In the early days of paintball, people shared technology with each other. Nelson, the creator of the first paintball marker, did not patent their valve design so that others could use it. Their philosophy was that as long as the sport of paintball prospered and progressed, all would profit.
Then came along Smart Parts. Originally, they only manufactured after-market barrels. But they continued to expand their market, and eventually, they bought the patent rights to the idea, the mere idea, of using an electronic switch in a paintball gun.
http://www.haveblue.org/tech/patents/US006694963.pdf
Unfortunately, they had been beaten by the navy, which had patented the very same concept in the 1950's.
http://www.haveblue.org/tech/patents/US002845055.pdf
In fact, Smart Parts did not even invent the concept, they merely bought the patent. They then used it to bully other businesses to stop making electronic markers, a death sentence since they are the most popular markers.
http://automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=191146&highlight=cease+desist
Tom Kaye stopped producing new guns. Bud Orr sold his company. AKA stopped producing their electronic guns, rather than fight a lengthy court battle. No longer were companies helping each other out.
These markers are capable of shooting 30 balls a second.
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