Ford craps on it's customers

[themadscientist]

Apparently you don't own your ford. Try posting a pic of your own car and wait for Ford's lawyers to knock on your door.

http://www.bmcforums.com/showthread.php?t=42402

post 42 is the official announcement

nice, *** clowns.

[DeXteR]

wow...

I just spent about 30 minutes reading that thread.

Here's the jist of it: That website put a calendar together featuring THEIR personal cars. They put it up on cafepress for sale to the general public. Within a few days, cafepress received notice from an attorney representing Ford Motor Co. saying that CP needed to remove the items featuring their (FMC's) vehicles.

This is VERY recent. Spread the word, keep tabs on it, and find out how this unfolds for Ford.

In as tight of a situation as they're currently in, I think this should be the last of Ford's concerns right now - this is going to end up directly hurting their sales if this story gets out to the mainstream. Seems like suicide by greed for Ford
Modified by DeXteR at 11:11 AM 1/11/2008

[DrifterXRPS13]

that's messed up. that's like nissan saying coming down and saying we can't have our calendar...i'd be so pissed if they did that!

lol, it's funny how everything on their site that has the name ford or mustang is got the word "censored" on it, lol, including the name of the forum...stupid ford

now would be a good time to buy some of their stock though, just in case they somehow pull out and get big again, only $5 and change per share.

[joe603]

I really hate ford...so this doesn't surprise me. I don't know how they could legally get away with it though.

[nsrZ32]

Not cool at all

[G_whizz]

That is un frikn real. Super absurd!!

[Encryptshun]

I am ashamed to say I own Ford stock. As a shareholder, I will be exercising my right to issue a formal complaint about this, if it is true. Ford is historically all about plausible deniability whenever it's challenged by a shareholder.

[Rex]

I guess I'm more surprised there's a forum based on owning a black mustang - BMC (Black Mustang Club)?!?!

Though I'm scratching my head at the idea Ford is telling them they can't sell a picture of their car???

[Repo Man]

Wow. No wonder F*rd has taken a huge dump on itself. Henry is probably doing backflips in his grave.

[Encryptshun]

Though I'm scratching my head at the idea Ford is telling them they can't sell a picture of their car???

Most large companies have strict policies concerning profiteering on their trademark -- since the calendar is being sold rather than given away, that constitutes an infringement on Ford's IP for their design and logo. Plus, in a society where a gun manufacturer can be sued for making a gun used in a murder, it's not a huge stretch to think that someone who sees a picture of a Mustang with coilovers puts coilovers on their own car, botches the installation, wrecks his car, and sues Ford for making the car. That's no justification (it is still fvcking retarded) but that is what lawyers get paid to do -- stir the pot and therefore justify their own salaries.

[Jesda]

Repost (or I saw it on another forum). Kill all the lawyers.

[Dittoz7]

Nissan Better Not Be Taking Notes...Yea They Censored Everything On The Web-Site At ThatI Guess Law-Suites Are Their Second Income...Sad Sad Sad...

[OriginalWheelman]

Wow. I don't think I'll buy another Ford after this, seeing as I couldn't use pics of my car. I wonder if they are going to sue every parts site with their cars pic on it too? What about anyone on auto trader using pictures to sell their cars? This is as bad as the crap they pulled with the electric Rangers. They release a limited number, intended as a real life test, and then recalled them all. One farmer took them to court and LOST trying to keep his truck. Furthermore they have no right to talk about copyright infringement after they sold a factory Bigfoot, and Bigfoot Cruiser (F series and Ranger respectively) WITH OUT the permission of Bob Chandler. All those cars were subsequently recalled and destroyed. A very few of them were hid and survived. I have seem one of each. Bottom line. Ford is wrong. Alienating loyal owners is not the way to help struggling sales.

[brkn240]

I saw this on another forum, too. It's BS. I'm going to go take a picture of my wife's beat down escort and try to get into trouble with it...

[MoldyOldy240]

This makes me sad in the pants..

Ford=FTL

What a great way to alienate your market.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

damn, I was thinking about buying Ford stock too. What a bunch of ****tards.

Someone find an email adress for Ford so we can ***** them out.

[Loki]

What's next? Ford sues customers that take their Fords in for maintenance on the grounds they are defaming Fords name by implying they break down?

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Ford is run by a bunch of ****ing dumbasses.

Ford is synonymous with Fail. They excel at making ridiculously stupid decisions.

I look forward to their demise. This coming from somebody who likes their cars from the 60's-70's.

Henry Ford is definitely turning tossing and turning in his grave.

[PBfrEAk]

Thats bull****...there is no way they have any legal right to do that sort of thing.

However I LOVE what they did with there banner up top.

[Encryptshun]

What's next? Ford sues customers that take their Fords in for maintenance on the grounds they are defaming Fords name by implying they break down?

[alms24sebring]

yeah thats kindof waaaaaayyy over the top....so unnecessary. I'm glad I hate ford.

^^ all their avatars are censored too lol

[stopatnothing]

I guess I'm more surprised there's a forum based on owning a black mustang - BMC (Black Mustang Club)?!?!

Though I'm scratching my head at the idea Ford is telling them they can't sell a picture of their car???

I think its because of the fact that owning a Mustang in general doesn't make them even remotely unique, so they had to find a way.

But the simple explanation of "why" is obviously that most Ford reps and their lawyers like it in their poopers. Plain and simple.

[Eikon]

I don't think Ford cares much about owners putting pictures of their car on a calender.

It's the PROFIT that they are making from that calender that Ford is after. Ford is claiming that the shape, logo, likeness etc. when used for a profitable exercise is against patent laws.

I can understand that.

I do not agree with it. I think it's a completely retarded thing to do. What a bunch of morons!!!

[stopatnothing]

I don't think Ford cares much about owners putting pictures of their car on a calender.

It's the PROFIT that they are making from that calender that Ford is after. Ford is claiming that the shape, logo, likeness etc. when used for a profitable exercise is against patent laws.

I can understand that.

I do not agree with it. I think it's a completely retarded thing to do. What a bunch of morons!!!

But assuming that all or most of the profit was going to bettering the forum, they *should* be alright with that, considering its only furthering their sales from new members buying cars, FordRacing parts, and I'm SURE that they sponsor it. I, too, can understand where they are coming from, but they should be able to realize that thats just stupid. Its not hurting their company, I mean, what, maaaaybe 5K in sales at the most from all of these calenders? Unless they're going for everyone and not just solely this forum.Still, they're being a bunch of giant vaginas about this when they need to just go home.

[jdshift]

I really don't know what to say.......but . That in a sense is free advertisment for FORD, treat your customers this way? Seriously .

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Hopefully Nissan didn't see NICO's calendar...

[duffman1278]

Whoa!! Thats STUPID, I'm gonna ask my boss at work, we work directly with Ford and their coming to our plant soon. I wanna find out wtf is going on.

[Philipio]

Crap being pulled like that makes me very angry. Way to go, Ford. Dig yourself an even further hole.

Digg it up. http://www.digg.com/autos/Ford..._foot

[Urabus GodofTraction]

"The Black Mustang Club is a large Mustang forum for people who worship Mustangs, Ford's bread and butter. Like a lot of large forums, they made a calendar of member's cars to sell. Sounds ok, right? Well, Ford's lawyers called them up and said that's a no no."

*BZZT* What is the F-150, Alex?

Yeah, try again person on digg.

[stopatnothing]

"The Black Mustang Club is a large Mustang forum for people who worship Mustangs, Ford's bread and butter. Like a lot of large forums, they made a calendar of member's cars to sell. Sounds ok, right? Well, Ford's lawyers called them up and said that's a no no."

*BZZT* What is the F-150, Alex?

Yeah, try again person on digg.

Ive met a LOT of Mustang owners with your typical BMW M owner personality. Thinking their sh*t doesnt stink and all.

DISCLAIMER: this is so all the m owners and mustang owners dont start yelling: Not ALL of you are like this, just as some Nissan owners suck the fat one, too.