http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/f...ark-violation/

Ford wants the website to cough up $5,000 for copyright infringement...


"As if Ford didn't have enough bad PR today after a South Carolinian dealer shout his mouth off on the radio. Now comes word that fan site TheRangerStation.com (TRS) has been contacted by the automaker's lawyers and told to cough up $5,000 and the rights to the website's domain name as a result of copyright infringement. First of all, we're just as surprised as you that there's a fan site devoted to the Ford Ranger and that the Blue Oval even remembered it still sold the Ranger.

This isn't the first time that Ford has sought to protect its trademarked names. Earlier this year it sent out lawyers to confront enthusiast magazines, websites and even parts suppliers using the Mustang name. We're not sure how those cases ended, but we can understand the Blue Oval getting antsy over unapproved use of its most famous brand. But the Ranger? We suspect that TRS ran afoul when Ford's lawyers noticed the online store at which people can buy decals and apparels bearing the website's name.

Despite what you may think of Ford's actions here, TheRangerStation.com has little wiggle room. The 10-year-old website can either pay Ford the licensing fee and seek approval for all material on its website bearing the Ranger name, or it can erase all mention of the truck's moniker from the website, including the URL. Members are currently emailing Ford to petition against these two options, so we'll see what happens. Thanks to everyone for the tip!

[Source: TheRangerStation.com]"

 

I have a hard time getting fired up about any company protecting its valuable trademarks. If they pick and choose who they go after, instead of going after everyone, they may risk losing certain rights.

That's why they got the trademark in the first place.

 

I never understood why car companies want to sue enthusiast websites for using their names or logos. These people are the ones who bought your cars and actually like them. They are loyal customers. Why would you attack them? They're shooting themselves in the foot.

 

this makes me wonder if lexus did anything like this to any of our fan sites (including club lexus)

 

At one point all of the major auto corps did this to fan sites.

But to the OP, here are more FACTS to go with this.

Dear Jim,

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 tmgroup@ford.com. To request a license to produce or sell branded merchandise bearing Ford’s trademarks, contact branduse@ford.com.

In short, we are not asking for $5,000 and we would like TheRangerStation.com to keep the domain name. We simply encourage TheRangerStation.com to contact Ford to request a license to continue using the domain name.

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.

Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company

 

They spend $50K in legal fees to get $5K recovery of supposed copyright infringement and **** off some of their most loyal customers. There's a guy at my local mall that will cut you a Ford decal for your car. Let's send 10 lawyers and sue him for $1M.

And you wonder why the American auto industry needs a bailout?

 

I think this is a repost no? Actually Toyota/Lexus reached out to Clublexus, SELOC, ToyotaNation etc in the past to ensure there was no copyright infringement. This is nothing new.
I can speak on SELOC and they were very polite and actually encourage the site(s) and are happy to see enthusiasts.

Sadly when an American company does it, its the end of the world as we know it.

 

Nothing new, more anti-American car company posts. It is in style these days.

All the car companies have done and do this; they are protecting what is theirs. For some reason having integrity is out of style these days as well.

 

Lexus did I think and that's the reason why we can't get those old-school Club Lexus stickers anymore...

 

I understand for Lexus to attack those **** stars with names like Lexus..

but enthusiast sites, they should just leave it alone IMO

I have the old school CL stickers, many ways to get them

 

that sucks . . . those stickers are hawt

 

How is this any different from bashing people for producing knock offs? It's the same thing. I would do the exact same to protect my copyright and image from crappy knock offs.

 

Just because someone likes your brand doesn't mean they suddenly have the privilege to freely distribute or use your trademarks and copyrighted materials. I'm with Ford on this one.

 

From personal experience that you get running a company that I would rather not have, there is something in the law called laches. It relates to not asserting your rights. If you have rights to assert, whether it be owning a trademark or owning a piece of property and you let people violate your rights, especially if you know it is going on, and you don't do anything, you can lose your ability to ever assert your rights.

If you own the empty lot across from your house and someone starts building a house on it without your permission and you watch it being built every day but say nothing, you can't wait until he is done and then say I never gave you permission so the house is mine. Beyond that, you don't want to get into it. Ford has every right to protect what is theirs no matter how innocuous the violation seems.

 

Stop the actual consumers of your sub standard cars from celebrating the miserable creation you call a truck. Another great move by Ford motor company. The site is nothing but publicity for its ranger trucks. enthusiasts can discuss their vehicles like we do. Its a great resource for the consumers and creates more brand loyalty and pride of ownership imo.