Has NAXJA ever been attacked by Chrysler?

[XJensen]

Intellectual property has become a huge issue in recent years. Hundreds of companies go to court over this every year. If the site was selling merchandise with the logo (which is protected) than Ford has a right to stop it. Counterfeit merchandise can be detrimental to the company if it's not up to company standards. The risk is that this merchandise will confuse customers and give a bad name to the company.
I think it's stupid but it happens every day. I don't think it has anything to do with the site name.

That sounds more like it. I didn't read about the logo issue and the stickers, that is a no no. :nono:

Well with this issue at rest maybe they will considerate on building a better product and increasing profit so they don't need to borrow any more money.

Josh

 

[8Mud]

Like FSM's, companies sell the brand name and/or content to contractors. I have no idea how much they actually make, but I have my doubts it offsets the used feeling Joe customer gets when he wants to proudly display his favorite companies logo and pays $20 for a $3 T-shirt or a hundred dollars for what amounts to an instruction manual, that should be part of any reasonable transaction.
I may be deluded, but the free advertising, product promotion and good will generated would likely offset most, if not all, of the money made for selling the rights.
Got to say one thing about Jeep, I have a rather large collection of everything from cigarette lighters, through key fobs, to tow straps with the Jeep logo. My local Jeep dealer passes stuff out at every opportunity, though I do get the impression most times, it is just to bribe me out of his office.

 

[IslanderOffRoad]

Hey 5k could keep Ford afloat for a few more hours.

 

[WB9YZU]

Back when 70's MOPAR (tm) vehicles were cheap, a number of rags hit the stands with names like "MOPAR Muscle" and "MOPAR Magazine". They were enthusiast rags showing how to do upgrades and giving the average Joe and inside look at the latest factory stuff.

There were also a number of Clubs that had MOPAR(tm) in their name.

Chrysler went after every one of them they could find, and seriously cheesed off a number of loyal customers along the way.

Considering how many 2008 cars and trucks will still be on the lots and storage areas way into 2009 and possibly 2010, what car manufacture in their right mind would go after their customer base?

I understand the intelectual property thing, but lets face it, building a loyal fan base by allowing some of this stuff to go by never hurt the Greatful Dead.

 

[marvilusone]

So in reading all this, can I get in trouble since I have the Interco Super Swamper bird tatooed on my left shoulder?

 

[8Mud]

So in reading all this, can I get in trouble since I have the Interco Super Swamper bird tatooed on my left shoulder?

Not unless they find out about it, oh wait and heck, you just posted it on the internut.

 

[w_howey]

A couple of years ago my local Jeep club(with the name Jeep in the name) was approached by D/C's lawyer/marketing agent. They wanted us to pay an enormous sum of money, plus royalties for every sticker, shirt or hat we sold with the Jeep on it. We had written permission from the old Chrylser lawyers and marketing department to use Jeep in our name and on our merchandise. We had to agree to restrict the distribution of the merchandise to payed club members to be able to continue to use the name for our purposes.

 

[XJfire75]

Biting the hands that feed them...

DOing everything they can to get a few extra bux for the union workers right now....idiots....

Places like mustangforum,fullsizebronco, and others will get hit you wait and see.

Hope Chrysler dont come after us now too.

Email sending now.

 

[XJfire75]

Here's what I said. Added a bit of my mind:

To whom it may concern:
I am writing concerning your recent legal attacks on various "fan" websites for
vehicles such as the Mustang and Ranger. I am insulted by this careless misuse of
our legal system and am reconsidering any further vehicle purchases from your
company until you cease and desist from any further legal action concerning this
subject. I have been a Ford owner for many years and I had hoped to stay that way.
These attacks are morally wrong since they are geared towards your customers, and do
not instill the least bit of confidence in your brand. For the sake of your
business, I ask you to please reconsider immediately. I feel all your are doing is making your valued custumers consider buying from Japanese auto makers. Y'all are just biting the hand that feeds you. We are fans of Ford's vehicles. Y'all should be indorsing the sites you are trying to get money from. It's sad...

Thank you for your support and I applogize for this email.

 

[ChiXJeff]

Folks, a bunch of you are missing the point.

Ford (or any other trademark owner) does *NOT* have the ability or obligation to decide whether or not to pursue a use of their trademark, period. If the trademark owner does not actively take measures to protect it, they will *LOSE* their trademark. The courts in this country have said for years that it's a court decision on infringement, and a court's alone. There's a monetary value attached to each and every trademark and servicemark Ford owns, and they can't afford to let anybody use it without restriction.

I don't know what the status is on Ford's use of the name Ranger. If Ford no longer maintains the trademark, it's fair game. But if Ford does own the term, anybody who uses the term, and exchanges money as a result (say, a paid membership to TRS?) Ford has a responsibility to their shareholders to go after the infringement.

Enthusiasts or not, you absolutely, positively may not use somebody else's trademark. You can reference it (comparative advertising,) but you can't use it in your own line of work.

The problem isn't Ford. They're between a rock and a hard place. If you think for a second that they don't get the value of the enthusiast market, I have some ocean front property in Idaho for sale. If they don't go after infringements, their balance sheets will go down in value, and the shareholders will vote in changes.

 

[XJfire75]

Gotcha but dont you think that Ford still owns "Ranger" since they are raising this case about it or is it just the law firm?

 

[Darky]

So in reading all this, can I get in trouble since I have the Interco Super Swamper bird tatooed on my left shoulder?

yes, now fetch the cheese grater

 

[Darky]

Here's what I said. Added a bit of my mind:

To whom it may concern:
I am writing concerning your recent legal attacks on various "fan" websites for
vehicles such as the Mustang and Ranger. I am insulted by this careless misuse of
our legal system and am reconsidering any further vehicle purchases from your
company until you cease and desist from any further legal action concerning this
subject. I have been a Ford owner for many years and I had hoped to stay that way.
These attacks are morally wrong since they are geared towards your customers, and do
not instill the least bit of confidence in your brand. For the sake of your
business, I ask you to please reconsider immediately. I feel all your are doing is making your valued custumers consider buying from Japanese auto makers. Y'all are just biting the hand that feeds you. We are fans of Ford's vehicles. Y'all should be indorsing the sites you are trying to get money from. It's sad...

Thank you for your support and I applogize for this email.

do you own any Fords? Hopefully you used spell-checker before sending...

Also like Jeff has said about 15 times now, Ford has a legal obligation to pursue these things. The money was likely just to cover the attorney fees. Seriously, what good would $5000 do Ford? That would the CEO's salary for all of an hour and 15 minutes.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

do you own any Fords? Hopefully you used spell-checker before sending...

Also like Jeff has said about 15 times now, Ford has a legal obligation to pursue these things. The money was likely just to cover the attorney fees. Seriously, what good would $5000 do Ford? That would the CEO's salary for all of an hour and 15 minutes

People are idiots. This is FACT!

Just look at the Obama supporters lol

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

Enthusiasts or not, you absolutely, positively may not use somebody else's trademark. You can reference it (comparative advertising,) but you can't use it in your own line of work.

PERIOD!!!

 

[8Mud]

In pursuing the obligation to protect there trademark, I wonder what the courts definition of true diligence is.
Sorry, I'm not buying it being Fords obligation to harass, in any meaningful way, the very people who buy there products.
Seems like the patent protection division, sub department for protecting trademarks, could easily be manned by a small group of incompetent misfits, who'd rather be playing video games than doing any real work.

 

[WB9YZU]

No, not period.

It is the option of the trademark holder whether to pursue a percieved violation. Many manufactures and artists thrive on letting fans have their way. Examples would be: VW, The Greatful Dead & J.K Rollings.

Where these entities get serious is if someone tries to rip off their work and call it their own, or base future work off it.

TRS is pretty obviously a for profit. No one creates a LLC for a hobby site.

I believe Chrysler would need to work pretty hard to prove a Club violated their trademark by using the word "Jeep" in the name. The reason being is that although Chrysler owns the artwork, the word went public domain 50 years ago, and essentually means any small, ugly, SWB 4WD vehicle.

 

[Deadman 94 xj]

No, not period.

It is the option of the trademark holder whether to pursue a percieved violation. Many manufactures and artists thrive on letting fans have their way. Examples would be: VW, The Greatful Dead & J.K Rollings.

Where these entities get serious is if someone tries to rip off their work and call it their own, or base future work off it.

TRS is pretty obviously a for profit. No one creates a LLC for a hobby site.

I believe Chrysler would need to work pretty hard to prove a Club violated their trademark by using the word "Jeep" in the name. The reason being is that although Chrysler owns the artwork, the word went public domain 50 years ago, and essentually means any small, ugly, SWB 4WD vehicle.

Uhh, yes period. You can not for profit sell a product using somebody elses protected trademark.

Period

 

[GrimmJeeper]

TRS is pretty obviously a for profit. No one creates a LLC for a hobby site.

you've obviously never run your own buisness. basically, you create your LLC to take the heat in case something like this happens. the LLC gets sued and taken for all ITS assets, and you, as an employee of your buisness are not held liable. if you are making products and selling them you should seriously be running all your operations through a LLC.

being out for profit or not, its pretty much a CYOA backup plan. selling stickers and such to help keep the forum going and what not is how the world works. what do you think pays for this website? we arent writing checks to some personal bank account here, naxja is an organization.

 

[8Mud]

Uhh, yes period. You can not for profit sell a product using somebody elses protected trademark.

Period