Toyota sites getting shut down? what the heck?
10-02-06, 12:42 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Toyota sites getting shut down? what the heck?
10-02-06, 01:01 PM
#3
Guest
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Updated--Its mainly forums with the word toyota in it or the cars name in it like tundra or pruis (which that forum is gone already as Im being told) So does that mean honda/acura will be next?
I will say as co-Admin of www.SELOC.net, we did have talks with Toyota about making a couple changes (we were notified in Spring), the biggest was the tradmarked Lexus logo and our font which we used for our name SELOC not just on the site but on mechandise like clothes/hats etc. They were a PLEASURE to deal with and they were correct. They want to support us but don't want official affiliation.
THough the thought of facing me in court did send chills down that multi-billion dollar comapnies spine
(just kidding)So we held a contest and our members made different new logos and fonts and the people voted for the winner and changed our logo and problem resolved!!
As for support, we were told Toyota loves the energy and enthusiam from the forum(s) and want to support positive ones and keep communication open.
Just another reason I will continue to support their products.
10-02-06, 02:49 PM
#6
Super Moderator
It is good to see that Lexus and Toyota are being good sports about this and willing to work with us and others to correct these issues. Most of the time it is inadvertent and one might not even know.
Having been in trademark law, I can assure you I have not seen a Fortune 500 letter written as nicely as the one above. I used to have a friend here in Mexico with Disney legal counsel, and I can assure you they are the most vicious and rightly so. I see so many pirate copies of Disney stuff it is unbelievable.
Having been in trademark law, I can assure you I have not seen a Fortune 500 letter written as nicely as the one above. I used to have a friend here in Mexico with Disney legal counsel, and I can assure you they are the most vicious and rightly so. I see so many pirate copies of Disney stuff it is unbelievable.
10-02-06, 03:19 PM
#7
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I remember Honda had to do something like this a couple or so years ago. It wasn't as big of a deal because most of the forums that were using the Honda trademark were sponsored by Honda anyways and the ones that were not deserved to be shut down anyways.
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10-02-06, 07:49 PM
#9
Super Moderator
Oh they can be nasty at times, too. My friend at Disney knew someone who left their legal time to join Microsoft, but Disney still takes the prize.
10-02-06, 09:58 PM
#10
Lexus Connoisseur
This is nothing new to be honest. Back in the day, late 1998, I was an active member of Camryman's Passing lane aka www.camryman.com. Because of the legalities with TMS Legal, the owner was allowed to keep the "Camryman" name but change the website from .com to .org since it was an enthusiast org. If you notice, the .com address aforementioned redirects to Toyota's main page.
Here at CL, we are very fortunate to have a great relationship with Lexus Corp and TMS Legal. As you guys have seen changes with our logo, we are very fortunate to bear the name with their approval. As 1SICKLEX mentioned, Toyota & Lexus are very enthusiastic about our pride & enthusiasm for their products. Because the names are trademarked, they obviously have to be protected by their rightful owners and we definitely respect that. If you look at it at a legal standpoint, the manufacturer wants to limit it's liabilities to any company or websites bearing their name. Because in the case that some individual or party wants to sue "x car brand.com", they will also try to take down the main manufacturer which that website is trying to promote or represent. The same thing happened with many Toyota/Lexus independent shops more than 10 years ago. As you all can currently see, we have made the appropriate changes with their guidance.
Here at CL, we are very fortunate to have a great relationship with Lexus Corp and TMS Legal. As you guys have seen changes with our logo, we are very fortunate to bear the name with their approval. As 1SICKLEX mentioned, Toyota & Lexus are very enthusiastic about our pride & enthusiasm for their products. Because the names are trademarked, they obviously have to be protected by their rightful owners and we definitely respect that. If you look at it at a legal standpoint, the manufacturer wants to limit it's liabilities to any company or websites bearing their name. Because in the case that some individual or party wants to sue "x car brand.com", they will also try to take down the main manufacturer which that website is trying to promote or represent. The same thing happened with many Toyota/Lexus independent shops more than 10 years ago. As you all can currently see, we have made the appropriate changes with their guidance.
Last edited by flipside909; 10-02-06 at 10:10 PM.
