Monster Cable Products
Encyclopedia
Monster Cable Products Inc. owns the Monster Cable brand of consumer audio and video cable
, which is primarily used to connect audio and video components. The company produces consumer electronics
accessories including audio and video cables, headphones, speakers, remotes and power conditioner
equipment accessories under names including Monster Power, Monster Mobile, Monster Performance Car, Monster Game, Monster Photo and M•Design.
The company is based today in Brisbane, CA, and has additional offices in Ennis
(Ireland), London
, and Hong Kong
with about 650 employees, most of them in the US headquarters. The company is privately held, hence it does not publish its sales figures; however, industry sources estimate its annual revenue to be around US$500 million. Monster Cable Products, Inc. is currently incorporated in California.
.
Nevertheless, various reviews have reported that listeners and viewers are unable to tell a difference between substantially higher-priced Monster cables and inexpensive cables. In addition, some opinions differ, especially for cables which carry digital signals such as HDMI
cables. In one experiment, audiophile listeners could not distinguish between short Monster cables and ordinary coat hangers. Another reviewer concluded that "16-gauge lamp cord and Monster [speaker] cable are indistinguishable from each other with music."
In 2009 after receiving numerous comments from consumers in relation to the Monster Mini Golf dispute Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee stated on Fox Business News that Monster Cable has to balance what it does in trademark protection with what the public thinks it should do.
Monster Cable's more controversial disputes include:
On April 1, 2008, Monster Cable sent a cease and desist letter to Blue Jeans Cable, claiming infringement on certain patents owned by Monster Cable. The owner of Blue Jeans Cable, Kurt Denke, previously a litigation lawyer, responded with a letter detailing flaws and shortcomings in the allegations of patent infringement, adding "Not only am I unintimidated by litigation; I sometimes rather miss it."
to settle a complaint of false advertising regarding Monster Powercells alkaline batteries. Energizer asserted that Monster Cable's claims of "25% More Power Than Standard Alkalines" were false, based on independent testing. Monster Cable removed these claims from its website and product packaging.
On March 23, 2009, a photo surfaced online showing two TV sets connected with different cables and claimed that Monster Cable was deceiving consumers by comparing an HDMI
cable with a Composite Video
cable. Monster Cable responded on several blogs that comparisons are often made between basic cables which come with TVs and HDMI cables but that these comparisons should be well explained at retail stores. The photo did not show the front of the TV display and what, if any, signage was being shown to make the comparison.
On April 17, 2009, the technology blog Engadget
accused Monster Cable of inappropriately using a comment out of context to imply that Engadget endorsed the product "Beats by Dre" headphones. Engadget currently has Monster Cable on its blacklist and has publicly stated that it will no longer cover Monster Cable products. The quote has since been removed from the Monster Cable website.
stadium at Candlestick Park, and it was named Monster Park
. The naming rights deal expired in 2008 and the name has reverted to Candlestick Park.
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
, which is primarily used to connect audio and video components. The company produces consumer electronics
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
accessories including audio and video cables, headphones, speakers, remotes and power conditioner
Power conditioner
A power conditioner is a device intended to improve the quality of the power that is delivered to electrical load equipment...
equipment accessories under names including Monster Power, Monster Mobile, Monster Performance Car, Monster Game, Monster Photo and M•Design.
History
Monster Cable Products (Monster) was founded in San Francisco in 1978 by engineer Noel Lee.The company is based today in Brisbane, CA, and has additional offices in Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
(Ireland), London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
with about 650 employees, most of them in the US headquarters. The company is privately held, hence it does not publish its sales figures; however, industry sources estimate its annual revenue to be around US$500 million. Monster Cable Products, Inc. is currently incorporated in California.
Monster Headphones
In 2009, Monster Cable entered the headphone business by creating a new headphone line, called Beats by Dr. Dre, in partnership with Dr. DreDr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
.
Quality and pricing
Monster Cable and similar "boutique" cables are a substantial source of revenue for retailers of electronics such as DVD players and TVs. While the profit margins of DVD players and TVs may be low, the profit margins of Monster Cables and similar products provide supplemental revenue for these retailers. Employees of such retailers are trained to market and bundle Monster Cable and similar products so as to increase profitability.Nevertheless, various reviews have reported that listeners and viewers are unable to tell a difference between substantially higher-priced Monster cables and inexpensive cables. In addition, some opinions differ, especially for cables which carry digital signals such as HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
cables. In one experiment, audiophile listeners could not distinguish between short Monster cables and ordinary coat hangers. Another reviewer concluded that "16-gauge lamp cord and Monster [speaker] cable are indistinguishable from each other with music."
Trademark and patent
Monster Cable has aggressively protected its name and trademark by opposing applications for registrations for marks that include the term "MONSTER" at the United States Trademark Office. In addition, lawsuits have been filed in a number of cases. Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee defended these actions by saying "We have an obligation to protect our trademark; otherwise we'd lose it." Monster Cable owns many trademarks and patents listed with the US Office of Patents and Trademarks.In 2009 after receiving numerous comments from consumers in relation to the Monster Mini Golf dispute Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee stated on Fox Business News that Monster Cable has to balance what it does in trademark protection with what the public thinks it should do.
Monster Cable's more controversial disputes include:
- Snow Monsters (a kid's skiing group)
- MonsterVintage, small used clothing store
- Monsters, Inc.Monsters, Inc.Monsters, Inc. is a 2001 American computer-animated film and the fourth feature-length film produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It was directed by Pete Docter, co-directed by Lee Unkrich and David Silverman, and written by Jill Culton, Peter Docter, Ralph Eggleston, Dan Gerson, Jeff Pidgeon, Rhett...
, an animated feature film - Monster GarageMonster GarageMonster Garage is a television show for the Discovery Channel hosted by Jesse G. James. Each episode is an hour in length and was conceived and produced by Thom Beers.The show aired the series finale on June 12, 2006. Jesse G...
, a television series - Monsters of the MidwayMonsters of the MidwayThe "Monsters of the Midway" is most widely known as the nickname for the National Football League's Chicago Bears—particularly the dominant teams of 1940 and 1941...
, a nickname of the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team - Fenway ParkFenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
's MonsterGreen MonsterThe Green Monster is a popular nickname for the thirty-seven foot , two-inch high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team...
seats - Monster EnergyMonster Energy-Distribution :Though it is not widely advertised in the media, Monster receives a large amount of recognition from its sponsorship of various sporting events, including motocross and car racing. Hansen Natural Corporation announced a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch in the U.S. and Grupo...
, energy drinks - Monster.comMonster.comMonster.com is one of the largest employment websites in the world, owned and operated by Monster Worldwide, Inc. Monster is one of the 20 most visited websites out of 100 million worldwide, according to comScore Media Metrics...
employment website - Monster Mini Golf
- Monster Balls Paintballs manufactured by JT Sports
- Monster Transmission
On April 1, 2008, Monster Cable sent a cease and desist letter to Blue Jeans Cable, claiming infringement on certain patents owned by Monster Cable. The owner of Blue Jeans Cable, Kurt Denke, previously a litigation lawyer, responded with a letter detailing flaws and shortcomings in the allegations of patent infringement, adding "Not only am I unintimidated by litigation; I sometimes rather miss it."
Monster Mini Golf
In 2006 Monster Cable brought suit against Monster Mini Golf, a company selling franchise Mini Golf locations throughout the US. After legal battles and a lengthy dispute, the owners of Monster Mini Golf launched a grassroots campaign against Monster Cable on the Internet. After receiving more than 200 complaints from the public, Monster Cable dropped the lawsuit and agreed to pay up to $200,000 of Monster Mini Golf's legal fees. After the settlement Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee and Monster Mini Golf founder Christina Vitagliano filmed a video interview discussing the dispute and resolution.False advertising
On January 29, 2003, Monster Cable agreed to a consent order with Energizer HoldingsEnergizer Holdings
Energizer Holdings is an American manufacturer of batteries and personal care products, headquartered in Town and Country, Missouri. Its most well known brands are Energizer and Eveready batteries, Schick, Wilkinson Sword and Edge shaving products, Playtex feminine hygiene and baby products, and...
to settle a complaint of false advertising regarding Monster Powercells alkaline batteries. Energizer asserted that Monster Cable's claims of "25% More Power Than Standard Alkalines" were false, based on independent testing. Monster Cable removed these claims from its website and product packaging.
On March 23, 2009, a photo surfaced online showing two TV sets connected with different cables and claimed that Monster Cable was deceiving consumers by comparing an HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
cable with a Composite Video
Composite video
Composite video is the format of an analog television signal before it is combined with a sound signal and modulated onto an RF carrier. In contrast to component video it contains all required video information, including colors in a single line-level signal...
cable. Monster Cable responded on several blogs that comparisons are often made between basic cables which come with TVs and HDMI cables but that these comparisons should be well explained at retail stores. The photo did not show the front of the TV display and what, if any, signage was being shown to make the comparison.
On April 17, 2009, the technology blog Engadget
Engadget
Engadget is a multilingual technology blog network with daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics. Though on appearance Engadget functions much like a blog and may be defined as such, much of its editorial content takes the form of an online magazine...
accused Monster Cable of inappropriately using a comment out of context to imply that Engadget endorsed the product "Beats by Dre" headphones. Engadget currently has Monster Cable on its blacklist and has publicly stated that it will no longer cover Monster Cable products. The quote has since been removed from the Monster Cable website.
Candlestick Park Sponsorship
On September 28, 2004 the company purchased the naming rights to the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
stadium at Candlestick Park, and it was named Monster Park
Monster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
. The naming rights deal expired in 2008 and the name has reverted to Candlestick Park.
External links
- Monster corporate website
- Company information
- Monster's side of the Monster Mini-Golf story
- Response to a Monster Cable cease & desist letter by Kurt Denke of Blue Jeans Cable
- Monster Companies Settle Name Differences