C2K_Rider
Posts:173
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| 12/10/2013 02:12 PM |
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Kind of reminds me of a time in my lab industry that a vendor trademarked a name of a method, then said anyone using that name would have to license it from them. The mistake they made was actully going after not only other vendors, but researchers as well who would use that term in their papers and demanding licensing fees. That provoked a huge backlash against the company and their sales dropped by 75% in one year. They dropped the demands, but the damage was done. The irony is that later the trademark office took the trademark away after determing the term was too general for a trademark.
So, How does ANY company trademark the name of a town? doesn't the town itself own that name? This just sounds like total BS to me. Typical business BS that businesses use to try to get something for absolutely nothing.
Also, another amusing anecdote. In Atlanta there is an ice cream shop called Basket Rabbit. yes, it used to be a Baskin Robbins but the owner got fed up with paying franchise fees to BR and getting absolutely nothing from them in return that he quit the franchise and renamed his shop. He said they made a little noise about coming after him but nothing every materialized. Maybe he was just lucky. |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 12/10/2013 02:49 PM |
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It's a no-win situation for Specialized now. Their best choice would probably be to just let it die.
It's sort of like the Olympic Games trademarking the word Olympic. During the Vancouver games, they went after a pizza place Olympic Pizza in Seattle, ~140 miles away, and telling them they needed to change their name. Seriously, no one is going to mistake the Olympic Games for a pizza place, or think it is endorsed.
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 12/10/2013 03:16 PM |
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Update:
From the Facebook:
Café Roubaix Bicycle Studio
I had a great conversation with Mike Sinyard today, and I am happy to let everyone know that things will be working out fine.
We thank you for your continued support. You have all been so very awesome to us!
Thank you,
Dan |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 12/10/2013 03:20 PM |
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So, How does ANY company trademark the name of a town? doesn't the town itself own that name? This just sounds like total BS to me. Typical business BS that businesses use to try to get something for absolutely nothing.
It can't trademark a town's name universally and no one does. A company can TM a geographic location for commercial purposes in specific product categories, i.e. bicycles, etc. happens all the time....Dodge Durango, Hyundai Santa Fe, etc.
Durango is still free to use tis town name as they need / wish....unless they get into the car manufacturing business and make a line of cars named the Durangos. then Dodge would have legitimate TM case against them. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 12/10/2013 04:07 PM |
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Giving up Specialized is going to be a challenge. I remembered last night the floor pump I got about 3 years ago that I love and have raved about here is Specialized. And I have 3 pics of the Specialized angel from the 2006 TOC. (Well that's a little easier. She doesn't inflate tires.)
Ben |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 12/10/2013 04:35 PM |
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| Jeez, Ben, in thinking about how much I love my Specialized shoes and, dare I say it, my Roubaix, I'd forgotten all about the floor pump. Then there's my Stump Jumper. This is going to be tough. |
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Pin0Q0
Posts:229
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| 12/10/2013 04:53 PM |
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Yep, I’m with Ben. Insult my intelligence with commercials like Bud, Miller and Coors and pi$$ me off with corporate greed and I’ll boycott the brand, even thou it’s a vapor in a bucket, but the point is I do not want to represent that brand.
When I was much younger my Dad use to drive around looking for free air to fill up his tires, I use to get frustrated and say Dad you’re spending more money in gas by driving around. His response was “It’s the principal”.
Took me a while to get it but I am so glad I got it. |
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Entheo
Posts:317
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| 12/11/2013 06:51 AM |
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| i'm not sure a lifetime ban is in order for their transgression; i suspect they've learned a valuable lesson here. nike, on the other hand... |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 12/11/2013 09:20 AM |
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| Remember that this is not their first or second or probably even 3rd act of bullying a small businessman under a technically legal but otherwise absurd pretense. |
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Entheo
Posts:317
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| 12/11/2013 10:24 AM |
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| others are arguing that S has done a lot in terms of sponsorship, IBD loyalty, product design/testing, fighting for land access and advocacy. each person can choose to mete out, with the non-use of their wallets, the punishment of their choice. |
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C2K_Rider
Posts:173
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| 12/11/2013 12:33 PM |
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Posted By Cosmic Kid on 12/10/2013 03:20 PM
Durango is still free to use tis town name as they need / wish....unless they get into the car manufacturing business and make a line of cars named the Durangos. then Dodge would have legitimate TM case against them.
So really, all towns should trademark their own names and license that name to all companies wanting to use it. The businesses could then have the pleasure of paying for the right to make money off a name that has nothing whatsoever to do with their company.
The idea a company can trademark a word that is in common usage is a completely unethical (and stupid) notion. The fact it happens shows how utterly unethical our society can be. It's a lot like the nonsesical notion that corporations can be considered as "persons" for legal reasons.
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 12/11/2013 12:40 PM |
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Entheo, they can do all of that stuff and still refrain from squashing small businesses that are absolutely no threat. In fact, in cases like this, doing the right thing is exceptionally easy. Considerably easier than the actions they chose to pursue. Sitting on one's hands requires legal time, envelopes, stamps or phone calls and has no hidden costs (or consequences).
Witness ASI. That approach served them well.
Ben
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 12/11/2013 01:03 PM |
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C2K, I would have less problem with corporations being "people" for legal purposes if like actual people, they can serve jail time for crimes. For BP's actions in the Gulf, wouldn't 15 years be appropriate? No production, no sales, no business transactions, no financial transactions for 15 years. For shareholders, that paper is worthless and un-tradeable for 15 years. I suspect that would get attention (and make more than a few regret that corporate "person" thing).
Ben |
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winterale
Posts:48
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| 12/11/2013 04:36 PM |
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| Just saw Sinyard flew up north and had breakfast with Dan at Cafe Roubaix...DAMAGE CONTROL! |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 12/11/2013 07:26 PM |
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Pretty contrite
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sinyard-takes-responsibility-and-apologises-to-cafe-roubaix-owner |
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