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

[canadonis]

Hi

 

I'm not familiar with copyright and trademark laws and it's infringements, my question is simple...can a corporate organization register a public name like Roubaix, Paris,New York etc these are names of towns or cities which they have modeled their bikes names on? As these names are in the public domain how can specialized claim this to be an infringement. I'm sure if one was to visit the town of Roubaix, you will find various shops like Roubaix bakery, Roubaix dry Leander's maybe even a Roubaix cycle shop...does specialized have the right to sue any of the owners???

[eddy]

 

 

I'm not familiar with copyright and trademark laws and it's infringements,

 

Come on, what is wrong with you ?

 

Surely you don't need to know anything about Intellectual Property Law to have a strong opinion on this thread ?

 

Why spoil it for every body else by wanting to know the legal position as opposed to going with the mob ? :whistling:

[Maniax]

Here it is...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=429367720519294&set=vb.219609484828453&type=2&theater

 

nice bromance moment

Bump

Edited December 12, 2013 by Maniax

[rock]

thats the worst vid i've ever seen on the web, so awkward........what a fail for Spaz.

[GoLefty!!]

almost as bad as fake sign language interpreter

[Brian Fantana]

From Specialized's Facebook page:

 

https://www.facebook.com/specializedbicycles/posts/10152051815982579:0

 

It's a statement from Mike Sinyard.

 

Although he overreacted, I understand why, and most of us would have done the same if we worked as hard as he did to be where he is today. Especially when you see your life's work being copied with bad quality materials and workmanship.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Brian Fantana

[DJR]

OK, I give him credit for a straight apology, not many execs have it in them to say sorry, but I also know that it is mostly damage control and unlikely to be genuine concern about the little guys.

[Capricorn]

OK, I give him credit for a straight apology, not many execs have it in them to say sorry, but I also know that it is mostly damage control and unlikely to be genuine concern about the little guys.

 

that may be true, but i think there is a major cautionary in there for patent/trademark offices as well. The way its currently structured, its giving the guy with the most money free reign for a scorched earth policy around a single concept. Copies will always exist, and more so 'similar' products. Trademarking pre-existing names is just plain idiocy, because i didn't realize the name made the product better on a realistic level, rabid fanboisms aside.

[I am not SomeBloke]

Well written letter and solid reasoning. Looks like Sinyard had to take his lawyers and PR department by the ears.

[Wyatt Earp]

almost as bad as fake sign language interpreter

 

I actually found him to be more genuine than some random biased internet troll that has some pent up anger because of a small situation that happened a few years back.

Blikkies, and not just you, but everyone else including the immature 14 year old kids that responded to this letter online, it's time to act a little bit less emotional and time to start acting a bit more like adults.

Edited December 13, 2013 by Wyatt Earp

[Wyatt Earp]

I think Mike missed a big business opportunity. If I was Mike I would have bought the shop, then go on to put up Cafe Roubaixs all over with franchise agreements. But that's just me. I am a crappy businessman anyway.

 

You should send him some business advice via e-mail.

I mean what was he thinking ?

 

He and anyone who is involved in the cycle industry from a wholesale side will very well know that there is very little income from the retail environment.

 

He does what he knows best instead of dabbling in all sorts of other sideline projects.

I mean what was Golefty's Aztec god's thinking when they decided to dabble in quad bikes................

[fabes]

almost as bad as fake sign language interpreter

Almost as bad as a fake warranty claim

[DIPSLICK]

thats the worst vid i've ever seen on the web, so awkward........what a fail for Spaz.

 

check the condescending, body language from SPAZ, not a sincere apology/explanation at all, i dont seem to feel convinced,

 

i still get the impression giant is just doing what the public wants him to do because its what PR needs for sales,,

 

i also say EPIC FAIL SPAZ

 

 

HAVING SAID THAT I WILL STILL BE ORDERING MY SPECIALIZED NEXT YEAR ALL I NEED TO DO IS FIND A

 

SPECIALIZED DEALER BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY THE BEST

 

 

HATERS ARE GOING TO HATE especially if they are lefty owners

Edited December 13, 2013 by dipslick

[fabes]

thats the worst vid i've ever seen on the web, so awkward........what a fail for Spaz.

 

check the condescending, body language from SPAZ, not a sincere apology/explanation at all, i dont seem to feel convinced,

 

i still get the impression giant is just doing what the public wants him to do because its what PR needs for sales,,

 

i also say EPIC FAIL SPAZ

 

 

HAVING SAID THAT I WILL STILL BE ORDERING MY SPECIALIZED NEXT YEAR ALL I NEED TO DO IS FIND A

 

SPECIALIZED DEALER BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY THE BEST

 

 

HATERS ARE GOING TO HATE especially if they are lefty owners

All you need to do is sort your Stumpy leg out. That would be a great start

[Vetseun]

Almost as bad as a fake warranty claim

heeheheeehee

[camelman]

Jeez, there is a lot of internet tough guys here. You guys should enter for a role in the "Expendables 3". No way will Statham or Stallone get a role before you.