What VWOA is doing is picking on the little guy(Me) and They will "F" everything
Up for themselves.Un!Oh! I call myself vwmark!I'll have to change that!:-(

Steve Schwenk wrote:

> At some point, you reach the absurd in trying to
> protect your "rights."  Going after someone who made a
> handful of enthusiast hats at little or no profit
> crosses the line and is not only absurd, I find it
> bizzare. I suspect an overzealous young know-nothing
> associate attorney at a big firm...out of control but
> ringing up the bills!  VWOA would never sue over this
> if it was brought to the attention of senior
> management, IMO.  It's stupid and counterproductive.
> But it is a good way to rack up billable hours.
>
> Wish they would pick on me.  I have no fear in being
> sued over something like this.  (course, i can defend
> myself easily and cheaply!)
> steve
>
> Chris Stann wrote:
> >
> > The 'free advertising' argument has been argued and lost in many court
> > rooms.  While I agree with you, VW has every legal right to do what they are
> > doing.  We, or our fore-fathers, gave them that right by passing laws to
> > make this possible.
> >
> > So, no aftermarket VW-logo mudflaps for me.  VWoA, are you going to sell
> > 'gin-u-wine' VW mudflaps for my '65 Microbus any time soon?  No?  Cool
> > Vintage VW t-shirts? No?  Chrome VW-hubcaps? No?  GET ON IT!
> >
> > Chris.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> > Of Michael Townsend
> > Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 2:35 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: List Sticker and Hat lawsuit
> >
> > Wow,
> >
> > Help my ignorance here:  I realize that VW has one of the most recognized
> > and valuable brandnames and trademarks (which they don't change every 4
> > years like the Japanese cars) and they must protect it and use it.
> > However, one look at their marketing style (have you seen their web site
> > lately?) shows that they are trying to sell the VW culture, and not just
> > cars.  It seems to me that items like T-shirts, hats, and stickers are FREE
> > ADVERTISING, and the excitement of the VW clubs and shows also promote the
> > positive, happy VW culture that they want people to buy into.  It seems
> > like their IMHO overzealous attention to trademark protection is going to
> > do them more harm than good.
> >
> > So, VW, since you are listening to this list:  We want the TDI in the
> > Eurovan, the Passats (including wagons and 4motions), and the Jetta wagons
> > to down here in the USA.  If you make the new microbus, offer us the TDI.
> > In addition, when the cabrio is replaced by the Beetle cabrio, guess what,
> > some people might actually want a TDI in it!  While you are at it, you
> > could improve your customer service and give us a real bumper-to-bumper
> > warranty.  Oh yeah, you remember those Vanagon head gaskets? . . . . . .
> >
> > :-)
> >
> > Michael Townsend
> > 90 Carat
> >
> > >
> > > I am preparing to write a substantial (for me) check to VWOA to settle
> > > potential copywrite infringement for use of the VW in a circle in hats I
> > made
> > > for resale. This is to avoid federal prosecution and threatened lawsuit
> > from
> > > a company acting on behalf of VW. It appears this company monitors this
> > and
> > > other lists for information in the use of their designs. The most recent
> > > issue of Hot VWs and VW Trends discusses this issue in editorials.
> > >
> > > . . .
> > >
> > > They are out there and they are listening. Wish they listened to the
> > needs of
> > > their car owners with the same diligence!
> > > Lynn Sheeley
> > > 720 Valleydale Rd.
> > > Knoxville, Tn 37923
> > > Vanagon List Hat source