Anyone know these people?

[Von Rigg Fink]

im thinkin' you're screwed!..nothin' you can do about it. un less you want to spend more than its worth to gain.

[ncranger05]

<< that's who "designed" the website

[Unkl Ian]

Probably not,but they can go after anyone selling Rat Fink stuff.

Originally Posted by yorgatron

so,could the estate of Ed Roth sue everybody that does monster hot rod T-shirts?

[side_valve]

Something like this happened to me, the fine folks at Holloywood Cross Speed shop are using my artwork. I asked them to stop and the response was, “Oh, we thought it was clipart.” I explained that no, that is my flathead in my model A right NOW. I created the art and it’s on my copyrighted website.

[T-Time]

Originally Posted by CNC-Dude

Works of art like logos can also fall into copyrights as well. Try www.copyright.gov for all the details about all the FAQ concerning copyrights. How to register your copyrights, what is and isn't protected, etc.... It says that a person doesn't have to formally register their copyright with the copyright offices, but by making it a matter of public record will help validate true rights to it in case of instances just like this. Also, the copyright symbol(the circle with the C in the middle), needs to be a part of any and all work that is copyrighted to show that it is indeed protected. I have several patents myself, and several that have a pending status and know all too well what will happen if you don't try to protect your ideas and hard work. The USPTO website is very usefull for those who are seeking to explore trademarks,patents and copyrights. Good luck and hope you will prevail this situation.

First, let me say that I'm no expert in this area.

It is a gray area, but I don't think there's a leg to stand on in this case. I wouldn't deem this logo to have "sufficient authorship", and even if it does have sufficient authorship (must be well beyond just a name or phrase), probably only the words would get the protection and not the artwork...particularly since the artwork is rather generic to a time period. The logo should have been trademarked to protect the artwork. (However, I don't think that even under a trademark it is protectible in the case of this particular logo.) Just because you get a copyright or trademark does NOT mean it is enforceable. You can get a copyright or trademark on almost anything...whether it is enforceable is a whole different matter.

Here's what the U.S. Copyright Office says on the matter of logos:

How do I copyright a name, title, slogan or logo?
Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 800-786-9199, for further information. However, copyright protection may be available for logo artwork that contains sufficient authorship. In some circumstances, an artistic logo may also be protected as a trademark.

[Thirdyfivepickup]

Originally Posted by side_valve

Something like this happened to me, the fine folks at Holloywood Cross Speed shop are using my artwork. I asked them to stop and the response was, “Oh, we thought it was clipart.” I explained that no, that is my flathead in my model A right NOW. I created the art and it’s on my copyrighted website.

and its still there... bastards!

[KillerKustom]

I get your point. I wonder if GM knows you are using thier "V" in you logo?

[Mercmad]

Remember Ford and the whole repop industry? remember GM and Danchuk?
What about snob shop "Harrods"? ,they sued any one throughout the world who dared use the name.
go get them mate,they stole it,it's your property no matter what form it has taken. You will win court and they will pay your costs. Dig into this marketing company and you will find something like this:
http://spankmymarketer.com/tenneco.html

Lawyer tells you he cannot help? go to another!

[CHOPSHOP]

Originally Posted by KillerKustom

I get your point. I wonder if GM knows you are using thier "V" in you logo?

Actually their "V" (of which I have one on my own car) is beveled . OURS on our logo isnt- BUT the copycat logo IS...LOL

Bottom line on this is that its obviously a knockoff of some kind- my artist knows now as well_we showed it to him yesterday-AND he said the same thing- 'they stole your artwork'.

It is protected because its on a website WE created and copywrited .

All I want is for them to make it more their OWEN instead of an obvious stel - Id be good with that.

Still no response from them yet either- Dana will be calling them later this week to see if they 'got' the email...
If they ignore it, then they are not as upstanding as they claim to be - in this car community we all know how small it is- people WILL talk - and its just not right.

[CHOPSHOP]

Update to our original posting:

Dana called to Christy today. As soon as she said who she was Jim Fritz got on the phone...

He saidaas far as he was concerned he paid for the logo and there was nothing to talk about. NICE.
Apparently he feels because it isnt TRADEMARKED that his graphics people coud use one 'like it' because it was more than 10% different.

Unfortunatley this is not a trademark but a copywrite infrigement UGH

He also mentioned they changed their logo whrn the movie 'CARS" came out because the thought the 'CARS' logo was cute. We have had the logo since 2005!

Incredibly rude people both of them- and to think they put car shows on in Texas for charity! Not exactly the type of people I'd want to help support...

Not sure wht our next steps are- Dana offered to really work with them (she even said just changing the colors would make us happy).

Jim hung up on her!

I guess maybe , now we should notify Ciadella that they are using the moniker C.A.R.S. lol-

Maybe a visit from some HAMBurglers ae in order.... or maybe we shoudl let their sponsors know they stole out logo...
In any event- NOT good karma.

[mykwillis]

Originally Posted by CHOPSHOP

In any event- NOT good karma.

i would just leave it at that to save your headache. i'm a firm believer in karma.

thats why i don't want to go fuck with them for you.

[BigBlockMopar]

Why not suggest they go back to their other(older?) logo, which is still on their (open directory) webspace...

http://carsroadshow.com/images/ ->

carsheader.gif 04-Oct-2005 01:20 38k

[5window]

I noticed on their website that "Stateside Remodeling" is their sponsor-think I'll forward them this thread.

[mykwillis]

my weekly eating spot is at 3110 saturn. i'll see if i can find there address when i'm over there next.