View Full Version : This is sorta screwed up..
Steve1968LS2
06-07-2006, 08:01 AM
Ford stock is in the toilet.. the companies image is hurting so what do you do? Sick you lawyers on companies that use the words "Mustang" "pony" or "stang" in any way whatsoever..
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Discuss...
JamesJ
06-07-2006, 08:29 AM
They have the right to, but dont think that it makes any difference if you say specializing in Mustang parts or if you say Mustang parts.
complete BS. the person that made that decision should be canned. Lets go after the very people that help make ford a success??? idiots.
MarkM66
06-07-2006, 08:43 AM
My part of the discussion;
A-Holes. :) .
Damn True
06-07-2006, 08:50 AM
Good business decision and ultimately it will be good for the Mustang aftermarket.
Ask Harley and anyone in their aftermarket how it's worked out for them.
It protects the Mustang brand, and provides an opportunity for the aftermarket companies to create their own individual brand identity rather than the sameness that comes from everyone co-opting the Mustang name.
astroracer
06-07-2006, 09:33 AM
Does this mean all of these still flying will have to be renamed?
So maybe Ford should be sued by North American for trademark infringement... Too bad NA went out of business...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/06/250pxP51D-1.jpg
Maybe http://www.blm.gov/ needs to sue Ford...
Will they have to change the name of these?
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/06/mustang4-1.jpg
Will Wilson Pickett have to rename his song?
AND change the words in it?
Mustang Sally
Originally performed by Wilson Pickett
Hit # 23 on the Top 40 charts in 1966
Remade by The Commitments for the movie "The Commitments" in 1991
Mustang Sally,
Guess you better slow your Mustang down.
Mustang Sally, my baby,
Guess you better slow your Mustang down.
You been a runnin' all over the town now,
Guess I'll have to put your flat feet on the ground.
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
One of these early mornings
I'm gonna be wipin' those weepin' eyes.
I bought you a brand new Mustang, it was a natural sixty-five.
Now you comin' right signifyin' a woman,
Girl you won't, won't let me ride.
Mustang Sally, now baby,
Guess you better slow that Mustang down.
You been a runnin' all over the town,
Oh, I gotta put your flat feet on the ground.
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
All you wanna do is a ride around, Sally (RIDE SALLY RIDE)
One of these early mornings, I'm gonna be wipin' your weepin' eyes.
Can a worms if you really want to get technical...
Mark
Steve1968LS2
06-07-2006, 09:46 AM
Good business decision and ultimately it will be good for the Mustang aftermarket.
Ask Harley and anyone in their aftermarket how it's worked out for them.
It protects the Mustang brand, and provides an opportunity for the aftermarket companies to create their own individual brand identity rather than the sameness that comes from everyone co-opting the Mustang name.
So you think it helps Ford to slap around enthusiast websites where fans of Mustangs hang out?
I see the idea as ok in terms of products.. but some of this seem rather petty..
In related news: Ford Motor Company F 6.90 -0.05 (-0.72%)
bingham72
06-07-2006, 09:53 AM
I don't see how they can go after any company with Mustang or Pony in their names, unless that business specifically relates to the "FORD MUSTANG". I'm no lawyer, but I think there is something in tradmark law that relates to specific industries. I.e. there is a company that sells Midget Mustangs, though should be protected, because they sell airplanes.
Also, I think GM did this not long ago, because a local company had to change their name to exclude "Camaro".
Ultimately, this all smells of a "shake-down".
Damn True
06-07-2006, 09:53 AM
So you think it helps Ford to slap around enthusiast websites where fans of Mustangs hang out?
I see the idea as ok in terms of products.. but some of this seem rather petty..
In related news: Ford Motor Company F 6.90 -0.05 (-0.72%)
Statistically irellevant, but you can't allow Larry who runs a website to earn income (via advertising revenue) by using the Mustang name while not allowing Joe who owns a parts store to do the same thing.
Sucks for the guy with the website, but just like it has with Harley and it's aftermarket, in the long run it will be better for everyone.
rob07002
06-07-2006, 09:54 AM
Simply because Ford and other large companies have army's of lawyers on retainer so why not put them to use since their paying them anyway..
I don't agree with it just how it is.
Damn True
06-07-2006, 09:58 AM
I don't see how they can go after any company with Mustang or Pony in their names, unless that business specifically relates to the "FORD MUSTANG". I'm no lawyer, but I think there is something in tradmark law that relates to specific industries. I.e. there is a company that sells Midget Mustangs, though should be protected, because they sell airplanes.
Also, I think GM did this not long ago, because a local company had to change their name to exclude "Camaro".
Ultimately, this all smells of a "shake-down".
You are correct. The Trademark or copyright "usually" only pertains to the use of the word or symbol in a manner which by context presents a significant chance that a customer might assume a relationship.
Nobody is going to confuse a relationship between the Mustang Ranch and Ford Motor company. Therefore the Ranch has nothing to worry about.
A barbeque joint called "The Hog Farm" won't be hassled by Harley but a custom chopper shop by the same name will.
The same will be the case with the Ford deal.
Steve1968LS2
06-07-2006, 09:58 AM
Statistically irellevant, but you can't allow Larry who runs a website to earn income (via advertising revenue) by using the Mustang name while not allowing Joe who owns a parts store to do the same thing.
Sucks for the guy with the website, but just like it has with Harley and it's aftermarket, in the long run it will be better for everyone.
Actually they can. They could determin that the website actually benefits the Mustang brand by encouraging loyalty to thier product.
This isn't the government.. Ford can allow "fan clubs" use of the name and businesses not. It's thier call.
I'm surprised GM hasn't gone after this site for use of the Camaro image in the logo..
dropit69
06-07-2006, 10:12 AM
ok thats it im selling..both my mustangs..hopefully for a nice profit on the one:-)
astroracer
06-07-2006, 10:22 AM
Actually, once this gets into litigation, I think Ford will find themselves in deep doodoo... The American Indians have been using the Thunderbird name for one of their spirit/gods for far longer then Ford has been around. If they want to push it I think Ford could be in trouble. I think Ford should consider themselves lucky they haven't been sued themselves.
Just a thought.
Mark
rob07002
06-07-2006, 10:27 AM
I think eveybody should sue everyone else!
astroracer
06-07-2006, 10:35 AM
I think eveybody should sue everyone else!
Johnny Cash (http://www.leoslyrics.com/artists/1470/;jsessionid=CFC9B14E6E53DFE437BF51979009441F) - Boy Named Sue
(http://www.mediataskmaster.com/adimages/real/clickurl.asp?tag=LLlyrtop)
My daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to Ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me 'Sue.'
Well, he must o' thought that is was quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk,
It seems I had to fight my whole life through.
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named 'Sue.'
Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man that give me that awful name.
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry,
I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.
At an old saloon on a street of mud,
There at a table, dealing stud,
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me 'Sue.'
Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had,
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye.
He was big and bent and gray and old,
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said: "My name is 'Sue!' how do you do! Now you gonna die!"
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down but, to my surprise,
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear.
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.
I tell ya, I've fought tougher men
But I really can't remember when,
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,
He went for his gun and I pulled mine first,
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.
And he said: "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I know I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said good-bye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's that name that helped to make you strong."
He said: 'Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you 'Sue'.'
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I come away with a different point of view.
And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him
Bill or George! Anything but sue! I still hate that name!
Sounds like free advertising to me every time X'sMustangParts or MustangPerformance, etc have an ad.
People are smart enough to realize that just because the name has mustang or pony, or the like doesn't mean it is a Ford subsidiary.
Gonzostyle
06-07-2006, 11:03 AM
Damn,
Please explain why you think this will be better for everyone in the long run. I don't see the benifit. Thanks
-Jeremie
Someone set up an online petition, FYI.
http://www.petitiononline.com/65must65/petition-sign.html
Nissan did this to a small business that happened to have the domain nissan.com. Turned out the guys last name was Nissan and it was for his computer business. He bought the domain long before th einternet went huge. Nissan auto sued claiming they had more rights to it because they were afterall a huge company and he was nothing more than some little family computer store. In the end the ruling was that the guy could own nissan.com but it was rendered useless because he wasn't allowed to do anything business related with it. what's my point with this little side note? he with the most money for the best lawyers wins.
Ford will win any decision I am betting. However, I feel Ford has no leg to stand on. Is Mustang trademarked? What about Pony? How about Stang? There is no cybersquatting or trademark infringement going on if you don't have those words as trademarks. I'd like to see the judge throw the case out which would allow the smaller companies to then countersue Ford. What a slap in the face to all those that support you and a car that was built 40 years ago. Completely insulting and Ford should be ashamed. This is not a good decision I believe.
zero g
06-07-2006, 05:25 PM
Didn't this already happen with the cobra kits?
toxicz28
06-07-2006, 05:37 PM
what's my point with this little side note? he with the most money for the best lawyers wins.
Ford will win any decision I am betting.
Chrysler tried doing this about 10 years ago to "Jeep's Bar" in east podunk, nowhere. Much to their surprise, the owner of the bar, a 60-70 year old man named Jeep showed up in court with a picture of him that read "Jeep aged 4 months". Decision went to Jeep's bar. So, those with the most money, and Bently driving lawyers do not always win!
Remember, this is the same company that prefered to pay wrongful death lawsuits than recall the Pinto. And blamed Firestone when they issued a service bulliten instructing techs to reduce tire pressure on the Explorers to 25 psi. And refused to acknowledge the problem with the Crown Vics exploding on rear end impact.(last time I heard, 15 cops were killed by this "non-problem")
I actually hope their pathetic fund raiser fails, and their stock goes the way of the dinosaur!
I hope your right Toxic. I had forgotten about the crown vics and the firestone problem. Too many times though it seems that the deck is stacked against those who can't afford to fight a legal battle. Nevermind that they are in the right legally and shouldn't even have to pay to defend themselves in the first place.
6'9"Witha69
06-08-2006, 08:40 AM
My sisters Expedition caught fire last week. Under the dash no less. Ford's fix to the Crown vic came out about a year ago, retrofit an impact absorbing piece to the gas tank. My former boss took his F150 in for a 35,000 mile check and found there were 5 recalls he needed fixed.
There is a reason I jumped camps 10 years ago!
toxicz28
06-08-2006, 02:29 PM
Ford's fix to the Crown vic came out about a year ago, retrofit an impact absorbing piece to the gas tank.
Yes, but they still refused to admit to any problem, and refused to install the "fix" for the "problem" that they did not have. Real nice, huh?
6'9"Witha69
06-08-2006, 02:34 PM
Yes, but they still refused to admit to any problem, and refused to install the "fix" for the "problem" that they did not have. Real nice, huh?Yeah, rather they played it off like it was the police officer's fault for using it to pull people over on the side of the road and expose the car to getting hit so violently. PLEASE, like any other crown vic couldn't have that problem.
Powered by vBulletin®