Ford Motor Company - Stop Digging Your Grave

[Brent]

Ford Motor Company does not just want to go after companies that sell Mustang parts and use their Mustang trademarked name in their Company name, they want to go after us. They want to go after all the websites, companies and magazines that use the name Mustang or Ford in their company name. Yes you heard it right EVERYONE. That means some of your favorite Mustang websites, Mustang parts dealers, and Mustang magazines are being attacked by the very company they promote.

Let's take a look at the possible companies that are going to be affected by Ford:

Mustangevolution.com
Mustangforums.com
Mustang-Forums.com
Mustang.com
Mustangtuning.com
Allfordmustangs.com
Muscle-Mustangs.com
Vintage-Mustang.com
Mustangworld.com
Mustangfaqs.com
Mustangheaven.com
Fordpower.net
3.8mustang.com
Mustangseats.com
Mustang.org
Mustangworks.com
Cal-Mustang.com
Mustangmonthly.com
Mustangenthusiast.com
Moddedmustangs.com

I am sure there are more, but those just pop into my head.

Here is points from an article by Mustangmonthly.com which is also on Ford's future target list:

Quote: Originally Posted by Mustang Monthly About 10 years ago, Ford started making noise about the use of the Mustang name. As a result, some companies modified their name to include a descriptive word, such as Classic. When asked if those companies would still be targeted, our source at Ford said, "At the time, that was deemed acceptable. Ford has changed its mind."

Changed your mind? How convienent. I might just change my mind about my next car purchase too.

Quote: The letter also demands that the companies turn over for destruction all signs, banners, business cards, stationary, and so on, that use Mustang in the company name, along with a cashier's check for $5,000 in damages. One company was given less than two weeks to comply, and another has discontinued its advertising, a potentially devastating move for a mail-order company, until the situation is resolved.

2 weeks! They are hurting these businesses people.

Quote: Upon further research, it appears the matter will only be resolved when everyone--parts companies, Web sites, even magazines--stops using the Mustang name, primarily because Ford fears the usage might be construed as an affiliation with Ford. A source at Ford, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that Ford has decided to "reclaim its legacy" by protecting its trademarks and logos. "The intent is to eliminate the use of trademark names," including Mustang and Thunderbird, among others. Apparently, Ford went after companies using Ford in their name first; now it's time to clean up Mustang.

Claim back their legacy by pissing off their loyal customers?

Quote: So now companies are faced with making a name change, and it won't be as easy as replacing Mustang with Pony or Stang. According to Ryther, Ford is protecting those trademarks too. His suggestion is for companies to change their names to something generic like "Classic Car Parts," then add a tagline about specializing in Mustangs. Sounds confusing to me.

Here is the kicker! Pony and Stang are also registered Trademarks of Ford

Ford wants to make EVERY COMPANY listed above remove the name Mustang from it. You have no idea how disgusted I am with Ford. Their company is in the worst financial shape in years so they decide to start pissing off even more of their customers, the very people that create what the Ford Mustang is, by suing the Enthusiast sites and the companies that sell to the Enthusiasts.

I apologize Ford, that I do not wish to purchase my OEM parts from you and be raped by your outragous prices. Competition is a pain isn't it? It must suck when some small company can make a better product to replace your crappy OEM one and do it for less than it costs to purchase the crappy OEM one.

You may have every right to do this legally, just like we have every right to decide to skip the Ford dealer lot next time we go car shopping. I hope you reconsider your decision to go after the little man here. The little man might just be bigger than you thought when it is all said and done.

So I urge you Ford Motor Company, please do not continue with these poorly misguided lawsuits. Doing so will only hurt your image in the eyes of the ones that have supported you for so long.

Brent Wilson
Owner, Mustangevolution.com

[Brent]

I'd like for everyone to respond to this thread that agrees with what I have written and I would like everyone to link to this thread from other websites that you post at. This is not a game Ford is playing with us. They can take everything I worked my ass off for the last 3 years away from me and not give a rats ass about it. Please help me make Ford realize that they have gone to far here.

You may also contact Ford here: https://secure.ford.com/en/support/emailUs.htm

I urge you to do this as well.

Digg this page!

The best way you can help with this is to link to this thread and email ford. Here is the link to this thread:

For other websites:

<a href="http://www.mustangevolution.com/forum/ford-motor-company-stop-digging-your-21532.html">Ford Motor Company Trademark Lawsuits</a>

For other forums:

[url=http://www.mustangevolution.com/forum/ford-motor-company-stop-digging-your-21532.html]Ford Motor Company Trademark Lawsuits[/url]

If enough people use the link above with Ford Motor Company as the anchor text, search engines will begin ranking this thread higher and higher for the term Ford Motor Company in Google, Yahoo and MSN. Meaning more people see this thread.

So if you have a Car Domain Page, Personal Website, MySpace page, or post on another forum, you can post this link on them. Every link counts.

[meteorachick]

i agree--they are taking something that the public loves, and they are taking it away from them...all they are going to do in the end is hurt their sales even more than they were hurting to begin with. i can't believe that they would want to hurt the people that make ford what it is

if they go around doing this, i will never buy another ford.

[fast64]

morons

[bbunt302]

I agree wholeheartedly. Really... what are they thinking? In a time where Ford has very few supporters, they do something like this to hurt the few of us out there who still are? Why can Ford not see that sites such as these are one of the few things remaining out there that actually help their image?

It almost makes me embarassed to be a Mustang enthusiast (although I guess I shouldn't use the "M word" anymore because I might get sued).

[Trist]

Yea well you know I agree, even though I have still yet to get my car, maybe I will boycott them YEA THAT WILL SHOW U GREEDY MONKIES!!!

Actually, you know, Brent, all the sites are good, but that one that ban me, well that one can go away, I wont miss it any, but but, if ME goes, I WILL CRY and my child will freak out inside my belly right now and cause MAJOR CHAOS....it might even come out like the kiddo from Omen and be sucked upon Ford :X

So behave, and let our site remain the same!!!

*Do not aggitate the pregnant ladie*

[whipster24]

I've sent an email using that form as well. I should have asked about it at the ford racing performance parts booth at wfc

[lowflyn]

As an avid Mustang enthusiast who spends the majority of my income and time modifying my Mustang, I was appalled to hear that Ford Motor Company was going to start attacking the very businesses and websites that are the backbone of the Mustang modifying and information communities. I understand the idea of keeping a trademark/copywrite that has been paid for, but when a product becomes as popular as the Mustang is since it's debut on April 17, 1964. If Ford Motor Company plans to attack these businesses and sites, I feel it would lead to a very unneeded disinterest in one of the most profitable overall vehicles for Ford Motor Company. As a member of numerous Mustang enthusiast and interest sites, the loss of these sites stemming from involvement by Ford Motor Company would lead me to believe Ford Motor Company does not want my business or my interest in any of their products. I must say, I love my car, but if this is how Ford Motor Company plans to treat it's customers and fan base, then I will not hesitate from overlooking Ford Motor Company in any of my future vehicle decisions. Along with this, I will be sure that anyone I come in contact with will know of the actions Ford Motor Company has taken against enthusiasts and fans. If this is a new strategy by Ford Motor Company to revive itself from the financial slump it is currently in, then I must say, as a small business owner, your financial department needs a major overhaul. Actions such as this are what leads the American people to choose a foreign made automobile over a domestic made automobile. Overall, I must say I am greatly dissapointed with Ford Motor Company and this recent decision to inhibit enthusiasts from displaying their interests with the Mustang and sharing this interest with new-comers to the Mustang community. I hope you will reconsider these actions, and be thankful you still have such a loyal customer base. I'd hate to see Ford Motor Company suffer because of one bad choice, but I will not hesitate buying my next vehicle elsewhere next year. Thank you for your time, and I hope you will read and understand where I'm coming from. I guess the only question left is do you like having a loyal customer base? If so, this is the worst possible way to keep it.

^my comments sent to Ford Motor Company

[Brent]

Digg this page: Ford Motor Company: Stop Digging Your Grave

[fast64]

I just emailed them, I pretty much told them they were marketing fools and asked if a 2000 ranger and 64 mustang would be enough for a down payment on a new challenger.

[whipster24]

so I just wrote another letter to them:


There is much talk around the internet of Ford going after companies who use the term "mustang" in their name. Ford is treading on thin ice with this one. If they want to alienate a large number of their loyal customers, this is the way to do it. I know that if I see this action come to fruition, I guarantee I will never buy another Ford product of any sort. Right now I own an 01 mustang and 00 f150 and plan to purchase an f250 in a few years but that will surely change if ford does not treat their loyal customers better then this.

I know there are a LOT of other mustang enthusiests who feel the same way that I do and Ford would be wise not to bite the hand that feeds them

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by fast64 I just emailed them, I pretty much told them they were marketing fools and asked if a 2000 ranger and 64 mustang would be enough for a down payment on a new challenger.

lmao

[bbunt302]

Here's what I wrote them:

Quote: Originally Posted by Me I am writing you concerning recent threats by Ford Motor Company against companies who use the trademarked "Mustang" name in the names of their companies, web sites, and magazines. I personally feel that these threats are severly misguided. To attack these companies is to attack the very enthusiasts who bleed Ford blue. The simple fact is that Ford Motor Company has very few die-hard supporters left. Things of this nature will only further lessen these numbers. Of all the people in this world to threaten, Ford Motor Company goes for the very ones who support their product the most? I do not understand this logic. I have just within the past month purchased a brand new 2006 Mustang GT and also am the owner of a 1990 Mustang LX. My grandfather retired from Ford Motor Company and my father worked there for nearly fifteen years. My family has long supported your company. However, I can guarantee you that if this is the direction your company chooses to take, I will never purchase another Ford vehicle and will encourage everyone I know to follow suit. Things like this make me embarassed to be a Mustang enthusiast. Hopefully I won't get sued for saying the "M word"... Thank you for your time.

[Thomas91169]

id say if they do do this, everyone with a mustang should torch their dealership at the same date. so every ford dealership in america goes in flames at the same time. do you have any idea the repercussions of this maneuver?

oh well, looks like ill be selling the stang after all, buy a vette or something from a company that actually tries to treat their customers with some pride.

[Brent]

I updated the first post with more info

[Brent]

and I have just emailed this thread to Ford Motor Company