specialized sucks!

didnt cannondale or specialized trademark 'XC' too? or am i totally wrong on that one?

Nah, I think that was "freeriders" or something similar.

Don't forget this gem - Stumptown = Stumpjumper, according to the Big Red S.

http://bikeportland.org/2006/01/31/specialized-mountain-cycle-disagree-on-stumptown-864

yet another example of the legal / corporate bs that is slowly eroding our society.

I think Bob Villa on the board here , received a strongly worded letter from the real Bob Villa's people. Must not have been that strong worded as he is still using that board name.

I've received strong worded letters from Ron Howard and Liza Manelli!
:???:

Don't forget this gem - Stumptown = Stumpjumper, according to the Big Red S.

http://bikeportland.org/2006/01/31/specialized-mountain-cycle-disagree-on-stumptown-864

wasnt there also the recent story about the big S. trying to control what inventory a bike shop sells ala the whole shoes fiasco ???

Everti bikes on the island, was formally know as Epic bikes…

I was going to post this… Kurt started his company about 3 years before the Big "S" decided to start using "Epic".

Didn't matter… when you are a one man show and receive a half inch legal brief in the mail, it's easier to change your business name.

Welcome Everti to the market… http://www.evertibikes.com

And then as a small guy you learn how to register your mark so you don't get screwed again.

I was going to post this… Kurt started his company about 3 years before the Big "S" decided to start using "Epic".

Didn't matter… when you are a one man show and receive a half inch legal brief in the mail, it's easier to change your business name.

Welcome Everti to the market… http://www.evertibikes.com

And then as a small guy you learn how to register your mark so you don't get screwed again.

If you can swallow your pride and change your name like Everti, then you can really spin it as publicity for your startup.

I was going to post this… Kurt started his company about 3 years before the Big "S" decided to start using "Epic".

Didn't matter… when you are a one man show and receive a half inch legal brief in the mail, it's easier to change your business name.

Welcome Everti to the market… http://www.evertibikes.com

And then as a small guy you learn how to register your mark so you don't get screwed again.

Apparently specialized had used "EPIC" 12 years before on a road bike and still have the rights to the name when they went after Kurt.

Apparently specialized had used "EPIC" 12 years before on a road bike and still have the rights to the name when they went after Kurt.

Aye, Specialized had the Stumpjumper Epic and Epic Ultimate mountain bikes back around 1990 (carbon with Ti lugs for the Ultimate). I've got an Everti frame though, and the name is much better than 'Epic'…..

I think Bob Villa on the board here , received a strongly worded letter from the real Bob Villa's people. Must not have been that strong worded as he is still using that board name.

Hahahahahaha man I forgot about that. Logged on to the board one day and had a message in my inbox from one of the mods showing forwarding me the message.

It wasn't even Bob Vilas company or anything, just some website endorsing him or some shit.

http://http://www.gearsloot.com/2009/11/02/scott-usa-slaps-on3p-skis-with-cease-and-desist/

I like how ON3P did it….

Didn't matter… when you are a one man show and receive a half inch legal brief in the mail, it's easier to change your business name.

Or you do what Rock Art Brewery did and launch a social media campaign and smear the big guys as much as possible. After all, the whole thing is about image.

Name protection has been going on for a long time. Any business large or small needs to do their homework before selecting a name. Edge Composites changed their name to Enve due to a conflict in Europe I believe. I had Klein P3 years ago that was called a Pinnacle in the US because Norco had been making Pinnacle model mtb for quite a while before Klien came up with that model name.

Still big companies have to find a good line between protecting their name rights in an appropriate manner and bullying to get their way. Can be a backlash from the public if they do it wrong.

Oakley are very concerned with their brand reputation and will not sell to discount retailers and they always try and keep their prices up to reflect their reputation as being a manufacturer of top drawer stuff.

The reality is most small bike related companies are run by people too stoned to even realize there may be legal implications if choosing the wrong names.

;)