show_up.html" rel="nofollow">http://web.archive.org/web/20150315003211/http://thelastpsyc...</a>
Seems to be having issues. Google cache: <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:p6SCH51MG-EJ:zenmagnets.com/magnet-ban-cleared-game-on/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk" rel="nofollow">http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:p6SCH51...</a>
This was an amazingly stupid action on the CPSC's part to begin with. Are magnets often considered a "toy"? Yes. Can magnets actually cause harm? Yes. But this is true of almost anything in our world.<p>There are a lot more dangerous things that are a lot less regulated than a wholesale ban. The CPSC needs, apparently, a much strong leash put on it. We need a government, not a nanny state.
The idea that the agency banning the magnet balls is ignoring much more dangerous issues such as pools or balloons is interesting - I can think of many examples of disproportionate government enforcement. For example, huge sentencing for computer crimes that under the right circumstances can be more punitive than what a child molester or violent assaulter could expect, or the entirety of the insane war on drugs. I'd be curious to see what kind of "balancing" could be done on the legal system.
I thought that Buckyballs were a cool novelty when I received them as a gift a few years ago (and it seems like Zen Magnets makes pretty much the same thing). Once I opened and played with them once, they just weren't that interesting anymore, where I thought they'd feel more like Legos. Kudos to them for winning, but I probably won't buy another new set.
Posts about him fighting on tirelessly. I look to them like the NewEgg of Patent trolls. He stood up and fought back a group that seldom has cases turn on them.<p>Good for him!
I honestly had no idea this was even an issue. I purchased some outrageously strong magnets from Lee Valley for some wood working projects.<p>You don't want to get them stuck between your fingers, but besides keeping them away from visa cards and rotating hard drives, I didn't think much more about the potential dangers. Thank goodness the negligence of my government didn't cause me all manner of danger (kidding).
Wow, they claimed that they reduced their prices by 10%. What I'm seeing on the website is a 100% price increase. Talk about price gouging, and what a way to be reintroduced to the general market!<p>2015 Zen Booster Set: 216 Zen Magnets. 6 Spares, .5mm PVC Card and Velvet Sack.<p>Was: $32.98<p>Now: $65.96