re: Porsche site & Lawyers

[lee@wheelman.com (Lee M. Levitt)]

"Jon Linkov" <njconn@email.msn.com> wrote:
>
>I don't know about the rest of you, but Porsche (and maybe Audi in the
>future) going after enthusiast web sites and list is insulting. Yes, if
>there is a place using the name for ill gotten gains, fine. But these
>enthusiasts (gasp) actually .... BUY Porsches! And they want to have a site
>with the revered Porsche name?! How dare they!
>
>Jeez. If Porsche wants to alienate their buyers and go back to the difficult
>sales years of the late 80's early 90's, pissing off people on the Internet
>is a fine start.... With marketing moves like that, I'm sure AoA is giving
>them pro bono advice!

Jon,

Don't get your shorts in a knot. Many trademark owners conduct periodic
spot checks of their trademark infringements, and act accordingly. Doesn't
matter whether its an enthusiast site or a commerce one.

Porsche is simply protecting its trademark, as it's required to by law. If
it didn't actively protect its trademark, it would lose control of that
trademark, and the value would become diluted. The owner has to demonstrate
that it *does* actively patrol usage.

Enthusiast sites can mention the name of the trademark holder. They can't
cite endorsement, unless they officially hold endorsement. And they cannot
display the trademark owner's logo without explicit permission. In fact,
use of unique fonts (such as the Audi font) may be barred.

HTH, YMMV.

Lee