Is this true and what does it really mean? "We are glad that "Shelby Automobiles, Inc" is putting the hammer down on trademark infringement. So the Clones and FAKES cannot legally use the words "Shelby" Cobra GT 350, GT 500, GT 500KR etc." I saw this on a listing on Ebay.
Who is glad? Who is the "We" mentioned above? Also, I can foresee what direction this thread may lead so I will encourage everyone to keep this discussion civil. I know Shelby has been monitoring items on eBay for a while. RS
It offends me. I don't believe this forum, which is dedicated to Shelby, should get caught up in unfounded accusations against Carroll Shelby. Robin
I believe it is attached to one of Steve Beckers ads on ebay for a 69 Shelby vert. It pertains to a listing pulled by ebay in which a shop was selling a clone with the Shelby name in the title description. It was initiated by CSE attorneys.This has been a hot topic on other forums and I agree any discussion should be civil. Lot of slamming by misinformed people out there.
That is certainly what I have seen elsewhere. A lot of talk from misinformed people throwing accusations and false motives around. Anyway, those people are speculating and making judgements based upon preconceived notions or something other than knowledge of the facts. On the flip side, I have seen others point out the reality of the situation and acknowledge the need to protect those trademarks. Randall
My self, I understand the point of wanting to keep the trademarks protected especially with the Shelby name. I am not too sure about the GT500, GT350, etc. Unless, they are trying to pass it off as a "real" car. Look at how many products out there are cloned, Ferrari, Lambo, Picasso, etc. As long as it is listed as such, seems fine to me. I don't believe that people are necessarily making that much more money because of the name. This is just how I feel. Also, these are cars. Only cars. It isn't some life threatning issue, like abortion, gay marriage, or pulling out troops from Iraq, or even Tookie. IMO.
In my opinion and limited knowledge of the subject, it has nothing to do with money in a direct sense but is more about setting a legal precedent. I by no means can speak for Shelby Licensing or the actions they are taking but can say that IMO the trademarks must be protected or they could be lost. This may not be the case here but I know this to be the case in other legal matters as far as setting a precedent. If they do not work to protect them, they could be challenged. I think many other issues are at stake here as well but I should probably not speculate. RS
I personally am sick and tired of seeing No real Shelby's on eBay! out of 54 cars listed maybe 5 are actual Shelby Cars. it is almost as if they have to start a whole section just for Clones! as CSE protects it's trademark, it also protects the value of our vehicles as they will not be Diluted by all these fakes, Intentional or imagined.
I'm getting real tired of every clown who 1. paints ANY Mustang silver, now it's an Eleanor, 2. puts any kind of stripe over the top (in itself a sore spot for me) of a Mustang and now it's a Shelby, 3.Trys selling a 67/68 6000 RPM tach with the Shelby name in the listing. And I can go on and on. How do you think ol' Shelby thinks about this kind of crap?? I might not like all this so called "continuation car" business, but folks are just plain wearing the name out with way too much crap they're trying to sell that isn't even close to being a Shelby anything.
Agree with most posts above but I also know that the only ones making money on all these lawsuits are the lawyers. There is a reason why the US has more lawyers than the rest of the world together. It also has a consequence. /Texas Swede
I get kind of tired of people listing every Mustang part as Shelby, and anything 289 as "HiPo". Backup light switches for a 65 Sheby? Power Brake parts for a 65 Shelby? There is a guy who has a supply of 65 Fairlane Station Wagon rear brake shoes. He is advertising "Correct rear brake shoes for a 65 Shelby" I asked him if they were full metallic, like the "Correct" ones were. Still waiting for an answer. I don't blame Ebay, they are just serving as a broker and skimming a little off the top. Buyer beware never applied more than it does now. As far as Lawyers go, everyone takes shots at them, until they get screwed, hurt in an accident or get into trouble.
It is a hassle looking through the ads to find a REAL part, but not much different than going to Carlisle and asking yourself "Where are all the Good Parts"?? they are gone, used up and on the Internet. meanwhile Profiteers utilizing the Shelby name to sell a 66 Mustang Battery Tray are annoying but a sign of the times. I have a 68 Fastback Project car on there now and I am walking the line by adding "Shelby or Eleanor Clone". But when I see a 68 Coupe with the same description..... there are greater things to be annoyed with certainly!!
I agree with DaltonDavid - what really burns me is when you are driving your "real" Shelby and folks come up and ask if it is real!!! The only reason they are asking is that they, too, see fakes and clones everyday and they don't know. With Shelby suing the folks who build these cars and use his trademark designs, etc. perhaps it will slowdown those folks and allow people who have real cars to quit being asked if there car is real!! I am all for E bay running a section of "real" car auctions only. Prove that your car is real and get your car is a special part of e bay that can be accessed without going thru all the clone cars.
Question. Why do pretty much exclusively Shelby's have this problem? People continue to try and foist non-Shelbys as such, but whenever you see a non matching number Hemi 'cuda or SS454 Chevelle, they are labeled as such, and those cars are big money just like Shelby Mustangs. So why not overpopulation of clones there? Just occured to me now, and I wondered what you guys thought the reason was. jim
