as far as I knew the patents have lapsed which is why everyone is now starting to get in on the act. watch the flood of hard pod machines hit the market, watch the prices of pods adjust downwards, watch the miriad of importers of small cheap thermoblock pod machines and resellers (of pod coffee) race to visit every single office in the country, already started, the promise of a free coffee machine if you buy their pods yarthe yarthe yarthe. It means there is an extra step in the progression between instant coffee offices and "real coffee" offices, as opened up by the impending pod invasion. In fact, it could be looked upon as taking market share directly off instant coffee market, and to not be a "threat" to real coffee bean market. The secondary benefit over time will be that some proportion of the new market opened up by pod machines will eventually go to more upmarket or "real" coffee machines, grinders and "real" coffee beans. Sing to the tune of...." and the beat goes on.......the beat goes on....drums keep poundin a rhythm to the brain...." Rgdz, A.
