So, I jus took a look at this months Mustang monthly and read an article from one of the owners of Mustangs Unlimited. In short they are being forced to change their name because Ford doesn't want any company, corporation, or otherwise using the Mustang/Ford/Any-other-name-they-use in their titles. So, what does this mean to us? In short, keep an eye out for our favorite companies to change their names like MU has to(Restomod "something-or-other" as Mr. Bramlett puts it). I just hope they get off their binge before they make it to forums like ours.

Personally, I think this is complete and utter crap. These guys have been working their butts off to sell mods, restoration, and other items for people like us to maintain our fords for 30+ years. Why is it, now, a big deal that they are using the ford and mustang likeness? Ford SAYS they are hurting their image. How? As far as I'm concerned, I see MU and other sites selling items at a relatively inexpensive price so I can get my Mustang where she should be, perfect. Honestly, if it weren't for those guys, I don't even think I would have gotten one, I would have just gotten something I could work on. Granted, Ford isn't getting money from us classic car guys, but they're selling more cars because they can be easily modded for relatively cheap by these producers. Okay, I'm done with my rant before I give myself a anurrism(spelling?)... Man this pisses me off!

 

This has been going on for a few months now. I know many of us with Mustang-named sites are watching very carefully.

The biggest issue (according to my trademark attorney) is that you have to protect your trademarks or lose them. Many, many years went by before Ford decided to pursue this, so it will be very interesting if it goes to court to see if it's upheld or not.

 

I hope they dont go after Dallas Mustang! This also makes me a little mad too, but I've also heard Shelby is/was thinking about doing the same thing, apparently Carrol Shelby isn't in the greatest of health (he wasnt at SAAC this year and he's always there) due to his unstable health I think he is going to let the shelby stuff slide...for now atleast.

 

I can understand Shelby doing it but for Ford to do this is rediculous IMO. Ford is now messing with the people that they need the most during this point of crisis in the company. So why mess with them? The people who love their Fords enough that they are going on to restore and modify them are the ones that they have to appreciate. This is just a bad idea and contributes much to the reason that a Mustang is the only car i would EVER buy from Ford. Is this what they think they need to put their energy towards in order to get back into profitability? Howcome BMW, Porsche, and Toyota (3 most profitable auto companies in the world) haven't done this then? Maybe Ford should start putting some effort towards making good cars and then they can take care of this.

[/end rant]

 

Heh, Porsche did this years ago, and they went after both forum sites like this, as well as personal sites. What's more, since Porsche uses numbers to designate their cars instead of names (911 vs. Mustang), some of the websites they went after wouldn't be obviously linked to Porsche at all unless one knew a bit about the cars to begin with (for example 968.net, which still exists). The Porsche forum that is IMO the best used to be at porschelist.com, but they have had to change their name to rennlist.com to appease Porsche North America.

I agree that this kind of behaviour is absurd. All of these auto manufacturers should be 100% behind the fans of their older cars and classics. So much of the pedigree of the cars currently being made comes from the history of the cars before them. The current Mustang is a pretty significant example of this, as is the new Ford GT, and the fact that Porsche has been making a 911 since 1963.

Just my 2¢

 

I wasn't aware that Porsche did it. We have an '89 944 and it just occurred to me that I don't see a whole ton of Porsche mags w/ the exception of Christophorus and that other Performance one. My question is though, why would they try to get the aftermarket parts places? Ford isn't making any classic mustang resto parts so Mustangs Unlimited isn't even competition. What exactly are they fighting here??

Edit: Epic, I just realized that we both have a '67 Stang, an '89 Porsche, and I have a 2nd house in Scottsdale. That's kinda creepy

 

Harley Davidson has done the same thing.

 

My 65 mustang was so disgusted with ford's attitude that when going along it decided that it would make a statement by drop the F of the front of the hood so I now own a Ord Mustang!!!

 

^ hahhahahahaha

 

Xerox did this years ago too. The fear is that they will lose control of their trademark, just as "aspirin" did around the turn of the century. But, I think Ford may have a problem with the term Mustang. It was used in the language before Ford used it. However, I agree that the people who have that in their names should be the last people that Ford alienates.