I guess I can't type the word "Xustang" anymore..

[Steve1968LS2]

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..





Discuss...

[Mecom Racer]

Well... it's not the first time something like this has happened. GM did the same thing with all the Corvette shops, etc. They own the name. Any intelligent business owner should know not to call their company "Corvette Mike's" or something like that. The gas station named "Mustang Mart" could argue that they are referring to the type of horse, not the car if they are in an area indigenous to the animal... Afterall, what is Ford going to do - make us change the namesake animals' name because they trademarked it? Sue American Indians for riding their Mustang horses? Maybe Turtle Wax should sue to make us all stop calling the little hard shelled critters by their actual name and come up with something else...

Like anything else, what is required here is "common sense". Unfortunately, maybe someone already trademarked that phrase so we can't use it anymore.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by Mecom Racer

Well... it's not the first time something like this has happened. GM did the same thing with all the Corvette shops, etc. They own the name. Any intelligent business owner should know not to call their company "Corvette Mike's" or something like that. The gas station named "Mustang Mart" could argue that they are referring to the type of horse, not the car if they are in an area indigenous to the animal... Afterall, what is Ford going to do - make us change the namesake animals' name because they trademarked it? Sue American Indians for riding their Mustang horses? Maybe Turtle Wax should sue to make us all stop calling the little hard shelled critters by their actual name and come up with something else...

Like anything else, what is required here is "common sense". Unfortunately, maybe someone already trademarked that name so we can't use it anymore.

I think the wild horses of America should sue Ford for using thier name.. they had it first.. lol

At least the word "Corvette" was coined by GM.. Ford couldn't even be that inventive

And does this really help Ford in the long term (or Corvette for that matter) to piss on companies and websites that help your fan base?

[Damn True]

Take a look at the back of a Harley Davidson catalog. They have copyrighted nearly every word you can think of that even remotely relates to Harleys.

They have even copyrighted the sound a Harley makes so companies can't even use a recording of a Harley in a radio or TV ad.

I'm actually suprised that Ford waited as long as they have to do it. Good decision.

[trapin]

Originally Posted by Damn True

Take a look at the back of a Harley Davidson catalog. They have copyrighted nearly every word you can think of that even remotely relates to Harleys.

They have even copyrighted the sound a Harley makes so companies can't even use a recording of a Harley in a radio or TV ad.

I'm actually suprised that Ford waited as long as they have to do it. Good decision.

True...didn't Harley get shot down on that? I had heard the government told them "no" on that one.

[Damn True]

Originally Posted by trapin

True...didn't Harley get shot down on that? I had heard the government told them "no" on that one.

A portion of the original intent was to prevent other manufacturers from building engines that "sound" like a Harley and to force companies like S&S to pay a license to Harley to build duplicates. But since the patent had run out on the version of the V-twin that they were trying to protect (the Evo) and certainly on the shovel, pan and knuck the govt. shot down that portion of the protection.

The protection still provides HD with the means of coming down on someone for using the sound of a Harley in a fasion that implies endorsement. Progressive Insurance got whacked for using it in radio ads about 7 years ago.

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

And does this really help Ford in the long term (or Corvette for that matter) to piss on companies and websites that help your fan base?

Exactly. Talk about cutting their own throat. This is another example of incredible mismanagement and short sightedness. Not only will we all pay for this by on the front end with higher prices for Ford parts and cars, but again on the back end when Ford files for bankruptcy and the Feds bail them out.

[Damn True]

Dosen't seem to have hurt Harley. They made their move right after the AMF debacle when they were at their lowest point. It's been all good for them since.

Correlation is of course not causation, but the move hasn't hurt them at all. Some would argue that it provided the Harley aftermarket a better means of creating their own brand identity for their products rather than having everyone co-opt the Harley names which gave a sense of sameness to everyones stuff.

[Payton King]

Actually GM did not coin the phrase/name "Corvette." Corvette was a very fast warship in the 1400's or 1700's. I cannot remember the exact date.

Here is an idea for all of the people the have Mustang shops. Have your name legally changed to Mustang. Then the company is named after you and not the car. IE Steven Mustang Rupp.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by Damn True

Dosen't seem to have hurt Harley. They made their move right after the AMF debacle when they were at their lowest point. It's been all good for them since.

Correlation is of course not causation, but the move hasn't hurt them at all. Some would argue that it provided the Harley aftermarket a better means of creating their own brand identity for their products rather than having everyone co-opt the Harley names which gave a sense of sameness to everyones stuff.

Does Harley sue motorcycle clubs for using the word Harley? Like I said, I can see this in terms of product but bashing websites and companies that PROMOTE the brand amoung fans seems to be counter productive.. and Ford didn't even invent the word.. The also say they will protect the word "Pony".. so I guess no more Pony Rides.. just "small horse rides".. lol