Came across this while checking out a board for my ZX3 and found it interesting since we have a Members HHR Calendar available. I know GDZHHR said he has worked around copyright laws alot so wonder what his take is on this. Is Ford pushing their right?:
BMC=Black Mustang Club

"BMC 2008 Calendar NOT Available Due to Ford Motor Company

I got some more info from the folks at cafepress and according to them, a law firm representing Ford contacted them saying that our calendar pics (and our club's event logos - anything with one of our cars in it) infringes on Ford's trademarks which include the use of images of THEIR vehicles. Also, Ford claims that all the images, logos and designs OUR graphics team made for the BMC events using Danni are theirs as well. Funny, I thought Danni's title had my name on it ... and I thought you guys owned your cars ... and, well ... I'm not even going to get into how wrong and unfair I feel this whole thing is as I'd be typing for hours, but I wholeheartedly echo everything you guys have been saying all afternoon. I'm not letting this go un-addressed and I'll keep you guys posted as I get to work on this.

I'm sorry, but at this point we will not be producing the 2008 BMC Calendar, featuring our 2007 Members of the Month, solely due to Ford Motor Company's claim that THEY own all rights to the photos YOU take of YOUR car. I hope to resolve this soon, and be able to provide the calendar and other BMC merchandise that you guys want and deserve! This thread will remain open for you to comment however you wish, and I'll update it as needed.

Thanks for all your support of the BMC!!"

quote from here: http://www.bmcforums.com/showpost.ph...8&postcount=42

 

that's disgusting.
can I take a picture of a tree I planted out back? or do I need permission from Home Depot?

I have a very good friend who is a online parts distributor. His business featured Ford's name as he sold primarily Ford parts...he was a wholesale "middle man"...translation...he made Ford money by selling their parts as a licensed distributor.

Ford sued him and got a "cease and decist" junction for him to either pay them a large sum of cash, or pay a small amount, and remove their name from his business. He took option 2.


he had to sell off half his car collection(all Ford, including some serious modified custom toys that are very rare)...

he filed some counter suit that cost him some attorney's fees, but won that...with the money, he went out and bought a Ford GT..

so...he's ok...but for a time, he was really in a jam with a legal battle over a name.

Ford has made it very difficult for people to take their side at times.

while I am a Ford man(was)...I enjoy many of their cars, but they sure are making it hard for me to hold my own in a debate about some of their policies.

Last I checked, whoever had possession of the car's pink slip, owned the rights to everything about that car...I wish someone with deep pockets would come along and embarrass the heck out of the folks at the Blue Oval.

 

Sounds like they are doing pretty much the same thing VW did a few years ago. They filed numerous lawsuits against anyone and everyone who used a VW logo without their permission. This really hit the aircooled guys hard as they all had to change their magazine ads and signs. Most now put a disclaimer on their adds saying they are in no way connected to VW. I don't understand why automakers do this to their bread and butter. If we like a vehicle enough to buy it, customize, and maybe join a club/forum about them they should be glad and proud that they didn't try to sell a bomb. This is the very reason on the cool stuff stays underground and you have to search for it like a criminal. Just my two cents.

Heck, I'll even buy a HHR calander now just for the point of it, if I can find one.

 

Ford has to be nuts they need all the help thay can get promoting there products.Ford stock closed at $6.06 a share Friday they are attacking there own customers.

 

Maybe that's a good reason to hurry up and buy the HHR Heritage calendar.....

if GM/Chevy gets the same type of idea, the calendars will NOT be available. That would make them scarce and a rarity.

 

Yep, just ordered mine! Little late in the new year but still got a good eleven months left.

 

Where can we order one from?

 

well, if you break the law you pay the price.



i should report our calendar to their copyright department

 

It really depends on what has been trademarked. FoMoCo has every right to defend the use of the blue oval logo in a manner that they can control. In fact, the design of the vehicle, if registered trade dress, can also be controlled.

Yes, you can take as many pictures of your car as you want and distribute them in any manner you see fit, but try to make a buck off those pictures and you're in deep trouble with the law.

Welcome to the 21st century!

 

I agree....but what do you mean, "OUR" calendar??? I wasn't aware that you helped with the development and/or distribution