TheRangerStation.com in legal trouble with Ford...

[Peloton25]

I know the legal arguments for both sides on issues like this, but it just seems like common sense should prevail for companies to keep them from going after their own enthusiast base.

The Ranger Station Attacked By Ford‏

Dear Member,

I apologize 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/conta...=PublicAffairs

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 apologize for this email.

Jim Oaks
TheRangerStation.com

So anyway, I doubt it will do much good but I will be contacting them to express my displeasure with their action agains TRS.com. Please do the same.

>8^)
ER

[thisdude_05]

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Z63R]

You know I'd gladly join this fight, but I DO want to purchase Ford vehicles in the future, regardless of the matter at hand. Srsly.

Having said that, I think it reprehensible of BOTH the Law Firm and Ford Motor Company.

Someone somewhere inside FoMoCo MUST have some common sense that I hope will prevail...

[Z63R]

Then again, it pays (pardon the pun) to have the foresight NOT to use an automotive model name in these situations... take for example, FocalJet. I understand that Our Fearless Leader, Our Benevolent Dictator, one certain Mr. Meyers, wanted to use the word, "Focus" but had the sense to do the necessary research on the matter of trademark issues.

In addition, I hereby notify the general [FJ] population that the phrase "needz moar poke" is trademarked and that I will bring suit against anyone that uses it when commenting on the fit of the wheels and tires on another member's ride.


NOT.

[venomrogue]

I truely hope that Ford does not go down the path Monster has taken, sueing everyone/thing with any certain name in it....

[Focusfre4k]

cool so they should take out focusfanatics as well!

hehehehhe

[BUR_ZX3]

There are times when having a registered trademark come in handy.

[Davor]

****** Ford. I am going to take all the badges of my "Ford Focus" and call it "what-cha-ma-call-it ASBO". When will this stop?

[Z63R]

TheRangerStation.com in legal trouble with Ford...

cool so they should take out focusfanatics as well!

That may very well be the most useful thing you've ever posted here...

Well done! sir...

[Redlight]

cool so they should take out focusfanatics as well!

hehehehhe

Where will they go then?

dave.

[biscuitninja]

Change the name and backcharge Ford for focing the issue. A small issue of 50k should be sufficient.

-bix

[Focusfre4k]

Where will they go then?

dave.

yea.....good point...****! lol

[Z63R]

Where will they go then?

Oooh, good point. We don't want the likes o' half of 'em...


They be walkin' the plank, they should.





ANYHOO...

Back at The Ranger Station...

[Thameth]

So sad that Ford is letting its legal team do this. At this time they should be embracing their fan base and building it up to make it larger. Not take it out, piss off a bunch of people and possibly lose sales over something so stupid.

I know most of the automotive companies have done something like this in the past but right now is the WORST possible time to be shooting down your fans.....

[Z63R]

So sad that Ford is letting its legal team do this.

I agree, but, simply put, someone's realizing income from the use of trademarked names... and therein lies the beef.

If there could be devised some sort of equitable distribution of said funds... if a reg'd trademark name is being used, a percentage should go to Ford.

[USAF-FOCUS DTEC]

So why couldnt Ford be like "change your name or else!.. or we'll charge you 5k and still make you change it"? the alternative/ open threat should've been given first i think...all American car sales are going under and they think Forcing fans a mere sum of 5k (to them) is gonna pull the company out? it baffles me. Their fans enjoying there automobiles but i do understand the "Trademark violation" though...

[Thameth]

Simply put, someone's realizing income from the use of trademarked names... therein lies the beef.

If there could be some sort of equitable distribution of said funds... if reg'd trademark name is being used, a percentage should go to Ford.

Its ridiculous, the website has been around for 10 years! If they wanted to do this they should have done it 8-9 years ago! For them to do this now is just terrible PR and pushing away Ford fans, basically a big FU for liking our product.

Its not like the name says TheFORDRangerStation.com. Hopefully this is some young idoit at Ford's lawyers office who did something without approval from Ford and it will be fixed soon.

[Z63R]

Sadly, you're right!

[focaljet-1]

Something about this doesn't sound right to me.

[Z63R]

Pls 'splain...