I ran across this link and thought that some of you might be interested.
http://www.theadminzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57157
http://www.theadminzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57157
Hope GM Doesn't Get Chickensh** Like Ford.
- Thread starter cbrew2001
- Start date
Ford has been doing this for the last couple of years. Take your fans and sue them, yep seems like a idea to me. :screwy:
That was the first I had heard of them doing it, but your right thats stupid sueing your fans and supporters. Kind of like biting the hand that feeds you.
A site that I go on for ford rangers ect.... recently got attacked by ford attourneys but it was resolved after ford got thousands of emails from members
Email I got from Ford:
Hello and Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. Without question, Ford enthusiasts are extremely important to us. Their enthusiasm and loyalty are part of our heritage and part of what's going to keep us moving forward.
Recently, there was an item posted stating that Ford was requesting TheRangerStation.com to turn over its URL to Ford and pay $5,000. We'd like the opportunity to share some additional facts that might make a difference in how you think about this situation.
In its communications, TheRangerStation.com stated that Ford was making them change the name of their site and pay $5,000. What was not mentioned was that TheRangerStation.com was selling counterfeit Ford-brand merchandise on the site. As a company, Ford has a responsibility to protect our brand and a responsibility to our licensees. We cannot let something like that pass. (The counterfeit goods have been removed from the website since TheRangerStation.com got the letter from Ford's attorney.)
Please know that Ford takes no joy in pursuing enthusiast sites. Since there are a number of sites out there with Ford vehicles as part of their names or URLs, some people have asked if they should be concerned. Ford has been and continues to be willing to license its trademarks for use by enthusiast groups and enthusiast websites. Requesting a license is done easily by contacting [email protected]. To request a license to produce or sell branded merchandise bearing Ford's trademarks, contact [email protected].
We hope you will share this information with anyone who is concerned. We deeply appreciate our fans’ dedication and enthusiasm and want to be able to work together with all of our supporters to tell the Ford story.
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company
Email I got from Ford:
Hello and Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. Without question, Ford enthusiasts are extremely important to us. Their enthusiasm and loyalty are part of our heritage and part of what's going to keep us moving forward.
Recently, there was an item posted stating that Ford was requesting TheRangerStation.com to turn over its URL to Ford and pay $5,000. We'd like the opportunity to share some additional facts that might make a difference in how you think about this situation.
In its communications, TheRangerStation.com stated that Ford was making them change the name of their site and pay $5,000. What was not mentioned was that TheRangerStation.com was selling counterfeit Ford-brand merchandise on the site. As a company, Ford has a responsibility to protect our brand and a responsibility to our licensees. We cannot let something like that pass. (The counterfeit goods have been removed from the website since TheRangerStation.com got the letter from Ford's attorney.)
Please know that Ford takes no joy in pursuing enthusiast sites. Since there are a number of sites out there with Ford vehicles as part of their names or URLs, some people have asked if they should be concerned. Ford has been and continues to be willing to license its trademarks for use by enthusiast groups and enthusiast websites. Requesting a license is done easily by contacting [email protected]. To request a license to produce or sell branded merchandise bearing Ford's trademarks, contact [email protected].
We hope you will share this information with anyone who is concerned. We deeply appreciate our fans’ dedication and enthusiasm and want to be able to work together with all of our supporters to tell the Ford story.
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company
If you read further into it...it's not Ford doing this. It's an independent firm in Utah acting on Ford's behalf.
They basically strong arm these websites into giving up their names and some cash or the firm sues them then gives Ford some money if they win.
Ford isn't behind it...but they aren't stopping it either...and the firm does it for many different mfg's.
I found links to a VW site they did the same thing to back in 04 or 05.
They basically strong arm these websites into giving up their names and some cash or the firm sues them then gives Ford some money if they win.
Ford isn't behind it...but they aren't stopping it either...and the firm does it for many different mfg's.
I found links to a VW site they did the same thing to back in 04 or 05.
Its true, theres more to it than the email I got. Ford wont do anything about it unless there is a big uproar about it, and there was then they notified the law firm and then it was dropped. Lawyers out trying to make money anywhere they can
