Ford Suing Enthusiasts Websites
#1
12-10-2008, 11:45 AM
Ford Suing Enthusiasts Websites
credit: Leftlanenews.com
Although Ford recently told Congress that it doesn’t necessarily need a bridge loan to stave off bankruptcy, there is no doubt that the Blue Oval’s pockets are getting a little thin. However, Ford is now looking to for more interesting ways to earn a buck, and has turned to suing enthusiast web sites.
According to TheRangerStation.com – a Ford Ranger fan web site – it has received a letter from a law firm representing Ford asking it to give up its domain name along with any products using a registered Ford name or logo. The letter also demands $5,000 for trademark infringements and threatens a law suit of $100,000 if demands are not met.
“I am certainly not pleased about this,” Scott Monty, head of Ford’s digital communications team, said. “There is nothing more important to us than our loyal fans, and the big picture seems to have escaped some people.”
However, after consulting with Ford’s legal department, Monty revealed “there may be more to the [situation] than meets the eye.” Monty didn’t go into any more detail, but it’s clear there are some underlying issues we’re not privy too.
We’re sure this is far from the end of the Ford/enthusiasts legal battle, so expect to hear more on the subject in the coming days.
Although Ford recently told Congress that it doesn’t necessarily need a bridge loan to stave off bankruptcy, there is no doubt that the Blue Oval’s pockets are getting a little thin. However, Ford is now looking to for more interesting ways to earn a buck, and has turned to suing enthusiast web sites.
According to TheRangerStation.com – a Ford Ranger fan web site – it has received a letter from a law firm representing Ford asking it to give up its domain name along with any products using a registered Ford name or logo. The letter also demands $5,000 for trademark infringements and threatens a law suit of $100,000 if demands are not met.
“I am certainly not pleased about this,” Scott Monty, head of Ford’s digital communications team, said. “There is nothing more important to us than our loyal fans, and the big picture seems to have escaped some people.”
However, after consulting with Ford’s legal department, Monty revealed “there may be more to the [situation] than meets the eye.” Monty didn’t go into any more detail, but it’s clear there are some underlying issues we’re not privy too.
We’re sure this is far from the end of the Ford/enthusiasts legal battle, so expect to hear more on the subject in the coming days.
#6
12-10-2008, 11:53 AM
Suing... America's favorite past time!
This is shitty. I guess we should start thinking of a new name for the forums!
This is shitty. I guess we should start thinking of a new name for the forums!
#8
12-10-2008, 12:06 PM
guys, it aint Ford but a buch of hired, low-life-scum-sucking lawyers doing this and I hightly doubt that the Ford Corporate office knows anything about this.....
#13
12-10-2008, 02:48 PM
i understand the need to protect trademarks, but at the same time, how about simply appreciating some free advertizing on thier products.
EDIT: They should counter-sure ford and make them pay for the advertizing they got for free. lol
EDIT: They should counter-sure ford and make them pay for the advertizing they got for free. lol
#14
12-10-2008, 03:08 PM
I'm not quite understanding so help me out. It's not ford who is suing these sites? Did Ford hire the low-life lawyers? I'm trying to figure out how it isn't ford, but they have the ability to file a lawsuit to protect fords trademarks? I'm honestly not trying to be a smart *** or anything, I just don't get how ford doesn't know about it.
#15
12-10-2008, 03:15 PM
i think he means fords legal department is doing this as a rogue action without clearing it with ford CEOs
#16
12-10-2008, 03:23 PM
No, what I think Randy means, like last time. Some random firm who thinks they can make a quick buck is stong-arming websites and stuff like that who use "Mustang" "Ranger" etc. who probably don't know much about the law, into paying them that $5000 and then thats the end of it. They send some one a big wordy letter that sounds legit into scaring people into paying. You can pretty much ignore them and they can't do anything, better yet get your own lawer and send them a letter back. They will shut-up real quick.
#18
12-10-2008, 03:36 PM
No, what I think Randy means, like last time. Some random firm who thinks they can make a quick buck is stong-arming websites and stuff like that who use "Mustang" "Ranger" etc. who probably don't know much about the law, into paying them that $5000 and then thats the end of it. They send some one a big wordy letter that sounds legit into scaring people into paying. You can pretty much ignore them and they can't do anything, better yet get your own lawer and send them a letter back. They will shut-up real quick.
#19
12-10-2008, 07:07 PM
I think you guys are all missing the real problem here.
There is a Ford Ranger enthusiast website?
There is a Ford Ranger enthusiast website?
#20
12-10-2008, 07:21 PM
Actually those trucks ar pretty gnarley man, i used to have a 2002 Ranger XLT extended cab back before i bought the stang.
in fact, i took that thing 4 wheeling and managed to do far more than i suspect i had any right to do in that little truck. Ended up busting an axle seal though, so i cleaned it up and took it into repair claiming warranty, and ended up leaving the truck at the dealership and left with my mustang
i'd totally get another one of those if i had the cash.
#21
12-10-2008, 07:42 PM
Its happened before, and GM and even Toyota have done it before too. It happens you gotta keep a handle on your copy righted names.
#22
12-16-2008, 11:30 AM
Went to TRS site and saw this from the owner
A while back I had started making decals such as the old FORD tailgate letters, and offering some other decals for Ranger enthusiasts such as the Ranger windshield banner with the Ford logos on each side of it.
Although it was intended to be used as a way to keep The Ranger Station up and running and not a method of becoming independently wealthy...it was vilolating Fords trademarks.
I have talked to Scott Monty from Ford Motor Company and have agreed to:
1) Stop selling the decals since I do not have a trademark license to sell
2) Agree that the 'Ranger' is a product of Ford.
3) Not display any ads on The Ranger Station that would promote a competitor (Example: Banner ad for the new Chevy Colorado, etc)
4) Not use the site to make disparaging comments about Ford (AKA - Anti Ford Site)
5) Not turn The Ranger Station name over to anyone else.
I believe that's about it. I'm waiting from a letter from their attorney.
In return, Ford will allow us to keep The Ranger Station name and will not require that I pay the $5000.00 that the attorneys were asking for.
Scott went on to tell me that they recognize and support their fan websites and I would suggest that any other website owner/administrator reading this will be OK if they judge themselves on the items I had listed above. If you have ad banners you may want to make sure you have Fords competition filtered out.
I would like to say thanks to those that emailed Ford and spread the word. The attention and support from other enthusiats greatly helped in getting this resolved quickly.
I would ask that anyone who has posted about this on another website link the discussions here and ask that the moderator on that site lock the topic.
I also want to thank the other site owners for their support.
Although it was intended to be used as a way to keep The Ranger Station up and running and not a method of becoming independently wealthy...it was vilolating Fords trademarks.
I have talked to Scott Monty from Ford Motor Company and have agreed to:
1) Stop selling the decals since I do not have a trademark license to sell
2) Agree that the 'Ranger' is a product of Ford.
3) Not display any ads on The Ranger Station that would promote a competitor (Example: Banner ad for the new Chevy Colorado, etc)
4) Not use the site to make disparaging comments about Ford (AKA - Anti Ford Site)
5) Not turn The Ranger Station name over to anyone else.
I believe that's about it. I'm waiting from a letter from their attorney.
In return, Ford will allow us to keep The Ranger Station name and will not require that I pay the $5000.00 that the attorneys were asking for.
Scott went on to tell me that they recognize and support their fan websites and I would suggest that any other website owner/administrator reading this will be OK if they judge themselves on the items I had listed above. If you have ad banners you may want to make sure you have Fords competition filtered out.
I would like to say thanks to those that emailed Ford and spread the word. The attention and support from other enthusiats greatly helped in getting this resolved quickly.
I would ask that anyone who has posted about this on another website link the discussions here and ask that the moderator on that site lock the topic.
I also want to thank the other site owners for their support.
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