Legals issues for MCO, businesses with MINI in their names,
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Here's an email I just received from the midwest regional rep for MINIUSA......
POWER TO THE PEOPLE - THE BMW machine will not be oiled with the blood of the MINI owners!!! OK...maybe that's a little over the top....
*************
Mike, thank you for your email and I am sorry to hear about attached issue. This is the first I have heard of it and I promise to forward your email to the appropriate people.
In the mean time, please email me your phone number and I will call you so that I can hear the full story. Please never underestimate how much we appreciate the MINI Clubs and what they continue to do to champion the MINI brand. Thank you for what you do!
Hope all is well and look forward to hearing from you soon.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE - THE BMW machine will not be oiled with the blood of the MINI owners!!! OK...maybe that's a little over the top....
*************
Mike, thank you for your email and I am sorry to hear about attached issue. This is the first I have heard of it and I promise to forward your email to the appropriate people.
In the mean time, please email me your phone number and I will call you so that I can hear the full story. Please never underestimate how much we appreciate the MINI Clubs and what they continue to do to champion the MINI brand. Thank you for what you do!
Hope all is well and look forward to hearing from you soon.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield County, CT
I would think BMW's assertion would have validity only to the extent of limiting the use of the word "MINI," which they intentionally chose---as opposed to "Mini," forming part of the name of this site.
Seems that BMW grossly underestimated the desire for modification of the MINI by owners, and the potential for aftermarket purchasing and manufacturers. This is much like the 60s and 70s, the type of "customizing" owners of BL cars did. Rather than take the posture Sony did with the Betamax, BMW should have anticipated, or at the least, accept the situation and now enter into agreements with selected manufacturers to assume or market their products. Slamming sites like this one is petty, and it isn't going to create a means for BMW to change the mistake they've made. Aligning with manufacturers is a clearer route.
Seems that BMW grossly underestimated the desire for modification of the MINI by owners, and the potential for aftermarket purchasing and manufacturers. This is much like the 60s and 70s, the type of "customizing" owners of BL cars did. Rather than take the posture Sony did with the Betamax, BMW should have anticipated, or at the least, accept the situation and now enter into agreements with selected manufacturers to assume or market their products. Slamming sites like this one is petty, and it isn't going to create a means for BMW to change the mistake they've made. Aligning with manufacturers is a clearer route.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Cape Cod, MA
Hello Everyone,
It defies any logic that MINI / BMW would actively try to stifle an organization the supports and promotes their products without any cost or effort on their part! The "word of mouth" on their actions alone, will damage the MINI / BMW image more quickly than any expensive TV commercial or ad campaign can build it up! In my opinion, BMW needs to spend more time listening to their customers and less time listening to their lawyers! Once again, we prove that Shakespeare was right!
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"...Henry VI
It defies any logic that MINI / BMW would actively try to stifle an organization the supports and promotes their products without any cost or effort on their part! The "word of mouth" on their actions alone, will damage the MINI / BMW image more quickly than any expensive TV commercial or ad campaign can build it up! In my opinion, BMW needs to spend more time listening to their customers and less time listening to their lawyers! Once again, we prove that Shakespeare was right!
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers"...Henry VI
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Utah
FYI, inre MCO.....www.minimania.com has been in commercial business before BMW even thought about buying Mini. Servicing both the old and new minis. I doubt that in court here in the US BMWUSA position would stand unless they are also pressuring minimania to change their name.
Let's Fight the PowerAugs
Let's Fight the PowerAugs
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Agree too about the MINI versus Mini.
Mini has been public domain for some time, as has Mini Cooper IMHO. MINI though is new.
Of course we can just refer to ourselves as Bini's as do all the older Mini owner's do!
BCOAugs
Mini has been public domain for some time, as has Mini Cooper IMHO. MINI though is new.
Of course we can just refer to ourselves as Bini's as do all the older Mini owner's do!
BCOAugs
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,241
Likes: 0
From: USA
Top secret info....
At a recent meeting in Atlanta MINI was instructed to "distance'
itself from BMW. This was announced by a 'German accented woman.
Seriously. My sources are strictly confidential.
At a recent meeting in Atlanta MINI was instructed to "distance'
itself from BMW. This was announced by a 'German accented woman.
Seriously. My sources are strictly confidential.
pug poo picker-upper
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,803
Likes: 30
From: California
Cabbagetoe,
I edited the original post to remove that address. Therefore the only place it should show up is in your warning to people not to e-mail an innocent party. If I can be of any further editing help, let me know.
Dave
I edited the original post to remove that address. Therefore the only place it should show up is in your warning to people not to e-mail an innocent party. If I can be of any further editing help, let me know.
Dave
Neutral
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida USA
A useful sight that carries practical information submitted by actual owners with hands-on experience with the car? How could BMW allow that to happen?
Why is it that common sense isn't so common?
I know MCO has consistantly provided answers or shared knowledge that miniusa.com would never even come close to (other than "take your car to the dealer and bring your wallet."
.
I've had two friends purchase a (|/| | || | ) based on:
A. My recommendation, and
B. A visit to MCO
Let's get moving on this before it gets even stupider...
Dave
Why is it that common sense isn't so common?
I know MCO has consistantly provided answers or shared knowledge that miniusa.com would never even come close to (other than "take your car to the dealer and bring your wallet."
. I've had two friends purchase a (|/| | || | ) based on:
A. My recommendation, and
B. A visit to MCO
Let's get moving on this before it gets even stupider...
Dave
Neutral
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: DuPage County, IL
Don't know if this was a good idea or not, but I went ahead with an email to the law firm posted on this thread (devenson@crowell.com) as follows:
It is a shame that you would take such a heavy-handed,
arrogant and arbitrary approach to the
minicooperonline.com domain name/trademark issue.
Obviously you do not understand the groundbreaking
nature of what appears to the unknowing as a "common"
product (MINI Cooper car) or the extreme passion the
owner community feels for it.
If you did, you would change your approach and
actively seek and promote a way toward a mutually
beneficial, "WIN-WIN" solution. Please reconsider
before your advice and counsel to MINIUSA undoes all
the goodwill and excitement they and the owner
community have created around these cars !
It is a shame that you would take such a heavy-handed,
arrogant and arbitrary approach to the
minicooperonline.com domain name/trademark issue.
Obviously you do not understand the groundbreaking
nature of what appears to the unknowing as a "common"
product (MINI Cooper car) or the extreme passion the
owner community feels for it.
If you did, you would change your approach and
actively seek and promote a way toward a mutually
beneficial, "WIN-WIN" solution. Please reconsider
before your advice and counsel to MINIUSA undoes all
the goodwill and excitement they and the owner
community have created around these cars !
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY, USA
A clip of the mini TechLive segment is up!
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html
Thanks Jswu...
Rocketboy_X
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html
Thanks Jswu...
Rocketboy_X
Thread Starter
|
North American Motoring :: Founder
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,070
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
As law firms are highly specialized this actually went to the firm that filed the trademarks....not the firm that I have been dealing with. That said, this is just one more avenue that allows the voice of the owner community to be heard. I do recommend in the future though that you continue to email, call, write letters, etc. to BMW and MINI as it is their brand and marketing that is being affected by the policy of their legal team.
Mark
>>Don't know if this was a good idea or not, but I went ahead with an email to the law firm posted on this thread (devenson@crowell.com) as follows:
>>
>>It is a shame that you would take such a heavy-handed,
>>arrogant and arbitrary approach to the
>>minicooperonline.com domain name/trademark issue.
>>Obviously you do not understand the groundbreaking
>>nature of what appears to the unknowing as a "common"
>>product (MINI Cooper car) or the extreme passion the
>>owner community feels for it.
>>
>>If you did, you would change your approach and
>>actively seek and promote a way toward a mutually
>>beneficial, "WIN-WIN" solution. Please reconsider
>>before your advice and counsel to MINIUSA undoes all
>>the goodwill and excitement they and the owner
>>community have created around these cars !
>>
Mark
>>Don't know if this was a good idea or not, but I went ahead with an email to the law firm posted on this thread (devenson@crowell.com) as follows:
>>
>>It is a shame that you would take such a heavy-handed,
>>arrogant and arbitrary approach to the
>>minicooperonline.com domain name/trademark issue.
>>Obviously you do not understand the groundbreaking
>>nature of what appears to the unknowing as a "common"
>>product (MINI Cooper car) or the extreme passion the
>>owner community feels for it.
>>
>>If you did, you would change your approach and
>>actively seek and promote a way toward a mutually
>>beneficial, "WIN-WIN" solution. Please reconsider
>>before your advice and counsel to MINIUSA undoes all
>>the goodwill and excitement they and the owner
>>community have created around these cars !
>>
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
>> A clip of the mini TechLive segment is up!
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html
Thanks Jswu...
Rocketboy_X
Absolutely AWESOME that this is getting national press!
_________________
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html
Thanks Jswu...
Rocketboy_X
Absolutely AWESOME that this is getting national press!
_________________
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Keep it up people! We will not be squelched!
Check it out, our fight is getting out:
http://www.matthewgifford.com/
http://doc.weblogs.com/2003/08/05#brandOldStory
http://www.techlawadvisor.com/blog/
Check it out, our fight is getting out:
http://www.matthewgifford.com/
http://doc.weblogs.com/2003/08/05#brandOldStory
http://www.techlawadvisor.com/blog/
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
maybe I missed something, but rather than fight, how about figure out a way to work WITHIN the system.
Change Minicooperonline to a FORUM-ONLY website...no commercials. that was the real issue, right?
Create another site for all the great info on aftermarket parts and link them together by "friendly site" links.
Yeah, the sponsors might pull back some dollars, but maybe we can all chip in a nominal yearly fee to participate.
Wouldn't that work...at least from a legal standpoint? :smile:
Change Minicooperonline to a FORUM-ONLY website...no commercials. that was the real issue, right?
Create another site for all the great info on aftermarket parts and link them together by "friendly site" links.
Yeah, the sponsors might pull back some dollars, but maybe we can all chip in a nominal yearly fee to participate.
Wouldn't that work...at least from a legal standpoint? :smile:
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
I was seeing this all wrong. Initially I was mad at BMW/MINI about this, but it seems maybe its a group of internal lawyers that needs to "get in line." MINIUSA spent a lot of $$$s to promote and posture its product. The legal guys risk laying waste to all that. If this is the case, (all hypothetical, I know) then by speaking up we're helping ourselves, our cars, AND MINIUSA. We just have to convince the corporate lawyers.
BTW, I totally understand BMW's need to protect its brand...I'm all for that. I, too, would just love to see a "win-win" on this issue. MCO is extremely valuable to the brand here in the States.
_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper
BTW, I totally understand BMW's need to protect its brand...I'm all for that. I, too, would just love to see a "win-win" on this issue. MCO is extremely valuable to the brand here in the States.
_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Ormond Beach, Fl
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com could be a non-commercial forum only site, and http://www.mco.com can be the other site with the commercial stuff! :smile:
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Westmont, NJ
At BMW NA, MINI is just another brand. It doesn't have it's own President and as for dealer relations/operatins, they work through the BMW network. That said, here's some info that should be of use:
BMW of North America LLC
300 Chestnut Ridge Road
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675
201-307-4000
Chairman & CEO
Tom Purves
VP Marketing
Jim McDowell
Manager Marketing Communication
Tom Stepanchak
Manager Corporate Communications
Rob Mitchell
General Manager MINI
Jack Pitney
BMW of North America LLC
300 Chestnut Ridge Road
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675
201-307-4000
Chairman & CEO
Tom Purves
VP Marketing
Jim McDowell
Manager Marketing Communication
Tom Stepanchak
Manager Corporate Communications
Rob Mitchell
General Manager MINI
Jack Pitney
Banned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, Ca
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: UA
Hey Everbody!
Just checked the treads I started on MINIUSA in the Owner’s Lounge. One about the petition with a link and another linked to the original post by Mark. Well their playing hard ball. Both threads mysteriously disappeared. Darn, think I’ll just post them again.
Charles :evil:
Just checked the treads I started on MINIUSA in the Owner’s Lounge. One about the petition with a link and another linked to the original post by Mark. Well their playing hard ball. Both threads mysteriously disappeared. Darn, think I’ll just post them again.
Charles :evil: