I think it's absolutely retarded. This is exactly the kind of behavior that's driving them straight down the crapper. I recieved this email and thought I would post it on here.
Dear Member,
I appologize for this email. I don't normally email the members but this is an emergency.
Today, (December 9, 2008) I received a letter from the law offices of Howard, Phillips & Andersen that represent the Ford Motor Company. Ford is forcing us to surrender the name 'therangerstation.com' to them and stop using it. Ford states that using the name 'Ranger' when used in reference to the Ford Ranger is a trademark violation. In addition they are wanting me to pay them $5,000.
As you may know, The Ranger Station has been around for the past 10 years and has been a valuable resource to Ranger enthusiasts.
If Ford does this to us, where will they stop?
I have 10-days to surrender the name and pay them $5,000. I'm asking that you contact Ford online and ask them to reconsider making us change our name and prohibiting us from using the word 'Ranger'.
You can contact them at: https://secure.ford.com/footer/contact- ... licAffairs
a sample of what one of the members wrote is:
"To whom it may concern:
I am writing concerning your recent legal attacks on various "fan" websites for vehicles such as the Mustang and Ranger. I am insulted by this careless misuse of our legal system and am reconsidering any further vehicle purchases from your company until you cease and desist from any further legal action concerning this subject. I have been a Ford owner for many years and I had hoped to stay that way. These attacks are morally wrong since they are geared towards your customers, and do not instill the least bit of confidence in your brand. For the sake of your business, I ask you to please reconsider immediately.
Thank you."
Thank you for your support and I applogize for this email.
Jim Oaks
TheRangerStation.com
Like I said, if you guys would just send them an email (ford owner or not) telling them how ridiculous their actions are I would REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!
It is absolutely retarded!
I mean these sites are full of people that love their Fords and exactly why the sites exist... I've said it many times "Fords are great for Ford people, but I'm not one of them, so they don't like me."... Now it seems that the Ford company itself doesn't like the Ford people that the products themselves are so good to.
Hey Ford (in the off chance that you see this post in this thread)... You're idiots to think that you should be driving away what little supporters you have in this economy... Oh and by the way, My fathers side is all Ford, but if this is how you want to be, I suppose I could tell all of them what idiotic behavior your doing and push them towards a different automaker.
And for your argument... Yes they would all listen to me as I used to be a car dealer and still deal day to day with the automotive aftermarket (I've just always told them to buy what they like from the American car companies).
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, that would be approximately 10 families... all with a minimum of 2 cars that they lease or buy every 3 years... So in one 3 year time frame you're looking at the loss of over 20 sales... That's a little chunk right there, but now figure in their friends and their family that are Ford enthusiasts that ask "Why'd you get something else?" and you lose half of them... Now figure how many other families that will feel the same way...
Can you say "Bye Bye Ford, the Mustang will be missed".
I am simply appalled and amazed at the audacity Ford Motor Co has in going after fan websites such as http://www.therangerstation.com
Your company as a whole should be ashamed by this action. The above mentioned website is run by Ford supports, owners and fans yet you want to close is down and require a $5,000 settlement.
Again I am shocked and appalled. Whoever made that decision should be fired!
Hello and 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 [email protected]. To request a license to produce or sell branded merchandise bearing Ford's trademarks, contact [email protected].
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.
I know it is after the fact Justin, but I just sent them an email. I know you are gonna be allowed to keep the name, but I told them what I thought anyway.
Tim
"The opinions expressed in the preceding post are purely an opinion and not meant to be used as a reference. So if you screw something up because of something I said I will not and can not be held responsible". Thank you for understanding.
Tim Strong http://upscaleaudiodesigns.webs.com/
Email: [email protected]
X-box Live Gamertag:quad drpr
