Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Government/Legal, Ford
Ford goes after Ranger fan site for trademark violation
As if Ford didn't have enough bad PR today after a South Carolinian dealer shout his mouth off on the radio. Now comes word that fan site TheRangerStation.com (TRS) has been contacted by the automaker's lawyers and told to cough up $5,000 and the rights to the website's domain name as a result of copyright infringement. First of all, we're just as surprised as you that there's a fan site devoted to the Ford Ranger and that the Blue Oval even remembered it still sold the Ranger.
This isn't the first time that Ford has sought to protect its trademarked names. Earlier this year it sent out lawyers to confront enthusiast magazines, websites and even parts suppliers using the Mustang name. We're not sure how those cases ended, but we can understand the Blue Oval getting antsy over unapproved use of its most famous brand. But the Ranger? We suspect that TRS ran afoul when Ford's lawyers noticed the online store at which people can buy decals and apparels bearing the website's name.
Despite what you may think of Ford's actions here, TheRangerStation.com has little wiggle room. The 10-year-old website can either pay Ford the licensing fee and seek approval for all material on its website bearing the Ranger name, or it can erase all mention of the truck's moniker from the website, including the URL. Members are currently emailing Ford to petition against these two options, so we'll see what happens. Thanks to everyone for the tip!
[Source: TheRangerStation.com]
Email response from Ford lawyers
"Ford is not trying to shut down the entire website, just stop the
counterfeiting of its trademarks. If the Ranger Station wants a license it
needs to seek one from Ford.
But I don't think Ford will license some of the images, particularly the
naked woman straddling the Ford Blue Oval. See attached.
As you can see, the Ranger Station is not telling the entire story while
seeking your support.
I hope that you will post Ford's position on the various discussion boards.
Thanks,"
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Corey 3:34PM (12/10/2008)
This is ridiculous. Ford should be offering to pay the hosting fees for that site, not trying to take it out.
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pmalloy4391 4:23PM (12/10/2008)
Personally, I would turn the site from a fan site to a hate site, take down the offending material and make it a ford bashing site. They wanna try extortion, ok good we will go with bad press, hurt you where it counts.
Ive never liked ford, was willing to give ford another chance but now, f#&k ford
Robert 4:52PM (12/10/2008)
This is hardly extortion and the sums we're talking about here are small. If you don't defend your trademarks against commercialization, then they fall back into public domain. The site is selling stuff (ie - turning profit) off of Ford's brand, and that is a violation of TM law, plain and simple.
Ford is completely within their bounds to do this. Toyota did this recently as well with some fan-developed wallpaper for computers. But my guess is that again some bloggers who seem to screw up every real news story (so much for new media) probably got the facts wrong just as they did with the Black Mustang Club fiasco back in January - the explanation of which follows:
"Ford did not send the Black Mustang Club a “cease and desist” letter telling them that they could not use images of their own cars in their calendar. The decision not to allow the calendars to be printed was made by Cafe Press, because we had gotten in touch with them in the past about trademark infringements on products they sold.
The Black Mustang Club, and any other Ford enthusiast club, are free to take pictures of their own vehicles for use in calendars or other materials as long as they don’t use Ford trademarks in products that will be sold.
I think it is great that the Black Mustang Club, and any other enthusiast club, would take pictures of their own vehicles for use in calendars or other materials.
I’m looking forward to purchasing a copy to hang in the garage next to my Mustang (even if mine isn’t black)."
Randy 5:30PM (12/10/2008)
I can say from personal experience that Ford Motor Company is actually nice about these things.
Last year. I got busted for © and ® infringement for owning and launching a site which I clearly had violated their fargin' rights from use of a photo, to written copy.. ;) Anyway, I explained to their legal guy (which was not actually at Ford) the real deal on why I got the domains (beyond the scope to explain) and he called Ford up and they said "okay" to be just giving them the domains and squish the amount they were seeking.
Do note that I am a hard person to track down! I had private registrations and other things.... The only reason I new there was a problem (hell I don't check my US Mail for anything) was that the site along with 40 other sites that I own got shut down by the hosting company.. YEAH
I had them back up in hours... ;-)
Might I add. I absolutely DID violate the law and a ZERO COST agreement had been reached within an hour.
Don't ask what domain(s) because I can't tell without implicating myself further... i.e. The First Rule of Agreement is....................-
ckm 9:52PM (12/10/2008)
The real option is to call their bluff and tell the to 'go ahead, sue us'. The bad PR and lawyers fees will be far more than any gain or 'trademark protection' that Ford might get.
Beastage 3:37PM (12/10/2008)
Maybe the U.S Army Rangers should demand fees from Ford as well?
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Ligor 5:06PM (12/10/2008)
yeap
they should pay the US Army Rangers for tarnishing their name with a pick-up so horrible they decided to name after them
this is BS and the fed's should charge Ford an extra 1% on their loan just for waisting money like this
Max 3:38PM (12/10/2008)
Bad timing anyone?
I guess Mullaly was too busy in Washington hashing out the bailout bill to get this memo from his legal team.
I seem to recall Ford pulled this BS with all the Mustang vendors/sites too....but somehow they are still in existence. Hopefully TRS finds a way too.
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jrhmobile 3:40PM (12/10/2008)
This is an unfortunate byproduct of literally mortgaging the Ford name a while back.
To maintain the value of that intellectual property, Ford has to jealously defend its ownership and licensing of its trademarked names. So it's at least as likely that Ford's creditors are to blame for this as the folks in Dearborn are.
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Shipey 3:40PM (12/10/2008)
They have no ground for the Ranger name in that case... it doesn't say "The Ford Ranger" or even "Ranger Trucks". It doesn't use the Ranger's logo or likeness either. It could refer to anything. It's just lawyers looking for paycheck justification.
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Shawn 3:40PM (12/10/2008)
The issue is not the use of the name, the issue is when the site decides to make money on it by selling merchandise with the name on it.
You have to defend your patended name or you will lose it.
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d 5:00PM (12/10/2008)
Shawn, there is no such thing as "patented" name. It can be trademarked however. And the company only needs to defend to avoid confusion on the market. If you can prove that the fan site looked like it was officially supported by Ford, then you might have a case, otherwise Ford is just looking for trouble.
mmstowes 3:43PM (12/10/2008)
What's odd about the response from Ford's lawyers is this from LLN:
"According to TheRangerStation.com – a Ford Ranger fan web site – it has received a letter from a law firm representing Ford asking it to give up its domain name along with any products using a registered Ford name or logo. The letter also demands $5,000 for trademark infringements and threatens a law suit of $100,000 if demands are not met.
“I am certainly not pleased about this,” Scott Monty, head of Ford’s digital communications team, said. “There is nothing more important to us than our loyal fans, and the big picture seems to have escaped some people.”
However, after consulting with Ford’s legal department, Monty revealed “there may be more to the [situation] than meets the eye.” Monty didn’t go into any more detail, but it’s clear there are some underlying issues we’re not privy too."
That doesn't even make sense. Ford's making a huge stink over a trademark infringement and only issued a press release regarding ONE forum? That's not even worth the legal department or press department's time. If this were truly the case, I would've expected a LOOOOONG list of sites selling "trademark infringing" product that Ford wants legal action against, not a single site.
My spider senses are tingling and not just because I'm feeling frisky...
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Polly Prissy Pants 3:55PM (12/10/2008)
"However, after consulting with Ford’s legal department, Monty revealed “there may be more to the [situation] than meets the eye.” Monty didn’t go into any more detail, but it’s clear there are some underlying issues we’re not privy too.""
Yea, like the issue of "Hey Monty, shut your pie hole and get in line or you'll be out of a job"
Regardless, I imagine the damage Ford's lawyers cause will far surpass any $5000 licensing fee.
MajorGeek 3:57PM (12/10/2008)
Rename it something like "cheaplybuiltcrappytrucks.com" and dns direct people there until Ford takes you to court to get the name. That could take years, even if you dont get a lawyer. Since this will most likely be over, ro blow over within months, thats all the time you need anyhow. Assuming there is nothing else to this, I would pay them back this way. If there is nothing else to the story, as someone who is a member on MANY auto websites with the name in it, Ford should remember that a guy like me, who really wants a Raptor, WILL go somewhere else to buy their vehicle.
Finally, anyone from Ford who reads this, heres a final thought; fire most of your lawyers, they are a drain on your company in more ways then one.
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Cellien 3:59PM (12/10/2008)
Man, I used to be a member of that forum about 6 years ago. I'm currently a member of Rangerpowersports.com (RPS) and to my knowledge, they haven't been contacted about infringement.
I love Ford, but this is outrageous. Their site has been online for over 10 years and it's just now being targeted. These are LOYAL fans, and I'm one of them. What a way to piss off the people that promote your products on a daily basis. Get it sorted Ford, and make sure the outcome is good for TRS.
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Jason 4:01PM (12/10/2008)
If TRS had anything on their site violating Ford trademarks, it looks as if they've removed it. Looking in their 'store' I couldn't find any decals or graphics of a naked woman straddling the Blue Oval as claimed in the email response by Ford lawyers, nor could I find any other merchandise displaying any trademarked logos.
FWIW, I'm actually registered on that site. My FIL owns an '08 Ranger and the site is actually a good source of info, probably the best source of info for them on the web. I'm sure there are fan sites for the Accord and Camry too...
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eb110americana 4:06PM (12/10/2008)
I like a lot of the new moves Ford has been making. They've really been focusing their money where it matters most by upgrading interiors, having some of the most fuel efficient new cars (like the new Fusion and Escape) and revising vehicles often to keep them fresh and correct any issues the customer may have. They also offer some of the most unique features, like SYNC, capless fuel filler, and many of the options on the F-150 such as tailgate step, dashboard computer with cargo tracking, integrated tow controller, etc.
However, this story makes me question if Ford has any idea whatsoever about what they're doing. It would be one thing if the sites were registering "www.fordranger.com", claiming to be Ford, or were selling knock off parts--but this is not the case. Ford! You idi0ts! You don't attack and sue your fans for advertising and popularizing their fondness for your vehicles! We know you need money, but this is NOT the way to get it. What's next? Will you lease the "FORD" emblems on all your cars and come pry them off when a payment lapses or the vehicle is "misrepresented" when someone fails to wash it? Please Ford, get a clue.
You're already in the spotlight of harsh criticism due to poor financial status and asking the taxpayers for potential billions in loans, the last thing you should ever be doing is driving away those of your remaining fans loyal enough to put the time and effort into running a website, creating unique merchandise, holding meets, and supporting the culture for cars YOU are trying to sell. These are UNIQUE items separate from any service or parts that Ford provides, you did not create them Ford, and you have no right to them simply because they chose your product (lucky for you) as the token of their affection.
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ack154 4:07PM (12/10/2008)
I guess when you're asking for money from the government (though Ford not as much as the other 1.5), you need to show you're willing to make money any way you can.
Just absurd though. Reminds me a tiny bit of the RIAA suing people for downloading music. Just another great move to alienate your (potential) customers instead of embracing them.
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imoore 4:28PM (12/10/2008)
Ford suing over the use of Ranger? Come on. How can they do that, unless they go after everyone using the Ranger name, especially if it's trademarked (like Army Rangers, Ranger Boats, pro wrestler Ranger Ross, to name a few). I hope the Ranger website trademarked the name.
As for harassing everyone using the Mustang name, perhaps Ford forgot that it was banned from using the name in Germany; the Mustang is sold there as the T5.
And this foolishness is coming from the same company that forgot to renew the ownership of the names Futura and GT-40, and was sued when it tried to use them and discovered that someone else snapped them up (Pep Boys owns Futura, and Safir Spares owns GT-40). Genius.
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