Own A Ford? Ford Doesn't Think So.

Special to Free Republic ^ | 12 Jan 2008 | Spktyr

[dalereed]

“Remind me not to hire the Ford PR guy.”

In 1956 Ralph Nader was the Ford PR guy, one screwed up company.

[CommerceComet]

I used to like Ford. The last car I bought was not a Ford because of the item we aren’t supposed to mention. This just seals the deal for me.

I'd be curious what type of car you bought. All the major manufacturers advertise in the "unmentionable" community and provide support to "unmentionable" causes. Most corporations are very amoral.

[SamuraiScot]

I don't drive Fords anymore because they . . . inhale loudly. And to complete their coming collapse, apparently they are now persecuting their most fanatical customers.

Folks, it doesn't get stupider.

[buschbaby]

I own a NASCAR forum, with your permission I’d like to pass this information on to them. Alot of my members are Ford people.

[river rat]

No surprise here....

Ford has been STUPIDLY managing their business for decades..
That is precisely why they have become less and less profitable and more and more irrelevant in the industry...

In the past 2 years, their stock has fallen from over $11 to under $3!

That took some real effort in the market during that period!

They did it the HARD way, they earned it through STUPIDITY and ARROGANCE

[Psycho_Bunny]

So this “Ford” company makes cars? Never been in one that I can recall.

[Spktyr]

Feel free.

[rawhide]

Hmm, I wonder what this mean for ‘Auto Trader’ or ‘Hemmings’? No more Ford cars nor trucks can be resold using a photo?

[TWohlford]

"They, however, own the trademark. And others can't use it for commercial benefit. As a rule, companies don't like doing crap like this and taking the resultant PR hickey. But, if they don't take steps to defend their trademark, they are at risk of losing the exclusive rights to it."

Bingo.

VW did this over a decade ago for some of its fan clubs (and associated Web sites).

The problem is that any company must guard its trademark and reputation. PR and marketing people worry about the smallest possible details, and quite frankly, most fan clubs lack the sensitivity desired by Ford.

[pepperdog]

I do believe they’ve all learned from Microsoft and the music industry. Nothing we buy is ours to do with as we please, or so it seems. Everything we do with what we’ve bought is subject to investigation and prosecution by the original manufacture and they don’t have to tell us if what we’re doing might result in legal action.

Here I sit using Vista, which refuses to cooperate with much of my previously purchased software and is subject to freezing, crashing etc. But can I use the XP that is on my other computer? No, I have to use this crappy program on this computer to remain legal. I’m getting really tired of it all.

[muir_redwoods]

This is one, possibly two steps removed from telling you that you cannot use non-Ford licensed after-market products in their cars

[Buddy B]

"On January 28th, 1998 Volvo Group sold its business area Volvo Car Corporation to Ford Motor Company for US$6.45 billion.

Volvo - Wikipedia

[L98Fiero]

I have a classic Mustang and if Ford gets their way, I won’t be able to restore it because they are supposedly attempting to take out the aftermarket parts manufacturers.

As God as my witness, I will never do business with Ford Motor Company again.

[okie01]

Well, if that's the case, I can't imagine what the burr in their underwear might be.

Sometimes, corporate legal departments seem to look around for things they can screw up...

[Spktyr]

Also, when asked if Ford would drop any claims if all the logos were removed (either via Photoshop or reshoot), Ford’s response was as follows:

“If [an entity] not affiliated with Ford uses any Ford trademark, whether through the use of photographs, depictions or silhouettes, or any confusingly similar variation thereof, without Ford’s express, written consent, then that [entity] is violating Federal and state trademarks laws.”

In other words, no, Ford thinks that the appearance of your car is their IP.

[CodeMasterPhilzar]

I have owned 4 Fords over the years - purchased every one new off the dealer’s lot. After my experiences with the last two, I had pretty well decided no more Fords. This kind of crap, that makes it certain. No more Fords, period.

[Farmer Dean]

My first Ford was a 1967 Mustang fastback,a pretty decent car.Then my brother and I bought mom a 1972 Pinto station wagon.That one convinced us-no more Fords ever!

[Dad x 3]

‘Seems like the Rice Haters are God-haters, too.

From the Rice Haters page, right after the discussion of the legal tangle:

“When you say ‘radical right’ today, I think of these moneymaking ventures by fellows like Pat Robertson and others who are trying to take the Republican Party away from the Republican Party, and make a religious organization out of it. If that ever happens, kiss politics goodbye.”
~ Barry Goldwater, July 1994

DIVINE INSANITY: God killed himself on the cross, to save his own creation, from his own wrath.

[Spktyr]

It’s not a supposition, they really have been going after them. Most of us didn’t care because it didn’t affect us. Now, well, they seem to have a head of steam up and they’re heading for *us*.

And yes, I own a couple of Ford products. With any luck, that division will be under Indian ownership soon, though.

[org.whodat]

Hmmmmmm, sounds like its a good idea NOT to buy any Ford products.

Try using the GM corvette logo and see what happens to you.