Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home

In a message dated 5/11/2006 11:51:18 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
ottomatik (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net writes:

> Here's a link that is easier to click to the same article,
> http://tinyurl.com/hsnmx
>
> I'm not joking when I say that this kind of crap is enough to make me give
> very serious consideration to never buying Fords again, and to cancel
> membership in any Ford related clubs. Driving small businesses out of
> business in cases like this where there is clearly a link between the
> products, and equally clearly it is NOT affiliated with Ford, is the last
> thing this country needs.
>

Of course, this "must" mean that Ford is going to resume providing the parts
and technical support for our cars that they so conviently DROPPED--and left
for folks like those at Mustangs Plus to take over--a few years ago, eh?

Dave

 

In a message dated 5/11/2006 12:17:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
ottomatik (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net writes:

> Monkeys spotted flying out of my butt. News at 11
>

DAMN...yours, too?

 

This brings up something I ran into today. In the shop where I work we are building a 65 Shelby clone for a customer. It will be an exact replica with a few minor power and handling modifications. The customer had been told Shelby was cracking down on all the replica parts on the market. We called Branda to get the unique parts on the way and true enough some items were no longer available. The alternator pulley, steering wheel, CS tach and oil gauges, and a few other things were out of stock with no back orders. Some of the items they said were the last ones they had. I had heard Shelby was putting pressure on vendors to quit selling repo stuff. This was discussed on this site several months ago and the consensus was he could not stop the sale of repo parts that were not trademarked. Before you go saying it is not Shelby but his marketing arm, can the arm move without the knowledge of the man? We managed to find everything except the gauge and tach by calling around, but every body says the parts are getting hard to come by. What gives? This article on Ford getting after the vendors smacks of the same school of thought. Why do they care who makes the parts as long as they pay the liscensing agreement? We have learned to live with that. Why cripple or kill our hobby by making parts and info hard to get or a lot more expensive? I have been driving Mustangs since December of 1964 and they are part of my life. Do they seriously think I will go buy a new one because I cannot keep my old ones on the road? WRONG I used to want an 06, even salivated over the new GT 500 and tried to get one. Shelby was my hero before Chrysler discovered him. We raced Shelbys when they were cheap thrills, showed them to educate the public on what a great thing this man did for America and Ford in international competition. Now I am disgusted with all the Shelby cars out there that are just stripes and signatures. Ford dealers are getting really greedy over the new GT 500 and don't want us to enjoy the old ones to the point where my wife's new car will most likely not be a Ford. This is hard to say coming from a true blue oval fan. My son is building a 66 coupe to drive to high school. He wants to autocross and rump da thump at the fart pipe imports. I fear for what lies ahead for him if he decides to embrace old Mustangs. OUR FREEDOM TO DRIVE WHAT WE WANT AND BUILD WHAT WE WANT IS BEING TAKE AWAY.....WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND WHY? SEE Y'ALL, Lee
>
>

 

In the general market there is one true fact:
customer perception IS reality
So frankly if it is the Shelby marketing group then it is Shelby. If his
people make an action that reflects poorly upon him then that is his problem and
he should deal with it.

Frankly Shelby and group is guilty of at least not properly getting the
information to the public.

and how can Shelby have any say over the steering wheel? that is not his
wheel, not his design. they bought them from Italy. the only thing that he could
have say over is the emblem added to the middle and I think that could be
questionable as he sold many rights to ford in 1970

bob

 

I'm wondering, are similar things happening in the GM and Mopar camps?

Dave

 

Bob:
I must have missed an e-mail because I don't have the faintest notion about what you are referring to. The "Ford persecutes Mustang vendors", I understand, but share with us what is going on with Shelby and the steering wheels.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: RSANTER (AT) aol (DOT) com
To: lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ; DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; norcal-saac (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com ; shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home


In the general market there is one true fact:
customer perception IS reality
So frankly if it is the Shelby marketing group then it is Shelby. If his people make an action that reflects poorly upon him then that is his problem and he should deal with it.

Frankly Shelby and group is guilty of at least not properly getting the information to the public.

and how can Shelby have any say over the steering wheel? that is not his wheel, not his design. they bought them from Italy. the only thing that he could have say over is the emblem added to the middle and I think that could be questionable as he sold many rights to ford in 1970

bob

 

Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close tohome

Here is a heated discussion about it on the Boss 302 Forum:

http://www.boss302.com/board/viewthread.php3?FID=2&TID=24067



At 07:12 AM 5/12/2006, Ronald. Robertson wrote:
>Bob:
>I must have missed an e-mail because I don't have the faintest
>notion about what you are referring to. The "Ford persecutes Mustang
>vendors", I understand, but share with us what is going on with
>Shelby and the steering wheels.
>Ron
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <mailto:RSANTER (AT) aol (DOT) com>RSANTER (AT) aol (DOT) com
>To: <mailto:lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net>lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ;
><mailtoLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com>DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ;
><mailto:norcal-saac (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com>norcal-saac (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com ;
><mailto:shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com>shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
>Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:50 PM
>Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home
>
>In the general market there is one true fact:
>customer perception IS reality
>So frankly if it is the Shelby marketing group then it is Shelby. If
>his people make an action that reflects poorly upon him then that is
>his problem and he should deal with it.
>
>Frankly Shelby and group is guilty of at least not properly getting
>the information to the public.
>
>and how can Shelby have any say over the steering wheel? that is not
>his wheel, not his design. they bought them from Italy. the only
>thing that he could have say over is the emblem added to the middle
>and I think that could be questionable as he sold many rights to ford in 1970
>
>bob
>
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.6/336 - Release Date: 5/10/2006

Mike Greene

1966 Shelby GT350H
1969 428SCJ Mach 1
1970 Boss 302
1970 351C 4 Speed Mach 1
1993 SVT Cobra
1964 1/2 Mustang Coupe
Unique Motorcars 289FIA Cobra replica

 

Who knows? The surprising thing to me is that this has apparently been going on since 2000 and Mustangs Plus is the first incident we have been made aware of? I feel real badly for Ron Bramlett and partners, but where there is a will, there is a way. I think, if I were a vendor who used the word Mustang in my business name, I would strongly consider deleting the word Mustang and let Ford do its own advertising.
As for the question, "how does one advertise what they sell if they can't use the name 'Mustang' ", it appears CJ Pony Parts, NPD, Branda etc. have done pretty well. It will be really interesting to see what happens if the "possibility" talked about comes to pass, where Ford issues a cease and desist order to clubs and publications. Wonder what the Mustang Club of America, Mustang Monthly, Mustang and Fords. local Mustang clubs etc. etc. will do? I wonder if there is any room for a class action suit against Ford? The publicity alone should give Ford cause to reflect or at least very clearly, in a public domain, state their intentions. It also points out the sad fact, that you need to get everything in writing and forget making assumptions. I am reminded of the old adage that if you take the word "assume" and take out 'u' and 'me', you are left with the word 'ass', a rather unflattering term at its best.
Anyhow, I am real proud of the fact that I own a "car for the masses that was manufactured by one of the 'Big Three', (not GM or Chrysler), that blew the doors off sales of the Corvette, and despite Ford not support the classic said car, it and we have survived."
Try that in your Company name. (lol)
Just some thoughts.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: DMGT350 (AT) aol (DOT) com
To: lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ; DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home


I'm wondering, are similar things happening in the GM and Mopar camps?

Dave

 

Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home

Thanks Mike.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Greene
To: Ronald. Robertson ; RSANTER (AT) aol (DOT) com ; lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ; DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; norcal-saac (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com ; shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 8:15 AM
Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home


Here is a heated discussion about it on the Boss 302 Forum:

http://www.boss302.com/board/viewthread.php3?FID=2&TID=24067



At 07:12 AM 5/12/2006, Ronald. Robertson wrote:

Bob:
I must have missed an e-mail because I don't have the faintest notion about what you are referring to. The "Ford persecutes Mustang vendors", I understand, but share with us what is going on with Shelby and the steering wheels.
Ron

----- Original Message -----

From: RSANTER (AT) aol (DOT) com

To: lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ; DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; norcal-saac (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com ; shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com

Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 9:50 PM

Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home


In the general market there is one true fact:

customer perception IS reality

So frankly if it is the Shelby marketing group then it is Shelby. If his people make an action that reflects poorly upon him then that is his problem and he should deal with it.



Frankly Shelby and group is guilty of at least not properly getting the information to the public.



and how can Shelby have any say over the steering wheel? that is not his wheel, not his design. they bought them from Italy. the only thing that he could have say over is the emblem added to the middle and I think that could be questionable as he sold many rights to ford in 1970



bob


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.6/336 - Release Date: 5/10/2006
Mike Greene

1966 Shelby GT350H
1969 428SCJ Mach 1
1970 Boss 302
1970 351C 4 Speed Mach 1
1993 SVT Cobra
1964 1/2 Mustang Coupe
Unique Motorcars 289FIA Cobra replica

 

All-
FWIW, I do know that a few years ago, Brant Halderman at what was then Virginia Mustang had to change his name to Virginia Classic Mustang and dodged a "bullet" from Ford. Who knows? Maybe there's a new bunch of trademark lawyers at Ford.
When this same subject came up some months ago, I mentioned that BMW went on a rampage a few years back and went after independent suppliers and service facilities for the unauthorized use of their name and/or logo. This is simply "standard procedure" in almost any large consumer-oriented industry. If you don't jealously guard your patents and trademarks, they get infringed upon. If done and not addressed, they become public domain. Can't say I blame them. There's just a nice way to go about it and a mean way.
Regards, Stan
----- Original Message -----
From: Ronald. Robertson
To: DMGT350 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ; DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 8:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home


Who knows? The surprising thing to me is that this has apparently been going on since 2000 and Mustangs Plus is the first incident we have been made aware of? I feel real badly for Ron Bramlett and partners, but where there is a will, there is a way. I think, if I were a vendor who used the word Mustang in my business name, I would strongly consider deleting the word Mustang and let Ford do its own advertising.
As for the question, "how does one advertise what they sell if they can't use the name 'Mustang' ", it appears CJ Pony Parts, NPD, Branda etc. have done pretty well. It will be really interesting to see what happens if the "possibility" talked about comes to pass, where Ford issues a cease and desist order to clubs and publications. Wonder what the Mustang Club of America, Mustang Monthly, Mustang and Fords. local Mustang clubs etc. etc. will do? I wonder if there is any room for a class action suit against Ford? The publicity alone should give Ford cause to reflect or at least very clearly, in a public domain, state their intentions. It also points out the sad fact, that you need to get everything in writing and forget making assumptions. I am reminded of the old adage that if you take the word "assume" and take out 'u' and 'me', you are left with the word 'ass', a rather unflattering term at its best.
Anyhow, I am real proud of the fact that I own a "car for the masses that was manufactured by one of the 'Big Three', (not GM or Chrysler), that blew the doors off sales of the Corvette, and despite Ford not support the classic said car, it and we have survived."
Try that in your Company name. (lol)
Just some thoughts.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: DMGT350 (AT) aol (DOT) com
To: lmathias (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net ; DLen1261 (AT) aol (DOT) com ; shelbymustang (AT) carmemories (DOT) com
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Nor Cal SAAC] Ford's trademark zealots hitting close to home


I'm wondering, are similar things happening in the GM and Mopar camps?

Dave

 

I am mostly with Lee on this issue, but I used to work at a company where
their trademarks and licenses were a very important part of their
business. Because they didn't defend one of their trademarks at one point,
they lost liscensing fees that ended up losing them literally millions of
dollars. They were selling collectable products (game cards sort of like
Baseball trading cards) and a competitor got most of the market because
they had not defended the trademark in some small cases against very small
infringements.

Ferrari has copyrighted the shape of all of their cars so that others
can't make replica's like happened to the Cobras over the years. Does
Shelby/AC/Ford deserve a "fee" for every replica kit sold?

I guess I am saying, I don't really like what Ford is doing, but I do
understand why. I just think Ford needs to work with Mustang vendors and
come up with a legal and mutually (Ford, vendor, customer) beneficial
arrangement, as opposed to show up with legal documents that put them out
of business.

On Fri, 12 May 2006, STAN SIMM wrote:

> All-
> FWIW, I do know that a few years ago, Brant Halderman at what was then
>Virginia Mustang had to change his name to Virginia Classic Mustang and
>dodged a "bullet" from Ford. Who knows? Maybe there's a new bunch of
>trademark lawyers at Ford.
> When this same subject came up some months ago, I mentioned that BMW
>went on a rampage a few years back and went after independent suppliers
>and service facilities for the unauthorized use of their name and/or
>logo. This is simply "standard procedure" in almost any large
>consumer-oriented industry. If you don't jealously guard your patents
>and trademarks, they get infringed upon. If done and not addressed, they
>become public domain. Can't say I blame them. There's just a nice way
>to go about it and a mean way.
> Regards, Stan

Calvin
http://hamptonroadsrotaryclub.com/ <<--our local club
http://www.racecarstuff.com <<--my blog
http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcalvin767 <<--my ebay stuff