Drivetrain Brand issues and a new name
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Temporarily Banned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,382
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From: Denver
Well, I got my letter asking me to not only change my name, but sign over the registration of my website domain names to BMW AG.
I'm still working on the whole domain name signing over business, but I feel the battle of the name may be a losing one.
I definitely appreciate all of the support form the community I've received on this.
Here are some names I've been toying with:
QuickBrick Motorsport Garage
QuickBrick Garage
QuickBrick Motorsport
Shoebox Motorsports (with a tag line of "Put your foot in it!"
Shoebox Motorsport Garage (as long as SMG doesn't want to sue me too!)
Shoebox Garage
Randy Webb Motorsport
Randy Motorsport
Webb Motorsport
Any other suggestions?
The good news about this whole thing is that I am revamping MINI-Motorsport right now anyway - new phone lines, a new answering service, some new products, new customer service initiatives, etc. - so it falls in line with that (OK, so I'm reaching to find a silver lining).
Please let me know what you think of the names and any suggestions you have if you don't like those. I could also use a new logo to go with it (hint to COOPERation).
Thanks again for your help and support.
Randy
I'm still working on the whole domain name signing over business, but I feel the battle of the name may be a losing one.
I definitely appreciate all of the support form the community I've received on this.
Here are some names I've been toying with:
QuickBrick Motorsport Garage
QuickBrick Garage
QuickBrick Motorsport
Shoebox Motorsports (with a tag line of "Put your foot in it!"
Shoebox Motorsport Garage (as long as SMG doesn't want to sue me too!)
Shoebox Garage
Randy Webb Motorsport
Randy Motorsport
Webb Motorsport
Any other suggestions?
The good news about this whole thing is that I am revamping MINI-Motorsport right now anyway - new phone lines, a new answering service, some new products, new customer service initiatives, etc. - so it falls in line with that (OK, so I'm reaching to find a silver lining).
Please let me know what you think of the names and any suggestions you have if you don't like those. I could also use a new logo to go with it (hint to COOPERation).
Thanks again for your help and support.
Randy
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Dunedin, FL, USA
Volvos have been known as "bricks" for a long time, so I wouldn't try to give that association to the MINI. My 1987 760 Turbo was known as QUICKBRICK and had a european front vanity plate with the that name.
Shoebox?? I don't see the MINI as a shoebox either, though that is a catchy name.
Driving my MCS makes me feel randy, so maybe that's a good name.
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Shoebox?? I don't see the MINI as a shoebox either, though that is a catchy name.
Driving my MCS makes me feel randy, so maybe that's a good name.
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[img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]VinceAndJessica.com
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.
I like Randy Webb Motorsport. It's your name...hopefully no one can sue you for the rights to use it. 
I donno...I know you don't want to focus on the negative, but it strikes me that BMW's going after you (and presumably all vendors that use any of the words that they now claim to own) is even more despicable than what they're doing to MCO. Good lord, your whole business is about helping MINI owners increase the enjoyment of their MINIs. If they start pushing you around, why shouldn't you switch from MINI-tuning to some other marque? It's all been said before, but by trying to own the universe, BMW seems to be working real hard at creating a party with no guests.
I donno...I know you don't want to focus on the negative, but it strikes me that BMW's going after you (and presumably all vendors that use any of the words that they now claim to own) is even more despicable than what they're doing to MCO. Good lord, your whole business is about helping MINI owners increase the enjoyment of their MINIs. If they start pushing you around, why shouldn't you switch from MINI-tuning to some other marque? It's all been said before, but by trying to own the universe, BMW seems to be working real hard at creating a party with no guests.
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
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From: So Cal
I like Randy Webb Motorsports. There will never be any confusion as to who the name belongs to and Randy your reputation has been cemented. People know how hard you work, how good a job you do and that you are a professional. Go with your own name, people will find you. :smile: :smile: :smile:
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Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose
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Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose
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>>I like Randy Webb Motorsport. It's your name...hopefully no one can sue you for the rights to use it.
>>
>>I donno...I know you don't want to focus on the negative, but it strikes me that BMW's going after you (and presumably all vendors that use any of the words that they now claim to own) is even more despicable than what they're doing to MCO. Good lord, your whole business is about helping MINI owners increase the enjoyment of their MINIs. If they start pushing you around, why shouldn't you switch from MINI-tuning to some other marque? It's all been said before, but by trying to own the universe, BMW seems to be working real hard at creating a party with no guests.
yeah but it is BMW's right to protect thier trademarked name on commercial sites that sell products and services for the MINI. We may not like it but Trademark law seems to be pretty straight forward on cases like this.
Change the name but the business itself will be the same.
>>
>>I donno...I know you don't want to focus on the negative, but it strikes me that BMW's going after you (and presumably all vendors that use any of the words that they now claim to own) is even more despicable than what they're doing to MCO. Good lord, your whole business is about helping MINI owners increase the enjoyment of their MINIs. If they start pushing you around, why shouldn't you switch from MINI-tuning to some other marque? It's all been said before, but by trying to own the universe, BMW seems to be working real hard at creating a party with no guests.
yeah but it is BMW's right to protect thier trademarked name on commercial sites that sell products and services for the MINI. We may not like it but Trademark law seems to be pretty straight forward on cases like this.
Change the name but the business itself will be the same.
Moderator :: Performance Mods
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,427
Likes: 6
From: A Den in Maryland
This BMW nonsense about demanding everyone with MINI in their name signing over domain names and changing their business names is really starting to irk me.
You might find many people confusing anything with 'shoebox' in the title as referring to 55-57 Chevrolets, as that term has been used by the hotrodding and modding faithful to describe those cars for decades. Just a thought. (Though I do live the 'put your foot in it' tagline!)
Quickbrick sounds kinda cool, but don't be surprised to hear from some masonry company a la BMW.
Your best bet in this is to use your name in some fashion, but historically even that does not guarantee some corporation deciding they want the name and getting it. What comes to mind for me was the tale of a little old lady who ran a tiny restaurant called Sony's for years before Sony Corporation came into existence had lost court battles in recent years in keeping the name. Mind you, this was the woman's given name, and she ran this simple little restaurant way before there was any corporation with that name. It did not matter that she was there first with the name doing business.
You might find many people confusing anything with 'shoebox' in the title as referring to 55-57 Chevrolets, as that term has been used by the hotrodding and modding faithful to describe those cars for decades. Just a thought. (Though I do live the 'put your foot in it' tagline!)
Quickbrick sounds kinda cool, but don't be surprised to hear from some masonry company a la BMW.
Your best bet in this is to use your name in some fashion, but historically even that does not guarantee some corporation deciding they want the name and getting it. What comes to mind for me was the tale of a little old lady who ran a tiny restaurant called Sony's for years before Sony Corporation came into existence had lost court battles in recent years in keeping the name. Mind you, this was the woman's given name, and she ran this simple little restaurant way before there was any corporation with that name. It did not matter that she was there first with the name doing business.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,330
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From: VA Beach
Randy Webb Motorsport has a nice ring to it. :smile: :smile: :smile:
As for Shoebox, well then you might get those dang Hallmark people mad at you!! Shoebox greeting cards and all that...
And what's all this strong-arm cr*p about BMW saying that you have to SIGN OVER YOUR URL(s) to them??? How on earth can they claim THAT one??? Yes, they can tell you to cease and desist using any with the name MINI, but they can't make you GIVE them over! That's like the big 16 year old bully telling the little 12 year old kid that he has to give over his lunch! What is this world coming to?? How can they even legally ATTEMPT something like this??
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Peanut EB/W MCS, 16" white wheels, HK, Sensing doodads up front, Lapis/Magnesium/Patina, DSC, Xenons, Fogs, Climate, Cruise
As for Shoebox, well then you might get those dang Hallmark people mad at you!! Shoebox greeting cards and all that...
And what's all this strong-arm cr*p about BMW saying that you have to SIGN OVER YOUR URL(s) to them??? How on earth can they claim THAT one??? Yes, they can tell you to cease and desist using any with the name MINI, but they can't make you GIVE them over! That's like the big 16 year old bully telling the little 12 year old kid that he has to give over his lunch! What is this world coming to?? How can they even legally ATTEMPT something like this??
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Banned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,805
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
I think that they should pay something for the url... demanding it to be signed over seems pretty petty. if they want to protect the brand, they should...
A) Pay for it
B) started a long time ago
I would keep that url and switch the theme... just so they cannot take it...
Make it a MINI-RC funsite... fansite or something that is not MINI COOPER related... JUST to keep ownership.
It's like BMW/MINI are sending the infantry in to occupy friendly terrirtory...
BMWBastards
A) Pay for it
B) started a long time ago
I would keep that url and switch the theme... just so they cannot take it...
Make it a MINI-RC funsite... fansite or something that is not MINI COOPER related... JUST to keep ownership.
It's like BMW/MINI are sending the infantry in to occupy friendly terrirtory...
BMWBastards
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,649
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From: 14605
oh, no ... just a matter of time before everyone gets The Letter ...
... Randy Webb Motorsport get my vote too .... although it always has been a bit of Mini joke to talk about the 'aerodynamics of a brick', and Quick Brick is kinda catchy too - I suppose no one would confuse it, but it might sound like a masonry company ...
... and if they want your old stuff, make 'em pay for it!
... Randy Webb Motorsport get my vote too .... although it always has been a bit of Mini joke to talk about the 'aerodynamics of a brick', and Quick Brick is kinda catchy too - I suppose no one would confuse it, but it might sound like a masonry company ...
... and if they want your old stuff, make 'em pay for it!
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Cramerton, NC
I like Randy Webb Motorsports.
Randy Motorsports would cause some big grins for our UK friends, and I'm sure they'd have some interesting logo suggestions.
BTW, I like the "s' on Motorsports, as opposed to Motorsport. Is there a reason not to use an "s" that I'm not aware of?
Good luck, Randy.
See ya,
JS
Randy Motorsports would cause some big grins for our UK friends, and I'm sure they'd have some interesting logo suggestions.
BTW, I like the "s' on Motorsports, as opposed to Motorsport. Is there a reason not to use an "s" that I'm not aware of?
Good luck, Randy.
See ya,
JS
Thread Starter
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Temporarily Banned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,382
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From: Denver
Motorsport just sounds like it could be one of those plural or singular words - like deer - which makes motorsports redundant. I know that isn't the case, but it just sounds that way to me. It doesn't really matter much to me either way - what does everyone think?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,892
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From: Long Island, New York
>>Here are some names I've been toying with:
>>
>>QuickBrick Motorsport Garage
>>QuickBrick Garage
>>QuickBrick Motorsport
>>Shoebox Motorsports (with a tag line of "Put your foot in it!"
>>Shoebox Motorsport Garage (as long as SMG doesn't want to sue me too!)
>>Shoebox Garage
>>Randy Webb Motorsport
>>Randy Motorsport
>>Webb Motorsport
>>
>>Any other suggestions?
Of those above...
I like..... Randy Webb Motorsport.com
Some others....
Redline-motorsport
R(your middle initial)W motorsports ( 3 letters and a name has a nice flow :smile
Redshirt-motorsport (sorry I had to)
Peace,
D
>>
>>QuickBrick Motorsport Garage
>>QuickBrick Garage
>>QuickBrick Motorsport
>>Shoebox Motorsports (with a tag line of "Put your foot in it!"
>>Shoebox Motorsport Garage (as long as SMG doesn't want to sue me too!)
>>Shoebox Garage
>>Randy Webb Motorsport
>>Randy Motorsport
>>Webb Motorsport
>>
>>Any other suggestions?
Of those above...
I like..... Randy Webb Motorsport.com
Some others....
Redline-motorsport
R(your middle initial)W motorsports ( 3 letters and a name has a nice flow :smile
Redshirt-motorsport (sorry I had to
)Peace,
D
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,244
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From: Speedway
I recall MINIUSA encouraging the aftermarket. MINIUSA targets sales in the 16-25 age range yets pulls the reach around (atleast they have the curtisy to do so) by yanking the aftermarket support. Anyone know a youngster that doesn't want to tune their ride? By screwing all the availabilty out of the aftermarket, you think these kids aren't going to look elsewhere for a vehicle with more support?
Granted, the aftermarket will still be there once the names change, but that just it. Established companies changing their names confuses buyers. What would happen if goodyear changed their name to neato tires?
My favorite occurance through all of this... MINIUSA supplied Monster Garage a MINI to hack. Yet they attack the our community citing us hacking the MINI name.
Interesting......
"Webb" looks similar to WRX "Cobb" IMO. Can you do webb-minisport or webb-coopersports?
Granted, the aftermarket will still be there once the names change, but that just it. Established companies changing their names confuses buyers. What would happen if goodyear changed their name to neato tires?
My favorite occurance through all of this... MINIUSA supplied Monster Garage a MINI to hack. Yet they attack the our community citing us hacking the MINI name.
Interesting......
"Webb" looks similar to WRX "Cobb" IMO. Can you do webb-minisport or webb-coopersports?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,359
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From: New Jersey
Randy Webb Motorsport - definitely. MOst everyone who knows your business knows your name. And it would be a very good idea to keep part of the name - hence the motorsport part. Good luck with the switch over.
