Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/01/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]About fifteen or twenty years ago the major US auto companies realized that there was a huge amount of money to be made through licensing their logos and images of their products--something that hadn't really captured their attention previously. From that point on they've gone after all sorts of folks who have photographed their products, and used their logos. To be fair, many of the alleged infringements were for profit-making ventures, such as people who reproduced vintage car parts and accessories. Unfortunately, the big US auto makers' staff attorneys don't make much of a distinction between club enthusiasts and pirates. A good friend of mine had been involved with the Lincoln (automobile) Owners Club, trying to get Ford's blessing for an archive of vintage Lincoln images, including ads, manuals, and other print materials. After three years of fighting Ford's bureaucracy (including marshalling the force of several Ford VPs who were avid members of the Lincoln Owners Club), he gave up what had become a fruitless battle. In the LUG yearbook, the vast majority of images do not show Leica equipment or logos--with one exception: the cover image, showing an M8 ready for use. If Leica AG really wants to take issue with that, I'd be surprised. Jim Shulman Bryn Mawr, PA -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Tina Manley Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 4:53 PM To: lug@leica-users.org Subject: [Leica] Ford Logo problems LUG: Any chance Leica would do the same to our yearbook? http://www.adrants.com/2008/01/ford-slaps-brand-enthusiasts-returns.php Tina Tina Manley ASMP, NPPA, EP, PI http://www.tinamanley.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information