[QUOTE]Originally posted by cthree
[B]
Please refrain from saying anything that AHM might take as detrimental to their business while we get to the bottom of this. I'd rather try to effect the necessary changes while remaining "on-the-air".

 

Ignore my comments about S2KCA.com, reports are it's working, I think I'm just banned.

 

Their loss.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry WY Silver/Black '01
[B]Eric, this is exactly the way to go.

We, the purchasers or potential purchasers of Honda's product, want and need a place to discuss these cars.

 

Erik, good move in removing the thread. I think it would have caused too many problems at this point. If things go bad with Honda, then you can pull a Taubman sucks campaign.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
[B]cthree

I am curious about something.

 

After reading the letter, I think that it is pretty clear that Honda is trying to use their trademark rights as a tool to intimidate you. Obviously, typing the word S2000 and showing "distinctive images" (pictures to you and me) has to be allowed. Otherwise nobody would ever be able to write about or show pictures of any products. You seem to have a very clear understanding of the correct questions to ask. Unfortunately, they have decided to play the lawyer game instead of discussing it with you like decent human beings, so I think that it is probably in the best interest of the site to get in contact with a lawyer. I would first suggest talking with the operators of other Honda enthusiast sites to see if they have discussed a similar situation with a lawyer. You may be lucky enough to find that they have already done business with a lawyer who will not have to put in as much time because he has already gone this route once. Or, perhaps several sites can go in together if they have all received similar letters at the same time. As for the "False Impression That You Are Associated With American Honda", all I can say is that seems to be more of the same intimidation. Only a person that does not make any effort to look at the site could think that.

Most importantly, I'd watch out for the sentence where they state "American Honda demands that you provide to us in written assurances within ten (10) days that you will cease all of these violations." They may be planning on taking a court action if you have not responded to them by the end of this period. A lawyer will have a better idea of what they are up to and can fire off a letter to them stating that he and the site operators need more time to review the situation if more time is needed.

 

Me too.

While I am still a "guest" with no intention of becoming a member, I will be more than willing to donate to the cause. If you need that payment in the form of a membership, so be it. If you are willing to just accept a cash donation, I will be more than happy to help out.

 

cthree

I did some checking - you aren't banned at the s2kca website - FYI.

Also, why people are so shocked that AHM has the right to defend its trademarks is pretty strange to me. They invested the money in creating these things and someone else is profiting from it - pretty cut and dry, I think.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by meat
[B]why people are so shocked that AHM has the right to defend its trademarks is pretty strange to me.

 

Here is a post from Greg Stevens of S2KCA:

I was alerted by a couple of people that Honda has been sending out cease and desist letters to several S2000-related companies and websites referring to their illegal use of logos and trademarks owned by American Honda.

We have received NO SUCH LETTER.

This is because our license agreement is in process...!

So, no worries about that...


This also brings up an important thing that I would like to remind everyone of.

We do not support vendors or have sponors who gray or black market items into the US

-and-

We do not allow sponsors who use the trademarked property of American Honda without the express, written permission of American Honda.

Any questions, please post...but I wanted to clarify that. I believe we will have our license agreement shortly, which has been a goal of mine for quite some time. Looks like Honda is making some moves in that direction, so stay tuned! .


In my opinion, Honda has to protect their trademarks. If they don't they may go the same route as "refrigerator" and "aspirin", both of which at one time were trade names. Xerox and Sanka have had to change how they refer to their products, and the Cobra kit car manufacturers have had a mess on their hands over the past several years. I'm guessing that the legal guys at HTA are covering their butts by putting this stuff in legalese, rather than just talking to us. I'm sure that Honda wants to have a good relationship with us, and we (at least the majority of us) want the same.

Rather than attempting to do the least amount possible to satisfy their request as suggested by some, I believe that we should look at this as an opportunity to be a better organization with a healthy relationship with a very desirable would-be sponsor. There is no doubt that we are out of line on a few issues, and we've finally been called on it.

Erik: although I'm not an attorney or associated with Honda in any way, I too am willing to help if you need any.