[ckelly]

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060510/MONEY/605100302/1003

I'm sure you're on the list.

 

[tonys10sec306]

Thats crazy!!

 

[mstngjoe]

I wonder if maybe Ford is a passive participant in this and the private firm ambulance chasers are going after $$$ for themselves.

Obviously Ford would get a cut, though I also wonder if in the long run it's worth the negative p.r.

 

[MJMcCarthy4]

That's just a little overboard. Like the article said, in some ways having the name Mustang out there is free advertising for Ford.

 

[Mikelonis]

Indeed we have!!!

"MordFuscle"

 

[MHumpy]

I remember it wasn't that long ago and Harley Davidson did the same thing...including going after companies using the term "Hog" in reference to motorcycle parts. Many shops just changed their name and continued on, but many lost it all when they challenged the giant. I guess sometimes Goliath does beat David....such a shame.
I am sure you also can recall when Harley Davidson tried to copyright the "sound" of a Harley....crazy, money hungry people. I can understand going after someone ripping off your name, but in most cases these folks are giving royalties to the manufacturer...just a crying shame....

Mike

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Humphrey351 on 5/24/06 6:43am ]</font>

 

[Mikelonis]

Yeah, it's amazing. On the back of the official 2006 Ford Mustang brochure. Ford marketing decided to place the names of hundreds of Mustang enthusiast clubs. Most of which bear the Mustang name of course. Their reason for doing this could only be to demonstrate the fact that these clubs formed out of passion for the Mustang model.

It's amazing that Ford will come down on the vendors that supply the enthusiasts that belong to these clubs. Some of which, I am sure are profitable. Has Ford asked these clubs to relinquish control of their "Mustang" oriented monikers?

 

[BobsSleeper]

Ford is losing money, they want to take the small shops that help keep there name out front down with them. Just lke Nascar GREED GREED GREED

 

[dpfalls]

I submitted a nice email to Ford detailing the disgust that is being engendered by their lawsuits. I would encourage all of you to do the same. I stated I would never buy another Ford if they keep it up. I mean that. I will buy Dodge products.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: dpfalls on 5/24/06 9:24am ]</font>

 

[HankyJ]

That's an appalling move by Ford. It's just the stupidest, most short-sighted thing in the world. Ford Muscle, Mustangs Plus, etc. are CELEBRATING Ford, not taking anything away from them. Every time someone logs onto Ford Muscle he is building Ford brand loyalty, and Ford gets that absolutely free! What stupidity! It's why I mostly hate lawyers (or rather, lawsuits - hate the sin, love the sinner, that kind of thing). I worked for a big ad agency 18 years ago which had the Mattel Barbie doll account. On Sunset Strip there was a giant billboard of two twins, who LOOKED like human Barbie dolls, in very provocative poses, and called themselves the Barbee Twins. Mattel did a cease and decist letter because they were too close to the brand image they had built up over the years and they were in essence taking from them. But Ford is just nuts to do this to Fordophiles. Just stupid.

 

[mavman]

my question is this: What does Ford Motor Company have to gain from doing that?

Compared to what they have to lose...

 

[ShotRod64]

Wasn't that Obsolete Ford parts that was having that trouble last year or so? Ford was on their case to change thier name and the home page of the vendor had an article about it? It might not of been Obsolete but it was one that us older Ford fans frequented for parts.
Take the name out of the system and 20 yrs from now someone will mention Ford to thier kid and the kid will say "who? what?" Almost like a record, 8 or 4 track tape.

Now what if the horse lovers start getting on Ford's back for using the Mustang name for a car? Hmmm

Deb



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ShotRod64 on 5/24/06 12:43pm ]</font>

 

[107485]

mustangsteve has to change his name too, what about all the magazines at the newstands, mopar, chevy, 5.0 , mustangs and fords, etc. will they take all of them out too?! fair is fair! but its not fair!. almost like imminent domain. you think they will mess with the big money publishing companies that make mustangs and fords etc.? i doubt it.

 

[63Sean]

Since Boeing bought out North American Rockwell about 10 years ago. maybe Boeing outta sue Ford for using the Mustang name. I believe North American made the P-51 fighter and that's where the Mustang moniker came from.

And does this mean Ford Modeling Agency has to change their name now?

sean

_________________
Quando omni flunkus moritati . . .

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 63Sean on 5/24/06 8:11pm ]</font>

 

[FALCONAROUND]

That's RIGHT!!! THe P-51D came out 30 years before the Ford Mustang!
Ford should be ashamed of them selves for useing that name!

 

[ckelly]

It's not greed - it's about protecting their assets and trademarks. They lost the Futura and GT-40 name by not protecting the trademark. The'll not make that mistake again, I'm sure. Unfortunately, the courts interpret "protect" to mean aggressive prosecution of people trying to use the trademark for buisness. If Boeing tried to sell a Mustang now, they probably would have to deal with Ford. Ford used the Futura name for a long time, but they failed to hassle Pep Boys when they started selling the Futura tire. When Ford decided that they might use the name again, Pep Boys moved to "protect" the Futura name. Nobody is going to confuse a tire with car, but we have to deal with the "reality" of the US court system - and that reality says "sue 'em or lose it". Pep Boys did - and won. What do you think would happen to Ford - already on the rocks - if they lost control of the Ford and Mustang trademark? Ford should have never let it go as far as it did. Microsoft is pretty agressive about trademark protection - "Linspire" in Europe used to be "LindowsOS" before the Gates Gang got ahold of them.

As for the Ford Modeling Agency, try changing your name to Mustang and opening Mustang's Parts - you might get away with it, but probably not. If your birth name is Ford, then you might get away with Ford's Parts.

New stuff? No it's not -August 2002:
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-955447.html

Guess what - use the word "restomod" in your business and ??????'s Plus may come after YOU:
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060510/MONEY/605100302/1003

The car makers are pissing in each others cereal bowls
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06110/683737-185.stm

And, for your reading pleasure, an FAQ
http://www.chillingeffects.org/trademark/faq.cgi#QID250


This probably applies the closest:
"For instance, if your opponent uses “opera” on truffles and you use "opera" on silk gloves, consumers are not likely to confuse the products. If the mark is determined by a court to be famous, however, confusion is irrelevant and [non-fair] use on any type of goods may be an infringement."
_________________

1967 Falcon 4 door w/351C - Owner built, owner abused.
70 Mustang 302 / 06 Ranger, 04 SuperCrew parts hauler
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ckelly on 5/24/06 9:57pm ]</font>

 

[Iethiopian]

But were not the horses here first? You know the ones they call Mustangs?
I'm sure you all remember when the musician Prince went head to head with the industry and was going by the "Artist formally know as Prince" and used that symbol that had no name and could not be spoken? Well it was all a clever way of doing a cake walk around those who had him by the balls and owned him and his name. He could not perform or make money using the name Prince since they owned him at the time.
So, I own a Musstang and I need a part, how do I find it or a source if the supplier can not use the name Mustang, Ford or the symbol of the pony? Maybe they can get away with "Musstangs Plus" or Forrd Muscle" how about Phord Muscle?

Folks have been paying to store and own the rights to Domain names for some time now soon those names will pay off like gold when we no longer have the rights to use words we all thought were part of the English vocabulary.
What next, Christian organizations suing people that have Christian names that do not tithe or belong to a church, or all those who use the name Jesus?
Ras Daniel

 

[Chooch65]

I decided to email Ford also. Don't think that it will do no good, think that we all must let them hear from us to make them rethink their position on brand name recognition and brand name loyalty. If you have time to post to this forum you certainly have time to send Ford an email

Think Civil Rights Movement, Womens Rights Movement, UAW Organization Movement. The only thing that gets through to the powers that be is the unification of the voice of the people, it forces them to listen and take notice

_________________

352-Edelbrock4V-Hookers-Mallory Dizzy-Cruise-O-3.00 Open
New Chassis Being Prepped
Tomorrow never comes so enjoy today like it might be your last.
Let's get on with it!!!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Chooch65 on 5/24/06 11:48pm ]</font>

 

[Motorhead]

I don't see why they can't protect their assets by notifying these people in writing that Ford approves of them using the Mustang name, but reserves the right to withdraw their approval should they do anything to damage the name. I mean isn't it just as easy to give permission as it is to take away, and still maintain full control over it?

_________________
'86 Bronco fullsize, 460, E4OD
'85 Ranger, 340hp 289, T5

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Motorhead on 5/25/06 4:39am ]</font>

 

[roger628]

I wonder how they fell about the T-5 name?
T-5s Plus, anyone?