Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Did the Porsche lawyer fairy make a visit?
Posted by: biosurfer1 May 28 2013, 09:54 PM
or did I miss why we now have added text to the top of the page? 
Posted by: speed metal army May 28 2013, 10:02 PM
Maybe some pre-emptive safeguarding? 
Posted by: timothy_nd28 May 28 2013, 10:02 PM
![popcorn[1].gif](style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Posted by: Andyrew May 28 2013, 10:20 PM
Saw that to 
Posted by: Mikey914 May 28 2013, 10:47 PM
Wow, just saw that, doesn't hurt.
Posted by: ConeDodger May 28 2013, 11:35 PM
Move along everyone... Nothing to see here, just mind your own business. 
Posted by: stuttgart46 May 29 2013, 06:33 AM
That explains the black helpicopters
Posted by: Spoke May 29 2013, 06:39 AM
Somebody's wrist got slapped. 
Posted by: 7TPorsh May 29 2013, 09:46 AM
Posted by: 396 May 29 2013, 10:25 AM
Maybe some pre-emptive safeguarding?
Being proactive is a good thing. It lets the paid L.... that 914 W. is on the ball.
Posted by: balljoint May 29 2013, 11:00 AM
While we are at it; probably shouldn't call the lawyer names.
Posted by: Maltese Falcon May 29 2013, 11:05 AM
I think that Porsche realized that they can make good money in the lucrative 914 restoration market, just as with all of their past air cooled models.
Stoddard Porsche was at the SEMA show in the "Restoration" section, just next to the "Performance " section when we attended. That and the 6 figures that some GTs are commanding in the marketplace...they are watching their cash register, and all things legal in the aftermarket business.
Marty
Posted by: carr914 May 29 2013, 11:46 AM
Stand up to them...no infringement here at all.
Create a terms/condition page and stick it there.
Said by the Guy that Porsche will someday Crush!
Posted by: 7TPorsh May 29 2013, 12:02 PM
Posted by: GeorgeRud May 29 2013, 12:13 PM
A retired attorney friend of mine once told me that if they don't try to defend their trademark actively and allow it's use (even under the radar), folks can come back and claim 'fair use' or some such BS.
As with everything else in the world these days, it always comes down to cover your butt. Just something we're forced to live with from now on.
Posted by: dpires914 May 29 2013, 01:05 PM
If Porsche was paying attention to this site, maybe they would manufacture a retro 914 at a reasonable price.
Posted by: worn May 29 2013, 01:28 PM
If Porsche was paying attention to this site, maybe they would manufacture a retro 914 at a reasonable price.
Posted by: dpires914 May 29 2013, 01:40 PM
If Porsche was paying attention to this site, maybe they would manufacture a retro 914 at a reasonable price.
What part:
Retro 914
or
Reasonable price
Posted by: ThePaintedMan May 29 2013, 02:36 PM
Not sure what all the fuss is about. Everyone knows these aren't real Porsches anyways.
Posted by: 396 May 29 2013, 02:46 PM
If Porsche was paying attention to this site, maybe they would manufacture a retro 914 at a reasonable price.
The replacement 914 is called the Cayman S. I test drove one last Sunday at the AAA Fontana track. Due to my neighbor sign up to test drive. he bought me along -
It was a well balanced ride....way better than Boxster.
Posted by: kg6dxn May 29 2013, 02:56 PM
Why isn't Sir Andy replying to this thread?
Posted by: euro911 May 29 2013, 03:01 PM
What's in a name? I've known folks who named their daughters Mercedes and Porsche. I recently met a woman named Audi
Posted by: JmuRiz May 29 2013, 04:28 PM
If Porsche was paying attention to this site, maybe they would manufacture a retro 914 at a reasonable price.
The replacement 914 is called the Cayman S. I test drove one last Sunday at the AAA Fontana track. Due to my neighbor sign up to test drive. he bought me along -
It was a well balanced ride....way better than Boxster.
Good point, I agree....and my brother's lays don't fit in the new cayman, just like my 914's seats
Back on point, I'm guessing we're just playing it safe with the P-car police.
Posted by: carr914 May 29 2013, 05:03 PM
Not at all...Porsche is fully aware of me. What am I doing wrong?
No name, no logo, no trademarks, no infringement. Plus i have a disclaimer.
COME CRUSH ME!!!
All I'm saying is Porsche & their Lawyers have Deep Pockets!. I worked at a Porsche Dealership and they gave us a Hard BitchSlap. You want to fight them - that's on you and your Bankrupcy Attorney
Posted by: r_towle May 29 2013, 05:43 PM
Stand up to them...no infringement here at all.
Create a terms/condition page and stick it there.
Fonts are trademarked.
Car names are trademarked.
Your site violates those.
rich
Posted by: Dave_Darling May 29 2013, 05:49 PM
Numbers cannot be trademarked, FYI. At least, not in the US.
--DD
Posted by: pete000 May 29 2013, 06:17 PM
If Porsche cared about the 914 they would continue to support it by supplying parts !
Seems like anything I ever need gets the "NLA" stamp !
Imagine to be able to buy a set of brand new set OEM Bumpers !
Oh but wait, if Porsche made them now they would be 7 grand a set !
Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 May 29 2013, 07:16 PM
Why isn't Sir Andy replying to this thread?
Not putting words in his mouth...I'm just saying...maybe it's already been answered.
Move along everyone... Nothing to see here, just mind your own business.
Posted by: 7TPorsh May 29 2013, 07:46 PM
Posted by: r_towle May 29 2013, 07:47 PM
Numbers cannot be trademarked, FYI. At least, not in the US.
--DD
I was talking about the porschster site.
I believe this site is safe and with the disclaimer, it's now covered.
Posted by: Krieger May 29 2013, 07:55 PM
This is 914 World. Not Porsche 914 World. Do they have rights to 914? They are probably pissed that dialing 911 is for emergency situations. Hopefully they went after Al Qaeda for bombing the Twin Towers on 9/11...
Posted by: scotty b May 29 2013, 08:00 PM
Maybe you guys should just let this thread die unstead of constantly bringing it to the forefornt ?
Things will be what they will be. Porsche and VW are a bunch of money grubbing a-holes that don't care about what made them what they are today. they WILL NOT suport the cars and followers that built them, they only care about the newest flashy thingamabob that makes them popular.
It's high school all over again
Posted by: dpires914 May 29 2013, 08:07 PM
Maybe you guys should just let this thread die unstead of constantly bringing it to the forefornt ?
Things will be what they will be. Porsche and VW are a bunch of money grubbing a-holes that don't care about what made them what they are today. they WILL NOT suport the cars and followers that built them, they only care about the newest flashy thingamabob that makes them popular.
It's high school all over again
Fuchs them.
Posted by: ThePaintedMan May 29 2013, 08:22 PM
too. In my mind, the best possible scenario would be to have an original GT or something with real pedigree, restore it to immaculate condition and have Porsche come asking to borrow/buy the car for their advertising or marketing purposes...... and THEN be able to tell them to Fuch off
Posted by: euro911 May 29 2013, 09:32 PM
Like when they introduced the RS America and touted it to be the most affordable [at the time] entry level 911? ... but then they announced that it would be a limited production, and that just drove up the price
VW did the same thing when they reintroduced the 'beetle'. It was in such high demand, that many dealers were charging up to and over $5k above sticker. It's comical - they had 'dealer installed options' listed on the stickers, but not one salesman could explain to us exactly what those options were
Posted by: johnpierre May 29 2013, 10:11 PM
someone has great eyes. i would of never notices that text. you porsche owners have an incredible attention to detail
Posted by: 7TPorsh May 29 2013, 11:33 PM
Posted by: 7TPorsh May 29 2013, 11:34 PM
Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 May 30 2013, 12:03 AM
IBTL
Posted by: effutuo101 May 30 2013, 12:18 AM
What's in a name? I've known folks who named their daughters Mercedes and Porsche. I recently met a woman named Audi
Stripper names don't count...
Posted by: naro914 May 30 2013, 09:22 AM
Numbers cannot be trademarked, FYI. At least, not in the US.
--DD
Don't bet on that. A guy here in Charlotte has a shop called 'The 911 Shop' and Porsche made him change it to 'The 9-11 Shop' many years ago.
Believe it or not, Porsche as a company DOES care alot about the older cars. Why would they create an entire restoration department just for older air cooled cars if they didn't? It's the dealers that don't....they are just a car dealer that happens to sell Porsches, versus selling Hondas, Toyotas, etc. They are privately owned and at best, reflect the personality of the ownership...either big corporate, race focused (like Brumos, Napleton, Paul Miller, etc), some classic focused, etc.
Many of you probably missed it, but in 2011, the PCA Raffle was for a 1972 (I think) car that was totally restored by the Porsche Restoration shop in Germany. It was their idea, not PCA's, to do this.
Back to the idea that Porsche needs to defend their trademarks. BMW, VW, Ferrari, Ford, Chevy, etc. etc. etc all do it too. So does the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA etc, etc.. Some more vigorously than others, but they all need to stay consistent with it so as not to look like they are playing favorites. Some go a little overboard (Porsche and BMW are a bit ridiculous IMO). Heck, 'Super Bowl' is trademarked, so as a business you can't have a 'Super Bowl' party or special where you would be making money without paying a license fee (that's why you hear "for the big game' on the radio for bars having Super Bowl parties)
also...if you PAID to have the rights to license their logos and such, then others used it free and unauthorized, wouldn't you be pissed?
Posted by: biosurfer1 May 30 2013, 10:41 AM
Sorry, but even Porsche does not care about older cars, let alone the dealer. They care about $$$ and it just so happens that older cars are commanding big $$ these days which is why Porsche all of a sudden cares. If they really did care about ALL older cars, there would not be so many NLA products.
If the the vintage 911 and 356 industry took a dive tomorrow, Porsche would shut down their restoration dept by the following day.
Posted by: naro914 May 30 2013, 10:48 AM
Um, last I checked Porsche was a for-profit business, not a charity organization.
I always find it amusing that people begrudge a company for making money...
Posted by: ThePaintedMan May 30 2013, 11:08 AM
There is a difference between making money and being greedy. 
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker May 30 2013, 11:16 AM
So if my custom dining room furniture cost 3 times the store bought stuff does, and I get every penny I can from my work, then I'm greedy?
Well yes I am. Its why i'm in business for my self. If I wasn't greedy, I would be working for someone else for 25 bucks an hour.
Posted by: mepstein May 30 2013, 11:23 AM
Last year Ferrari mAde $100 million just from Licening their name. Greedy or smart business?
Posted by: ThePaintedMan May 30 2013, 11:34 AM
Not being a business owner, or ever having any interest in it, I can see this is a losing battle and something I should stay the hell out of.
But it is frustrating seeing so many of you, who have owned and been faithful to these cars for years, bewildered by the current enthusiasm from Porsche and owners of other models, who for so long tried to forget them. Its sad to know that so many cars were neglected and eventually abandoned because Porsche had no interest in keeping them on the road. The fact that so many remain and that a market exists at all for them now is largely due to the many forward-thinking individuals and vendors (some of them here in this community) who kept them going. So for Porsche to begin taking an interest in older cars like the 914 and seeking to make money off of them after forgetting about them for so long... well, greedy is the only world that I can think of. There might be another, but it escapes me for now. Opportunistic maybe?
Certainly no disrespect to you Curt. Sorry if you took it so.
Posted by: biosurfer1 May 30 2013, 11:37 AM
I find it amusing when suckers think companies actually "care" about their customers and provide restoration services for any other reason than sucking every possible dollar out of them. Live in fairytale land if you want, but Porsche cares only about money, which is contrary to what people have said.
I didn't (and don't) begrudge any company for making money, but don't tell me its because they care about anything else besides padding their bottom line.
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker May 30 2013, 11:54 AM
No disrespect taken George. I was just using myself as an example.
Posted by: balljoint May 30 2013, 12:12 PM
Is it inconceivable that there is a measure of planned disregard for older models? Not to say that every car company would or even could think this way but; if Porsche allows the lion's share of an older model to rust away, then they create scarcity. Once the level of good cars drops below the level of demand then the price goes up. There are all kinds of ways to use a small group of enthusiasts and a rare vehicle to make money.
Feeding parts to a bunch of ugly rusty POSs and keeping them on the road would damage the marque.
Posted by: 76-914 May 30 2013, 12:34 PM
Having been on the "short end of the stick" re: patent violations I feel somewhat knowledgeable on the subject. Yes, letters and numbers can and are protected in some instances. I used the telescopic/balloon lettering that DC Comics aka Warner Communications used to spell Superman. Ooops. I secured a patents atty to handle the case. In our first meeting he told me (and this is the part you need to get) "Oh you have a case alright; you just don't have enough money. We're not talking David & Goliath here. We're talking about a Giant and a fucking ant. They will schedule court hearings in NYC only to cancel after you have arrived and are out a $1000 in plane fares. They'll bleed you dry before it ever goes to court. Would you like to proceed?" I thanked him for his candor, wrote him a check then called their atty's to say that they were right and I was wrong. Guess what? They were great to work with. They understood that it was a start up company and agreed to give me 6 months to change the company stationary and re-letter the trucks. Remember the Golden Rule. It's universal. 
Posted by: worn May 30 2013, 01:17 PM
also...if you PAID to have the rights to license their logos and such, then others used it free and unauthorized, wouldn't you be pissed?
Yeah, trademarks such as "it's the one" or Whinnie the Pooh now owned by a major corporation even though the copyrights are long gone. Or next maybe just plain A? They pay their money and run over the little guys cause they gots the money. So NO i would not be pissed if I had been so unreasonable to think that I could ever ever buy the rights to a word or a number. It wouldn't even cross my mind. Nor would it cross my mind to think because I had money I could run someone off their own hard work and effort.
Posted by: naro914 May 30 2013, 01:32 PM
Amazing...so if Porsche did NOTHING with restoration or parts supply, you'd all be upset saying they have forgotten all about their roots, but since they <gasp> want to make money at that aspect of their business, they're evil.
Porsche's are a luxury, not a necessity. They can and will charge whatever the market will bear. If 356's go out of favor, of course they'll stop supporting/restoring them. If the Cayenne suddenly stopped selling, they would move onto something new. That's what businesses do. Business 101.
Again, funny how everyone can be upset and call Porsche greedy because they have the audacity to make money off you while you're typing on your computer/phone/tablet using software from either Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc. that make 70+% margins....
I guess I fall into the Greedy group since I expect to make money on my work, my ideas and things I sell.
Posted by: carr914 May 30 2013, 05:09 PM
I think those that are complaining about Porsche abandoning their roots are wrong. I don't know of another car company that stocks or makes parts for cars that are 20+ Years old. Try finding a part for a 10-12 Year VW - you won't find it!. Car companies make cars for today...period. Cars today are disposible, and that is why there are also very few "Real" Mechanics - Most Techs at Dealerships plug a Car into the Computer, the Computer spits out Codes and tells the Tech which Part to replace. Techs are Parts Changers, most couldn't fix their Toaster at home
Also the so-called Greed keeps Porsche from falling into the hands of the next rich empire. The list of car companies (Aston-Martin, Jaguar, Volvo, Land-Rover, Rolls-Royce, etc) that fell into others hands because they couldn't sell enough cars should make carguys cry
Posted by: naro914 May 30 2013, 05:13 PM
Umm...TC...Porsche is owned by VW now... who is striving to be the worlds largest car company. And if we're honest, greed is what got them bought out....
But I agree with everything else you said.
Posted by: bulitt May 30 2013, 05:16 PM
If I only owned the copyrights to "Happy Birthday"...
Posted by: scotty b May 30 2013, 08:01 PM
I think those that are complaining about Porsche abandoning their roots are wrong. I don't know of another car company that stocks or makes parts for cars that are 20+ Years old.
Mercedes. They have always suported the older cars by keeping the parts for them either in stock or having them made on original tooling. NO other company can compare the them on that front. A few years ago I was working on a 280 SL that needed a hood. One call to Mercedes and a brand spanking new one was delivered about 3 weeks later.
Posted by: carr914 May 30 2013, 08:13 PM
Umm...TC...Porsche is owned by VW now... who is striving to be the worlds largest car company. And if we're honest, greed is what got them bought out....
But I agree with everything else you said.
Well, you can say that Porsche is owned by VW or if you looked at their Financial Dealings the last 5-7 Years you could say that Porsche owns VW. In the end the Lawyers wrote it how it sounded best
Posted by: '73-914kid May 30 2013, 09:15 PM
Apperantly the font is trademarked.. anyone else notice the 914world emblem up top....?
Posted by: kg6dxn May 30 2013, 10:25 PM
Apperantly the font is trademarked.. anyone else notice the 914world emblem up top....?
Yep... Sad...
Posted by: timothy_nd28 May 30 2013, 10:28 PM
Doesn't the club site have the same font, why aren't they bothering them?
Posted by: kg6dxn May 30 2013, 10:46 PM
Doesn't the club site have the same font, why aren't they bothering them?
Not the same font.
Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 May 30 2013, 10:53 PM
Apperantly the font is trademarked.. anyone else notice the 914world emblem up top....?
nice!
Posted by: Lou W May 30 2013, 10:54 PM
Will this affect Dr. 914 in Georgia?
Posted by: worn May 31 2013, 03:02 PM
Amazing...so if Porsche did NOTHING with restoration or parts supply, you'd all be upset saying they have forgotten all about their roots, but since they <gasp> want to make money at that aspect of their business, they're evil.
Porsche's are a luxury, not a necessity. They can and will charge whatever the market will bear. If 356's go out of favor, of course they'll stop supporting/restoring them. If the Cayenne suddenly stopped selling, they would move onto something new. That's what businesses do. Business 101.
Again, funny how everyone can be upset and call Porsche greedy because they have the audacity to make money off you while you're typing on your computer/phone/tablet using software from either Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc. that make 70+% margins....
I guess I fall into the Greedy group since I expect to make money on my work, my ideas and things I sell.
Well coming after a group like this which is basically giving them free advertising makes me say yes. They are as greedy as they come. And looking at how they market their stuff I would also add GREEDY. But that is just me...
Posted by: nathansnathan May 31 2013, 04:37 PM
No one noticed the site's logo has changed since yesterday? It's still the same as it was on the home page, but on every other page it's a different font now - something definitely happened.
Posted by: euro911 May 31 2013, 11:57 PM
[sarcasm]
Geez ... I hope we can keep posting updates regarding our P------ 9--s without fear from their legal department
Can we verbally speak their brand name in public?
[/sarcasm]
Posted by: ripper911 Jun 1 2013, 08:07 AM
I guess my tattoo has to go...
Posted by: nathansnathan Jun 1 2013, 08:35 AM
what about my 914world tattoo? It's totally wrong now! 
Posted by: scotty b Jun 1 2013, 11:06 AM
what about my 914world tattoo? It's totally wrong now!
You have a first edition. It's worth more now.
Make a lampshade and put it on Ebay. Posted by: MDG Jun 1 2013, 11:11 AM
I think those that are complaining about Porsche abandoning their roots are wrong. I don't know of another car company that stocks or makes parts for cars that are 20+ Years old.
Mercedes. They have always suported the older cars by keeping the parts for them either in stock or having them made on original tooling. NO other company can compare the them on that front. A few years ago I was working on a 280 SL that needed a hood. One call to Mercedes and a brand spanking new one was delivered about 3 weeks later.
Correct. Mercedes and Ferrari both. If they don't have it, they'll make one for you. Whatever the year.
Posted by: gopack Jun 1 2013, 12:01 PM
I like the 6/1/2013 version of the 914 world logo better. it has a nice pleasing font the evokes the Porsche font
Are we going to vote on the favorite, or are you guys just trying out new ones every day?
Posted by: zymurgist Jun 6 2013, 12:26 PM
Apperantly the font is trademarked.. anyone else notice the 914world emblem up top....?
yup... I thought that was rather odd...
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)