URGENT! FORDS BEING GAY...

[dieselmac99]

Attn to all PSD'ers,

I am a member of several Ford forums, one of them being therangerstation.com

Anyway, I received this email from a mod this morning...

"Dear Member,

I appologize for this email. I don't normally email the members but this is an emergency.

Today, (December 9, 2008) I received a letter from the law offices of Howard, Phillips & Andersen that represent the Ford Motor Company. Ford is forcing us to surrender the name 'therangerstation.com' to them and stop using it. Ford states that using the name 'Ranger' when used in reference to the Ford Ranger is a trademark violation. In addition they are wanting me to pay them $5,000.

As you may know, The Ranger Station has been around for the past 10 years and has been a valuable resource to Ranger enthusiasts.

If Ford does this to us, where will they stop?

I have 10-days to surrender the name and pay them $5,000. I'm asking that you contact Ford online and ask them to reconsider making us change our name and prohibiting us from using the word 'Ranger'.

You can contact them at:

https://secure.ford.com/footer/conta...=PublicAffairs

a sample of what one of the members wrote is:

"To whom it may concern:

I am writing concerning your recent legal attacks on various "fan" websites for vehicles such as the Mustang and Ranger. I am insulted by this careless misuse of our legal system and am reconsidering any further vehicle purchases from your company until you cease and desist from any further legal action concerning this subject. I have been a Ford owner for many years and I had hoped to stay that way. These attacks are morally wrong since they are geared towards your customers, and do not instill the least bit of confidence in your brand. For the sake of your business, I ask you to please reconsider immediately.

Thank you."

Thank you for your support and I applogize for this email.

Jim Oaks
TheRangerStation.com"

This is ridiculous. It is one of the few forums that aren't polluted by idiots. Tell me what you guys think, and if you feel compelled to write to ford, I thank you.

Go PSD!

[szyd]

Is this SPAM?

[67ModStang]

Nothing new...this has been going on for years. They hit all the Mustang stores and sites pretty hard a couple years ago but it didn't seem to really affect them too much. I think there were a few name changes and some disclaimers added to webpages.

[dieselmac99]

no its not spam. real deal. it just is irritating that they would do this.

[Lloyds71Mav]

Had the same issue with the black mustang club and Lisa Barrett the one that started the site talked to the people at ford and worked it out and I don't think it cost anything it was some leagal issue that ford had to have them sign a waiver of some type and all was well.

[cobraracing]

I wonder why as the forums promote the Brands and allow members to network among themselves
I know the Mustang/Shelby forums really promote the products and have created a whole fraternity of friends.
I might not have bought the Shelby if it wasn't for all the hype on the Team Shelby forums
I bleed Ford blue so the truck was a no brainer

[bigwhite7.3stroker]

Thats BS they should think of these forums as free advertising and help in promoting there product

[Firemanbill]

Volkswagen did this a few years back too. I was President of our local VW club the "Penisula Volkswagen Club" We just about had to change our name or pay VW $10k for the rights to use that name. They finally backed off but it spoiled the experience for a lot of folks, including me. I left the club along with a lot of other folks.

I could see their point though. Our 30 member club and our 30 to 40 year old cars really presented a threat to the brand name... (sarcasm)

[Bush_Master]

One would think that they should be worried about re-structuring their company rather than frivolous complaints as such. I guess your 5K will help keep from going bankrupt..lol
Good Luck with your site...

[Ryan Rønning]

Seems like they would ask for more then a lousy $5000 if they were serious!