Legal dispute takes flight over new soaring ride planned for 4 Cedar Fair parks

Patent dispute spins around Cedar Fair’s new ride

SANDUSKY, Ohio — Amusement park operator Cedar Fair says a legal dispute won’t ground a new high-flying ride planned for several of its parks.

A Dutch company will make the WindSeeker, which will spin riders 300 feet above the ground at speeds reaching 30 mph. Cedar Fair, based in Sandusky in northern Ohio, plans to introduce the WindSeeker next year at Ohio parks Cedar Point and Kings Island, as well as Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto and Knott’s Berry Farm outside Los Angeles.

A ride-maker in Australia complains the idea for the ride was copied from a concept it showed off to Cedar Fair officials.

Cedar Fair director of investor relations Stacy Frole says executives have been told by the Dutch firm’s U.S. patent attorney that the other company’s claim has no merit.

Information from: Sandusky Register, www.sanduskyregister.com