Almost every Mustang vendor or forum site I've visited since the first lawsuit was threatened has added that tag line.

Curiously I went through some domain auctions last night and they have some very prominent Mustang names available, including FordMustangWorld.Com -- just registering that would earn you a nice lawsuit.

 

The house I'm at right now is in OH. Not on rennlist, the 944 is amazing...it still corners better than 80% of new cars with no issues. You might get a PM from me sooner or later though.

 

It's ridiculous to go after the people who have supported your business. Sites like this and companies like Mustang Unlimited have kept the "spirit" of the Mustang alive even during the slow years. Without these tools, there's NO way that the new Mustang would have been such a success. IMO Ford has waited too long. Had they done this 40 years ago it would be one thing but all the sites and businesses have helped Ford sell new cars and that's really the goal, to sell your product. They could have been reasonable and offered there trademark to all these companies for say $1000.00 or something like that. They would have made millions, nobody would really make a BIG deal out of it but to make these businesses pay $10,000.00 AND change their name is crazy. I don't know who the bonehead is who thought this to be a good idea but he definitely needs a demotion to floor sweeping or something without decision making as a prerequisite (sp???).

 

There is the reverse argument. Why didn't the businesses contact Ford and get permission to use the trademarked names? I can definitely see both sides of the argument. Ford lost its Futura name because they didn't protect it. Now its a crappy tire at pep turds. Do you want Mustang to follow suit....?

 

Ford has a duty to protect its trademarks. Some people have been using the Mustang name in their business for 20+ years. Why didn't Ford contact them earlier? If you don't protect it, you lose your right to make a claim against it.

(I've heard that people did have permission to use the name but now Ford is rescinding it with just a legal letter threatening legal action, but am not sure how true this is).

 

yes, i agree. i didn't read anyfarther than this, but the now VW made Pheaton was origionally the FORD Phaeton.



sorry for the large picture, but i just wanted to show what the Phaeton really looks like. they lost the name, not as big a loss as if they were to loos the mustang name. imagine, they don't protect their name and another company decides to put out a mustang, but than again, the stangs sales are coming back up and i don't see them ending production anytime soon. the biggest thing beyone the fact that these companies using the ford name is most people who own an older ford or another car made by ford, you will most likely buy another ford. if they do this their profit (or lack thereof) will be gone as all of those faithful ford customers will surely disown the company for it's actions. they don't realize this and probably won't until it is too late.