61 replies to this topic

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Just saw this on FoxNews.com (Fair and Balanced). Thought there might be some interest.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DATELINE: Fantasyville, USA

The intrepid reporter Howie Spinit has uncovered triple-secret documents indicating the imminent unveiling of a new, never before seen, Retro racing series already being compared to the recently-played Super Bowl. To be called the "Inter-Galactic Retro Championship", it will, for the first time ever, crown the "Overlord of Retro" in both Can-Am and Formula 1.

The series will debut at the soon to be held R4/7 in Columbus, OH (Earth) and continue on with the 'Palooza, Shootout, Sano, and will conclude at the Brawl. Each racer will earn points toward the "Overlord" title and, as a bonus, the winners will be awarded his or her choice of one of the moons of Jupiter.

To guarantee the success of the series the organizers have chosen venues that have proven success in hosting successful premiere races in the past with a track record of quality competition. It has also been discovered that negotiations with The World Domination League as a title sponsor have broken off because of a disagreement over the what is best for the overall program.

Using a private FaceBook chat room, the help of several top level Retro racers has been enlisted to ensure the best possible format for the events. Every aspect has been looked at and honed to perfection.

Popular opinion indicates that this series will be a huge success considering the titles and prizes being awarded. And, obviously, who can resist a "mine's bigger than yours" contest on a cosmic scale?

[Noose]

Man, the snow has really gotten to you (in a very humorous way I might say!). 

That's really funny.

[Cheater]

Gets my vote for post of the year!

[John Streisguth]

Leave it to Fox News to keep a controversial subject going...  

[Duffy]

 Each racer will earn points toward the "Overlord" title and, as a bonus, the winners will be awarded his or her choice of one of the moons of Jupiter.

 

It's taking all my dwindling commonsense to keep from posting a response referencing the seventh planet.

[TSR]

Leave it to Fox News to keep a controversial subject going...

 
You are missing the point. Put on Megyn Kelly, stick on "mute" and simply watch.

She's the "fox" in Fox News.  

[Greg VanPeenen]

OMG! LLC Larry body-snatched Mike McMasters. Tell me it isn't so.

 

Give use our Mike back!

[Bernie]

I like it, Mike!

[MSwiss]

We'll have to tighten up our rules.

"Hey wait a second. In between heats, the Alien ate my controller".

[Pappy]

[NSwanberg]

Faux News.

[Samiam]

Not faux but real:

LINK

[Steve Deiters]

This could be a slot car race where a single alien with eight sets of arms could be racing against himself in the A Main and occupy all three of the podiums at the end of the race.
 
As Jan Limpach would probably say, "Thanks for coming... X 8".

[TSR]

It is also interesting to note that the "championship" poster shows names of racers who have absolutely no intention in participating in any of these races, as well as showing unauthorized trademarks use.

False advertising, deceptive sales practices... what else is new.

[gfox]

Which are the unauthorized trademarks?

[Ralph Thorne]

The poster your looking at is for something different. It was made for the All Star Invitational race. The names on the poster are the drivers who are invited as an All Star driver.

[Cheater]

Do you believe that simply issuing an invitation automatically grants permission for the use of a person's name in promotional material?

[Ralph Thorne]

Are you asking that question to me, Greg?

[gfox]

No; question directed at TSR.

[Cheater]

Yes, Ralph, my question in post #17 is directed at you.

Do you really believe that to be the case? Based on your post #16, it would seem so.

[Ralph Thorne]

My post does not imply that in any manner. I'm familiar with digital media law. I was simply clearing up that the poster that was shared has nothing to do with the races/series being discussed and joked about.
 
I understand the original post was intended to be a "joke", but all it did was bring more light to series/races being held by the LLC. I think time would have been better spent making a creative post regarding the R4 or it's warm up race which are both approaching rapidly
 
Perhaps their promotional posts such as the one being joked about is one of the reasons they are the largest Retro series in the Ohio are now?
 
Also FWIW Greg, racer's names and pictures have been used for promotional posters and races like the Checkpoint Cup, R4, RetroPalooza, and Sano for years now.

[TSR]

Which are the unauthorized trademarks?

 

AMF

 

The poster your looking at is for something different. It was made for the All Star Invitational race. The names on the poster are the drivers who are invited as an All Star driver.

 

If there was any money in slot car racing, the 'names' could sue for unauthorized use of their identity to promote an event. This would easily take place in sports where money is flowing. Here it is unethical at best, dishonest mostly.

 

In other slot car events where names were written on posters that I recall, the racers did not mind because they were active in that series and likely to show up, and if anything encouraging that racing series.

 

I do not wish to decide who is right and who is wrong in this strange situation with two "IRRA" entities, that is for a judge and/or jury to decide. I am talking ethics here and nothing else.

[stemmy]

I highly doubt even a quarter of those named on the poster would show up and I don't think any of them were contacted to be invited to it.

[MG Brown]

AMF

As far as I know, the "AMF" company that had an American Raceways division no longer exists - and the spun-off portion of the company still operating today is currently in Chapter 11 and uses different logos in the USA.



As near as I can tell, the trademark of the (triangle) logo in question is expired.

In real-world terms... "AMF Bowling Co./Bowlmor" have bigger issues to face with their creditors than to worry about a use for no financial gain of intellectual property that they MAY have some past association with.

(Research with the help of Terri Brown who is currently employed by Harley-Davidson Finance, a former part of American Machine and Foundry)

[TSR]

As far as I know, the "AMF" company that had an American Raceways division no longer exists-

 

Mick,

 

AMF never had an "American Raceway" division, but the opposite: AMF PURCHASED a license from the American Model Car Racing Congress in 1966 to build and operate tracks worldwide except in the USA, Canada, and Mexico that AMCRC kept for themselves.

 

AMF as it stands today is still alive even if it has changed hands, and while their logo has changed several times over the years, it is still an operating corporation with valid trademark and trademark rights. Chapter 11 means "reorganization", not liquidation...

 

AMF still has substantial assets. http://en.wikipedia....ine_and_Foundry

 

So using their name and entity, regardless of the logo used, is a violation of trademark and could lead to severe legal penalties, except that the entity using the name for advertising purposes has no real assets, so it is unlikely that they would be pursued.

 

What I am however saying is that it is unethical to use names, like those of racers absolutely not involved or interested in that racing event, invited or not, as well as using someone else trademarks, to attract flies.