could LOST get sued??

jerbacher · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:04 pm

this article just came out today about Ford suing a Ranger enthusiast site for copyright infringement. is it possible for this to happen to LOST?

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-reportedly-suing-enthusiasts-web-sites-over-trademark-infringements.html

I guess we do have this across the bottom of our site:
Jeep® and Liberty are copyrighted and trademarked to Daimler-Chrysler Corporation.
LOST KJS.com is not associated with or endorsed by the Daimler-Chrysler Corp.
All other content is copyright LOST KJS© 2005

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:14 pm

In a world with Lawyers on every street corner ready to sue someone , I would guess anything is possible or may happen, but LOST should be pretty well protected with the wording at the bottom.
I mean Jeep even used LOST Trailride pictures and mentioned LOST in the 2006 Liberty Brochures so they know who LOST is and where we are :wink:

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:16 pm

Anyone can sue anyone for anything they wish...................its a matter of whether or not its worth the battle to them and whether the courts would just throw it out or not. I do not know the whole story on the Ranger group and theres a possiblity they have done something that Ford didn't like.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:27 pm

When I first saw the thread title I was actually thinking about a suit from ABC over the name

As Tom mentioned we have a good relationship with Jeep and we know that representatives of Jeep (engineers, sales, etc) visit the site on a regular basis so my opinion would be that it would not happen. Members of this site have in the past helped Jeep with a couple of press-related trail events and the response from the company has been positive. It's also one of the reasons we try to maintain a family-friendly enviroment on the site

omGoddard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:29 pm

America, you can sue anyone for anything.

Are the automakers hurting that bad that they're suing enthusiast forums? :lol:

j/k

Eh, article says they were using Fords name/logo on products they made...asking for trouble there!

omGoddard · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:33 pm

http://therangerstation.com/forums/show ... hp?t=32801

Ford is upset that they have 'ranger' in the websites name. I don't think the lawsuit will last. I think almost every car site I've been on contains the vehicles name. Dumb move on their part. I'm sure if Jeep came in here raisin' a stink a lot of customers would be p'd off.

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:37 pm

corwyyn wrote:

Members of this site have in the past helped Jeep with a couple of press-related trail events and the response from the company has been positive

taken from the guy who owns therangerstation domain..

Quote:

I think it's so darn Bizarre that I emailed back and forth with Ford when they were designing the FX4 and even got to wheel with them to test it out before it hit the dealers, and now their screwing with us.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:37 pm

tommudd wrote:

In a world with Lawyers on every street corner ready to sue someone , I would guess anything is possible or may happen, but LOST should be pretty well protected with the wording at the bottom.
I mean Jeep even used LOST Trailride pictures and mentioned LOST in the 2006 Liberty Brochures so they know who LOST is and where we are :wink:

Hmmm....wonder why we have worked our keasters off around here to keep this place friendly, clean and family oriented?? It isn't by coincidence that Jeep recognized this group the way it has over the years.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:01 pm

Been a while back but a Mustang forum got shutdown due to the same thing...Guess Ford has got a corncob up their rear for stuff like that. I know my camaro club had dislaimers at the bottom and even gotten premission from GM in writing.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:13 pm

ABC would lose. We were around before the show.

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:20 pm

Apparently the site is selling stickers that are direct copies of several ford logos... I guess the $5000 is the fine for copyright infringement on the artwork?

InCommando · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:34 pm

Don't get suckered in with a sob story about this being about the name of the site. This guy is an intellectual property theif selling counterfeit goods, just like the fake gucci stuff at the flea market.

Even his logo :

is stolen from:

Link to the faked goods:

http://64.233.169.132/search?sourcei...ecals_Ford.htm

If the link gets taken down, TRS is selling the tint strips for the top of the windshield that have a ford logo at each end and the truck name in the middle, with no mention of the website. They are selling " built ford tough" stickers. FORD lettering for tailgates. Ford emblems & badges. Stuff like that & none of this stuff even bothers to list the website, it is an out-and-out commercial venture.

Letter from Ford:

Thank you for your email. What people do not understand is that the Ranger Station was selling, without a license, counterfeit Ford® decals as depicted below:

( note: see link above)

These Ford trademarks are the intellectual property of Ford and Ford has authorized licensees who sell these decals and pay a licensing royalty to Ford. Think about it this way. Assume that you are a world-famous celebrity and people are counterfeits of your autograph or photos that were falsely autographed by you and making money off of your autograph and image. You would demand that these people stop selling your counterfeit autograph and image and that these people compensate you for misappropriating your image. Similarly, if someone were selling counterfeit images of Mickey Mouse, the Walt Disney Corporation would go after them. If someone were selling T-Shirts with counterfeits of the Dallas Cowboy logo, the Dallas Cowboys would go after them.

Ford has no complaints with Ranger enthusiasts or people who support the Ford brand. All Ford is doing is protecting its intellectual property, and protecting its licensees.

Here is an article that I wrote recently about why Ford protects its trademarks. I hope that it helps you understand Ford’s position. I also hope that you will post this email on your discussion boards that Ranger enthusiasts consider and understand Ford’s position.

The Ford trademarks and trade dress are some of the most recognizable in the world. Ford takes a tremendous amount of pride in this, and considers its trademarks to be among the most valuable assets. In an effort to both enhance and protect the value of the Ford name and image, Ford is constantly engaged in both promoting its trademarks and policing their use to ensure that persons and businesses authorized to do so use the trademarks in an acceptable manner.

Because of the cachet of the world-famous Ford name, thousands of independent businesses and people make a living from or pursue a hobby related to Ford products and services. Unfortunately, many of these businesses improperly attempt to affiliate themselves with Ford by using Ford trademarks and trade dress (for instance, the depictions or photographs of Ford’s distinctively shaped vehicles) in advertising their products and services. Ford appreciates the enthusiasm these people have for Ford products. Ford in no way wants to put these companies out of business, or prevent these businesses from advertising their products and services in a manner that is fair under Federal and state trademark laws. Ford cannot, however, allow these businesses to use Ford’s trademarks and trade dress in a way that creates the appearance that these businesses are affiliated with, sponsored by, or approved by Ford when they are not.

Ford’s trademarks and trade dress serve several important purposes. First, seeing the distinctive Ford logo on a product or business is an immediate indication that the product or business is authorized by Ford. Second, a product bearing a Ford trademark is an indication that the product is of high quality and has passed Ford’s strict quality control procedures and inspections. Third, placing a Ford trademark on a product indicates that Ford, or an authorized agent, is the source of the product, and that the product is genuine and not counterfeit. When the public purchases a product or service sold under a Ford trademark, the public has every right to expect that the product or service is the “real thing.” All of this, in turn, contributes to the value of Ford trademarks as legitimate and important business assets of the company.

At times Ford enthusiasts question why Ford is so adamant about policing its trademarks and preventing unauthorized uses or infringements of them. It is quite common for someone who is using a trademark without permission to say, “I’m giving Ford free advertising, so why does Ford care?” Ford cares because it is important that Ford be able to exercise control over the quality of the product or service bearing Ford’s trademarks. If a disreputable business sells an inferior product or service that uses a Ford trademark, the poor quality of that product or service reflects on Ford. A person who is disappointed by that poor product or service will not take the time to determine whether Ford in fact authorized the use of its trademarks. They will, probably rightly, assume Ford to be the ultimate source of their disappointment and may transfer their loyalty to a competitor.

If a business not affiliated with Ford uses any Ford trademark, whether through the use of photographs, depictions or silhouettes, or any confusingly similar variation thereof, without Ford’s express, written consent, then that business is violating Federal and state trademarks laws. That business is also misleading the public into believing that such business is affiliated with Ford. It is also not sufficient for a business to state that it is not affiliated with Ford but continue to use Ford trademarks without permission. The business is still misappropriating the goodwill and reputation developed by Ford, and attempting to capitalize on or profit from Ford’s goodwill and reputation. Even with the best of intentions, unauthorized use of another company’s trademark is against the law and misleading to the general public.

Unauthorized and infringing uses of Ford’s trademarks come in many disguises. Examples of cases in which Ford has successfully pursued infringers include the following: (1) businesses that use Ford trademarks in their business name such as “John Doe’s Ford Repair;” (2) businesses that use Ford trademarks or trade dress in advertisements, including phone book advertisements; (3) businesses that place Ford trademarks or trade dress on products such as shirts, coffee mugs, key fobs, etc.; and (4) businesses that use Ford trademarks in their Internet domain names.

Ford genuinely hopes the public understands the need for Ford to police and enforce the proper use of its trademarks and trade dress. To protect the value of its trademarks, Ford is obligated to object to and pursue unauthorized uses of its trademarks and trade dress, even if the use of the trademark or trade dress does not appear offensive or objectionable. If Ford does not do so, it may be deemed under the trademark laws to have abandoned its trademark rights. We thank you for your understanding and support.

Gregory D. Phillips
Howard Phillips & Andersen
560 East 200 South, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
801-366-7707
801-366-7706 (Fax)

Gregory D. Phillips
Howard Phillips & Andersen
560 East 200 South, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
801-366-7707
801-366-7706 (Fax)[/color]

It is easy to try to play on people's sympathies, but had he not set out to illegally make money off of Ford's trademarks, this never would have happened. And as long as L.O.S.T. or any other group makes the focus of their logo's/products L.O.S.T. and not entirely a stolen trademarked design, they should never have to worry. Again, the smokescreen here is that this is about the website: it is not. The products that caused the problem do not even mention the website.

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:00 pm

Images of the stickers in questions can be seen here over at pirate...

Burchie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:59 pm

jerbacher wrote:

I guess we do have this across the bottom of our site:
Jeep® and Liberty are copyrighted and trademarked to Daimler-Chrysler Corporation.
LOST KJS.com is not associated with or endorsed by the Daimler-Chrysler Corp.
All other content is copyright LOST KJS© 2005

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:38 pm

jerbacher wrote:

this article just came out today about Ford suing a Ranger enthusiast site for copyright infringement.

Talk about shooting the hand that feeds you.

Inc · **Posted:** Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:44 pm

Yeah, but these guy were really trying to profit off of Ford intellectual property, a big no no. The stickers he made were a direct rip off.

clreinstein · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:25 am

InCommando wrote:

Don't get suckered in with a sob story about this being about the name of the site. This guy is an intellectual property theif selling counterfeit goods, just like the fake gucci stuff at the flea market.

Even his logo :

is stolen from:

Link to the faked goods:

http://64.233.169.132/search?sourcei...ecals_Ford.htm

If the link gets taken down, TRS is selling the tint strips for the top of the windshield that have a ford logo at each end and the truck name in the middle, with no mention of the website. They are selling " built ford tough" stickers. FORD lettering for tailgates. Ford emblems & badges. Stuff like that & none of this stuff even bothers to list the website, it is an out-and-out commercial venture.

Letter from Ford:

Thank you for your email. What people do not understand is that the Ranger Station was selling, without a license, counterfeit Ford® decals as depicted below:

( note: see link above)

These Ford trademarks are the intellectual property of Ford and Ford has authorized licensees who sell these decals and pay a licensing royalty to Ford. Think about it this way. Assume that you are a world-famous celebrity and people are counterfeits of your autograph or photos that were falsely autographed by you and making money off of your autograph and image. You would demand that these people stop selling your counterfeit autograph and image and that these people compensate you for misappropriating your image. Similarly, if someone were selling counterfeit images of Mickey Mouse, the Walt Disney Corporation would go after them. If someone were selling T-Shirts with counterfeits of the Dallas Cowboy logo, the Dallas Cowboys would go after them.

Ford has no complaints with Ranger enthusiasts or people who support the Ford brand. All Ford is doing is protecting its intellectual property, and protecting its licensees.

Here is an article that I wrote recently about why Ford protects its trademarks. I hope that it helps you understand Ford’s position. I also hope that you will post this email on your discussion boards that Ranger enthusiasts consider and understand Ford’s position.

The Ford trademarks and trade dress are some of the most recognizable in the world. Ford takes a tremendous amount of pride in this, and considers its trademarks to be among the most valuable assets. In an effort to both enhance and protect the value of the Ford name and image, Ford is constantly engaged in both promoting its trademarks and policing their use to ensure that persons and businesses authorized to do so use the trademarks in an acceptable manner.

Because of the cachet of the world-famous Ford name, thousands of independent businesses and people make a living from or pursue a hobby related to Ford products and services. Unfortunately, many of these businesses improperly attempt to affiliate themselves with Ford by using Ford trademarks and trade dress (for instance, the depictions or photographs of Ford’s distinctively shaped vehicles) in advertising their products and services. Ford appreciates the enthusiasm these people have for Ford products. Ford in no way wants to put these companies out of business, or prevent these businesses from advertising their products and services in a manner that is fair under Federal and state trademark laws. Ford cannot, however, allow these businesses to use Ford’s trademarks and trade dress in a way that creates the appearance that these businesses are affiliated with, sponsored by, or approved by Ford when they are not.

Ford’s trademarks and trade dress serve several important purposes. First, seeing the distinctive Ford logo on a product or business is an immediate indication that the product or business is authorized by Ford. Second, a product bearing a Ford trademark is an indication that the product is of high quality and has passed Ford’s strict quality control procedures and inspections. Third, placing a Ford trademark on a product indicates that Ford, or an authorized agent, is the source of the product, and that the product is genuine and not counterfeit. When the public purchases a product or service sold under a Ford trademark, the public has every right to expect that the product or service is the “real thing.” All of this, in turn, contributes to the value of Ford trademarks as legitimate and important business assets of the company.

At times Ford enthusiasts question why Ford is so adamant about policing its trademarks and preventing unauthorized uses or infringements of them. It is quite common for someone who is using a trademark without permission to say, “I’m giving Ford free advertising, so why does Ford care?” Ford cares because it is important that Ford be able to exercise control over the quality of the product or service bearing Ford’s trademarks. If a disreputable business sells an inferior product or service that uses a Ford trademark, the poor quality of that product or service reflects on Ford. A person who is disappointed by that poor product or service will not take the time to determine whether Ford in fact authorized the use of its trademarks. They will, probably rightly, assume Ford to be the ultimate source of their disappointment and may transfer their loyalty to a competitor.

If a business not affiliated with Ford uses any Ford trademark, whether through the use of photographs, depictions or silhouettes, or any confusingly similar variation thereof, without Ford’s express, written consent, then that business is violating Federal and state trademarks laws. That business is also misleading the public into believing that such business is affiliated with Ford. It is also not sufficient for a business to state that it is not affiliated with Ford but continue to use Ford trademarks without permission. The business is still misappropriating the goodwill and reputation developed by Ford, and attempting to capitalize on or profit from Ford’s goodwill and reputation. Even with the best of intentions, unauthorized use of another company’s trademark is against the law and misleading to the general public.

Unauthorized and infringing uses of Ford’s trademarks come in many disguises. Examples of cases in which Ford has successfully pursued infringers include the following: (1) businesses that use Ford trademarks in their business name such as “John Doe’s Ford Repair;” (2) businesses that use Ford trademarks or trade dress in advertisements, including phone book advertisements; (3) businesses that place Ford trademarks or trade dress on products such as shirts, coffee mugs, key fobs, etc.; and (4) businesses that use Ford trademarks in their Internet domain names.

Ford genuinely hopes the public understands the need for Ford to police and enforce the proper use of its trademarks and trade dress. To protect the value of its trademarks, Ford is obligated to object to and pursue unauthorized uses of its trademarks and trade dress, even if the use of the trademark or trade dress does not appear offensive or objectionable. If Ford does not do so, it may be deemed under the trademark laws to have abandoned its trademark rights. We thank you for your understanding and support.

Gregory D. Phillips
Howard Phillips & Andersen
560 East 200 South, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
801-366-7707
801-366-7706 (Fax)

Gregory D. Phillips
Howard Phillips & Andersen
560 East 200 South, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
801-366-7707
801-366-7706 (Fax)[/color]

It is easy to try to play on people's sympathies, but had he not set out to illegally make money off of Ford's trademarks, this never would have happened. And as long as L.O.S.T. or any other group makes the focus of their logo's/products L.O.S.T. and not entirely a stolen trademarked design, they should never have to worry. Again, the smokescreen here is that this is about the website: it is not. The products that caused the problem do not even mention the website.

Yeah I belonged to that site in the past and the club that became that site. The owner Jim Oaks started that site after a falling out with the original members of this [url[www.rrorc.com [/url] club. He got the boot from RRORC due to his issues with drunk driving on duty an Ohio state police officer and misrepresenting the club back in 2000-2002. He started TRS to try and steal members from RRORC and get even with them. It was a total pissing match. He wouldnt let old RRORC members join his forum and would bad mouth the club. As his membership in the site grew he found out he could make money off of Ford and its trademarks/intellectual property. Thats what got him in trouble so dont believe any of his stories about the evil Ford lawyers. His reference to the Ford engineers working with them on development of the FX4 ranger is bs. That all took place with RRORC. I cant wait till his site gets shut down, he has been a bad name in the Ford truck community for a while. It just doesnt appear that way on the surface since there is a small cult following on that site that think he's great.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:31 pm

If it's about the stickers, then why all the crap about the website? I say send in an accountant, take his sticker profits, and leave the rest alone.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:40 pm

Looks like things have been resolved.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/ ... hp?t=32874

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/ ... hp?t=32875

could LOST get sued??

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