The Empire Strikes Back: Specialized Sues A Bike Shop Over Name

[scuzzy]

So perhaps Specialized did not follow the right channels, but imagine that Fuji could legally hold them responsible for not acting on the trademark infringement. Fuji looking like the heroes now.

 

At least Cafe Roubaix got some free advertising out of this. And everybody can now go and buy a Fuji bike, since they're the heroes and Specialized the bullies.

 

Cause we just like having a Fuji under us just to support the brand.

 

#prdonotmakegoodorbadbikes

[Capricorn]

 

Neal Rogers ‏@nealrogers17m

Update on Specialized/Roubaix story, by @stevefroth at @BicycleRetailer: ASI says Calgary shop can use Roubaix name http://www.bicycleretailer.com/north-america/2013/12/09/asi-says-calgary-bike-shop-can-use-roubaix-name#.UqanBYv9TJw.twitter…

 

and that's how it should've been: a very level-headed approach. Will be interesting to see the terms of licencing offered to Mr Cafe Roubaix. I mean, does he accept whatever they offer so he doesnt end up the stodgy moron, or will the licencing agreement be as reasonable as that press release by ASI.

 

But yasis Spesh. jy't lekker opgefok...

[scuzzy]

I see a new Paris-Roubaix route has been announced...

 

 

I thought they might do like a Montreal - Roubaix UCI tour in support of the bike shop owner

[I am not SomeBloke]

 

and that's how it should've been: a very level-headed approach. Will be interesting to see the terms of licencing offered to Mr Cafe Roubaix. I mean, does he accept whatever they offer so he doesnt end up the stodgy moron, or will the licencing agreement be as reasonable as that press release by ASI.

 

But yasis Spesh. jy't lekker opgefok...

 

They'll probably go the $1 licensing route. If they'd had this approach from the start they would have generated brand goodwill whilst covering themselves legally. Whoever's running their PR should be fired.

[igknot]

I see a new Paris-Roubaix route has been announced...

 

 

I sure hope the organiser has cleared the route with Spaz before releasing it. A simple google search would have made it clear that the naming rights lies somewhere in the states.

[scuzzy]

I sure hope the organiser has cleared the route with Spaz before releasing it. A simple google search would have made it clear that the naming rights lies somewhere in the states.

 

Is Roubaix not in France though?

[eddy]

 

Specialized holds the trademark for Roubaix in Canada; it has since 2007 when its application was approved.

 

Three separate intellectual property lawyers contacted by VeloNews have stated unequivocally that Specialized’s trademark is valid. It is legitimate.

 

It may feel wrong, but it’s the law.

 

 

 

kevin vermaak.. you next buddy. Epic. clearly logic is not part of the equation when handing out patents. This unbridled greed at play here. Ppl should rightly vote with their wallets.

 

This here is the problem. Without any concept of intellectual property law you take a position that is clearly nonsense.

 

For a start, this has nothing to do with patents, it is a Trademark dispute. What is not in dispute is that Spez applied for and was approved to register the Roubaix trademark in Canada in 2007. Anybody who had a problem with it, had the opportunity to object then.

 

Specialized does not hold the trademark for Epic in South Africa. So no, they cannot take action against Kevin Vermaak and no one in his right mind would suggest that.

 

However, I suggest you start a bike brand called Absa Cape Epic and see how long it takes before you get a strongly worded letter from KV's lawyers.

[Wyatt Earp]

Ppl should rightly vote with their wallets.

 

I did exactly that ,that's why I bought the Venge.

[jcza]

I understand that there is no such thing as "International Trademark", only the Madrid protocol

 

http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/madrid/madridfaqs.jsp

 

But then I'm not a lawyer...

[slowashell]

So there is no problem if Fuji owns the rights to the name, as long as Specialized doesn't? I think I see double standards being applied here, just because Specialized created a PR booby.

 

I ride a Fuji.

[Cellar]

So there is no problem if Fuji owns the rights to the name, as long as Specialized doesn't? I think I see double standards being applied here, just because Specialized created a PR booby.

 

 

No.

 

Read the story. ASI who own Fuji, and the Roubaix TM, let Specialised use the Roubaix name under a license agreement. It seems like Specialised overstepped the boundaries of that license agreement in going after this bike shop.

 

And there's no double standard, as ASI didn't use the bully tactics that Specialised did.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Cellar

[GLuvsMtb]

Specialized does not hold the trademark for Epic in South Africa. So no, they cannot take action against Kevin Vermaak and no one in his right mind would suggest that.

 

However, I suggest you start a bike brand called Absa Cape Epic and see how long it takes before you get a strongly worded letter from KV's lawyers.

 

KV is so anal about the brand that you are not even allowed to use it to brand your own Epic kit with their logo.

 

It the SA context you may point to the Epic Bike Shop in Plumstead and ask about this issue. They have been operating under that name for much longer than the existence of the Cape Epic and have a very strong case should they ever get a nasty letter to this effect.

 

BC bike race gave us permission to brand our kit for this years race with the only provision that we send them a pic of us wearing the kit on a local trail.

 

I prefer the Canadian approach.

Edited December 10, 2013 by GLuvsMtb

[RockCoach]

No.

 

Read the story. ASI who own Fuji, and the Roubaix TM, let Specialised use the Roubaix name under a license agreement. It seems like Specialised overstepped the boundaries of that license agreement in going after this bike shop.

 

Not sure of the details but I read somewhere that Spesh let Fuji use one of their suspension designs as part of the deal.

[Capricorn]

This here is the problem. Without any concept of intellectual property law you take a position that is clearly nonsense.

 

For a start, this has nothing to do with patents, it is a Trademark dispute. What is not in dispute is that Spez applied for and was approved to register the Roubaix trademark in Canada in 2007. Anybody who had a problem with it, had the opportunity to object then.

 

Specialized does not hold the trademark for Epic in South Africa. So no, they cannot take action against Kevin Vermaak and no one in his right mind would suggest that.

 

However, I suggest you start a bike brand called Absa Cape Epic and see how long it takes before you get a strongly worded letter from KV's lawyers.

 

tongue in cheek. unbunch a bit and maybe you'll spot the sarcasm in my statement about the epic. Talk about coming to nonsense conclusions. Much irony there old chap.

 

But feel free to replace patent with trademark. It's still lacking logic.

[Shebeen]

But wait isn't Fuji bikes involved in a dispute with Fuji cameras? Plus there's some shepherd on mount Fuji suing them both

[Shebeen]

But wait isn't Fuji bikes involved in a dispute with Fuji cameras? Plus there's some shepherd on mount Fuji suing them both