Ford Doesn't Own Its Logo, And Neither Do You
Jalopnik has the latest in the ongoing “Ford sues everybody over use of its logo” story. Having already sued the Black Mustang Club (in a move that PR Squared called a reminder that “customers are in control of the brand”) and the Calgary Stampeders (whose stampeding horse was trademarked twenty years before the Mustang) Ford’s lawyer are continuing their reign of pathos. Therangerstation.com and nearly every website with “mustang” in the url have been targeted by Ford’s lawyers, demanding “the relinquishment of all Ford trademarks including domain names, banners, signs and merchandise as well as a restitution payment of $5000 by December 19th, 2008.” The huge irony in this is, of course, that Ford doesn’t really even own its logo, having mortgaged the blue oval during its $23b borrowing spree. Meanwhile, Mustang Evolution appears to have contacted Ford’s Scott Monty who reveals that some sites may have been selling “unauthorized Ford decals.” Still no word on whether or not it’s illegal to have a ford product name in your domain name.
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Thank you. That's what I tried to suggest three dozen posts ago.
So TTAC has the guts, huh?
Southern Methodist University has had the same logo--albeit facing the opposite direction--since before the Ford Mustang.
Nice way to shoot yourself in the foot, Ford. Put yourself squarely in the same group with musicians who sue their fans and software companies who punish their customers. Quality, indeed.