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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 15
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Porsche = trademark control freak!
First, this is not a technical issue; it's a vent. Our very beloved car manufacturer has just sent guidelines to all PCA regions on how its trademarks and logos are to be used. 12 VOLUMES WORTH!!! (You just know its going to be a bad day when 12 volumes are needed to explain a few images!) I just returned from a PCA region board meeting where this was announced and reviewed, and in short: we're hot! From the looks of it, you can kiss your favorite auto-X T-shirts goodbye! Oh, and you better clean up your websites while you're at it...
I suggest you check with your own regions on this one... |
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10-25-2001, 11:03 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 15
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Perhaps I should explain a few more things...
One of the requirements is for the regions to send ONE EACH of anything and everything that we have in our Goodie Stores with a Porsche name, logo, or trademark image (the badge for example) to PCNA for their review. They have 10 days to look at it, then get back to you with their answer. No guarantees that they'll accept it. In the future, you will need to get their permission before you do anything with ANYTHING that even looks like their images... Sheesh. Does the word "anal" come to mind here?! 
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10-25-2001, 11:09 PM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Finland
Posts: 1,214
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10-25-2001, 11:13 PM
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I know that dealing with copyright policies is a pain. The problem, from the copyright / trademark owner's point of view, is that if a presedence is set whereby they knowingly allow someone to use their trademarks and copyrights (such as PCA)without approval, they can't go after those who abuse the privelage for their own profit. In other words, I'm sure Porsche appreciates and supports PCA, since it is in their best interest, but they have to protect themselves against others who may want to use the Porsche trademark for their own profit. Of course, 12 VOLUMES?? A few pages should do the trick. But then its that anal attitude that results in the cars we love so much.
------------------ Ilan Shanon 87 911 white Targa 98 H.D. Roadking 99 H.D. Springer Softail 00 Jeep TJ Sport |
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10-26-2001, 03:45 AM
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 329
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It's best for a company to vigoriusly protect they copyrights and trademarks. Just ask carroll shelby what happens when you don't.
------------------ Craig 73T in many pieces |
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10-26-2001, 01:55 PM
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Why don't they go after other car manufacturers that copy the shapes of their cars? I think they did it years ago with the Mazda but haven't heard of it happening since. Seems that it is easier to go after the little guy's T-shirt design than a competitors car design. Or perhaps the new shape is so common and nondescript now that they would have to sue every Japanese manufacturer in business.
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10-26-2001, 05:05 PM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 4,572
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Trademarks are worth a lot of money to a company, especially one associated with a prestige product. Just ask Harley-Davidson if a TM is worth fighting for.
------------------ '81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber") Member: SCWDP Canada West Region PCA The Blue Bomber's Website "If it ain't broke...we'll help you fix it 'til it is!" |
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10-26-2001, 05:09 PM
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: simi valley, ca, usa
Posts: 533
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OK, I agree that PCNA needs to protect their interests, and perhaps the 'check everything out' method is the best legal avenue.
How 'bout they keep one of EVERYTHING sent to them for approval and pick up the tab for preservation and display of every item, in perpetuity (sp)? It could be one very cool museum. |
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10-26-2001, 06:30 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 3,686
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You ought to see some of the crap that's out there! Someone was selling Porsche shirts in eBay, with the logo. One problem: the horse on the shield was the Ferrari prancing horse! And when called on it, the seller said "Ah, what's the diff?" I'll bet stuff like that gets them riled up real quick...
Emanuel |
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10-27-2001, 02:33 AM
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Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, USA
Posts: 4,499
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I'm on Porsche's side in this. Some of the people who failed to protect their trademarks as assiduously are the makers of bandaids, kleenex, aspirin and machines that make xeroxes.
Stephan |
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10-27-2001, 09:24 AM
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: simi valley, ca, usa
Posts: 533
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Ah, but Stephan, wouldn't we all like to be selling a product that the world knows mainly by the brand name? May I have a Kleen...uh, facial tissue? Quick, I need a Band-Ai...uh, sheer strip.
I don't think Porsche as an automobile brand will ever be confused with Ford (maybe a Jag could be confused for a Ford, but that's another story). I do believe Porsche is going overboard by not approaching their crusade with a bit of common sense. Obviously I don't condone outright fraud such as attaching the Porsche name to replacement parts in an effort to sell them as 'of original Porsche manufacture'. Other than that, I don't see that Porsche is losing anything substantial at all. In fact I truly believe Porsche realizes greater profits, in the long term, by the displaying & distribution of their brand, authorized or not. Just my $.02 |
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10-27-2001, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 246
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Does that mean that I can't use my...
 anymore? 
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10-27-2001, 02:29 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: jamestown,nc
Posts: 218
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get a porsche crest tattoo(on your butt)and take a pic. and send it to them and tell them where they can shove it
 just a thought
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10-27-2001, 05:08 PM
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1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 3.2 L 
2020 BMW X3M competition
1979 Porsche 911SC
1996 Porsche 993 C4S
2003 BMW e39 M5
2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S
