đź“° Auto News Ford Threatens Enthusiast Sites With Lawsuits Over Copyright Infringement

Bru

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From Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/5106183/bold-mo...tes-with-lawsuits-over-copyright-infringement

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In a recent letter to enthusiast web sites, Ford's reportedly requiring the relinquishment of all Ford trademarks including domain names, banners, signs and merchandise as well as a restitution payment of $5,000 by December 19th.

The days of the Carpocalypse are upon us and Ford is now taking it to the internet, web 2.0-style. In a recent letter received by enthusiast sites including, TheRangerStation.com, Ford is requiring the relinquishment of all Ford trademarks including domain names, banners, signs and merchandise as well as a restitution payment of $5000 by December 19th, 2008.

Enthusiast sites that have received a letter from the Howard, Phillips and Andersen legal firm will be required to promptly remove all FoMoCo-trademarked material and are threatening a $100,000 lawsuit on top of the aforementioned restitution payment.

Ford claims the unofficial use of their trademarked names are damaging, which we don't buy. The one thing we would buy is the desire to keep others from profiting from the Ford brand in the form of merchandise. But we're wondering whether Ford's lawyers should really be going after enthusiast web sites right now when they need friends anywhere they can get them.

Of course, maybe we're on the wrong track of thought here — maybe we should be thinking they’re looking to make a buck any way they can? Or could Ford be concerned the leveraged-to-the-hilt logos won't be worth as much to the automaker's growing corps of creditors? More than likely it's just another case of the lawyers not understanding what the value of positive PR is.
 

Fish

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I was reading on a mustang site last year about how Ford went after them because they made a calendar with Ford cars without Fords consent. Even though it was cars owned by forum members.

They are trying to show they are billy badass by not taking government money, but turning around to take more money from customers. Way to keep business coming in.
 

DOC-Z

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If they can go after them for using the name Ranger, then that will allow professional sports teams to do the same...right??? Then whats next? Copyrighting a word? Heaven forbid you say the word "JIZZMIT" because I own that! Pay up or get sued Bayotch! <knock knock> Oh...look its 'big brother' taking away your rights again. Lets welcome him in and give him a cup-o-joe and a blowj@b in exchange for an anal reaming.
 

Dasfinc

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Email from the ranger station Admin to all members:

Agreement Reach With Ford.‏
From: <img id="P___606190910" webimdisplaystyle="inline" style="display: none;"> [email protected] ([email protected])
i_yellowshield.gif
You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as unsafe Sent: Thu 12/11/08 12:28 AM To: [email protected]
As requested by many members, I am sending a new email out about the current issue with Ford.

Again I applogize for this unsolicited email.

Initially, a law firm representing Ford had contacted me wanting me to surrender the domain to TRS and send them a check for $5,000 for damages.

The firm cited our sales of decals that used used the Ford logo or trademark names, our use of ford photos that infringed on Fords trade dress rights, and for the use of the word 'Ranger' which was a trade name of Ford.

As far as the photos, I had obtained them from the Ford media site through our TRS media account, so we had a right to use them.

Thanks to the support of our members (and your messages to Ford) I had been contacted by Scott Monty who is head of social media at Ford.

Essentially, it came down to TRS selling decals with Fords tradenames to cover site expenses without a license and Fords responsibility to protect those licenses.

There wasn't any negotiations required, Scott Monty stated that they did not want us to lose the TRS name and asked that TRS stop selling the unlicensed decals.

We are keeping our name and will not have to submit the $5,000 requested by the attorneys.

Please follow the link below for more details:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32874

To read Fords response on our website, please visit:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32875

Thanks again for your support. I was told that we had a large showing of support from enthusiasts. I believe your response not only helped clear this up quickly but will actually strengthen The Ranger Station's relationship with Ford in the future.

I would ask that if you posted this information anywhere on the internet that you direct the discussion to the link I posted above.

Thanks,

Jim Oaks
 

GLIKENNY

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Oct 7, 2008
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I was reading on a mustang site last year about how Ford went after them because they made a calendar with Ford cars without Fords consent. Even though it was cars owned by forum members.

They are trying to show they are billy badass by not taking government money, but turning around to take more money from customers. Way to keep business coming in.

i cant see how Ford would win a lawsuit in this case, since the cars are not owned by Ford anymore. I agree that if they keep shit like this up, their sales are going to be affected.

it will come down to people debadging their cars right away like comercials do when they use a car.
 
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