Changing the name of the site?

[RAYZ02GT&93LX]

Id say that if your not making money off unliscensed ford merchandise you dont have anything to worry about. Stang isnt trademarked neither is the word mustang so your good on the name you might have an issue with the pony in the header and in the grille of the car. The pony symbol is trademarked. Just change the header. This is the first forum that everyone is respectful of what everyone else owns. You got a good group of guys and ladies here. If it comes to any pressure from Ford they'll support you no matter what you choose. If it would cost 5000 on time or even yearly you got almost 2200 members Im sure everyone would chip in to keep the site the way it is, My wife is friends with one of the ADA's in Pittsburgh I'll have her ask him what he thinks.


Ray

[John4cam]

Voted no, hope it never ends up like pittspeed.....

[sweeney1030]

its for stangers , by stangers.

[6987stangs]

I SAY DON'T CHANGE IT. I JOINED THE SITE BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT MUSTANGS. BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE LOU GET A FINE OVER THIS. IF YOU CAN KEEP THE NAME AND REMOVE THE MUSTANG AND PONY LOGO FROM THE BANNER THAN THAT WOULD BE GREAT!!
KEEP IT STEEL CITY STANGS !!!!!!!!!!!!

[85stang]

i also like the fact that this is a site for mustang fanatics in the pittsburgh area. i think if you generalize it your going to get alot of pee-brained azzholes that just want to torment people. i think it will turn into more of a headache than its worth. if you must change it keep it specific like "steel city ponies"or something. its not as good as scs but it serves the purpose. just my thoughts.

[Smallville]

I had a thought earlier. I'd be willing to bet that FORD already knows this site exists and they periodically peruse it to make sure nothing that would infringe copyright/trademark laws is going on. (such as was going on over on TRS). I mean with all the office employees that Ford has, I'm sure they dedicate a good bunch of people to this department and as long as you dont make bumper stickers with the FORD logo on it and sell it for your profit (without a license) that they wont be mailing out any letters. And if they did, I'm sure you'd have the chance to rectify the situation as the admin over on TRS was given.

Lou, you have a GREAT thing here with a GREAT bunch of people. Yeah it's just a name, but its a name that we all recognize and associate with.

[stieny]

I had a thought earlier. I'd be willing to bet that FORD already knows this site exists and they periodically peruse it to make sure nothing that would infringe copyright/trademark laws is going on. (such as was going on over on TRS). I mean with all the office employees that Ford has, I'm sure they dedicate a good bunch of people to this department and as long as you dont make bumper stickers with the FORD logo on it and sell it for your profit (without a license) that they wont be mailing out any letters. And if they did, I'm sure you'd have the chance to rectify the situation as the admin over on TRS was given.

Lou, you have a GREAT thing here with a GREAT bunch of people. Yeah it's just a name, but its a name that we all recognize and associate with.

Well said.

[Rol232]

Brace yourself....

Ford Corporate Conduct Standards -
Trademark policy detailed on page 43 - I could find neither Directive E-105 or Policy Letter No. 21.

However, Fords basic legal disclaimer from their website:

All trademarks displayed on this site are subject to the U.S. trademark rights of Ford Motor Company in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, or are used under agreement in the U.S. by Ford Motor Company. These trademarks include, but are not limited to, product brand names (e.g., Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Motorcraft), vehicle model names (e.g., Mustang, Taurus, Explorer, F-150, slogans (e.g., Built Ford Tough), and logos and emblems. The unauthorized use of any trademark displayed on this site is strictly prohibited.


It is safe to assume that you do not possess a license agreement with Ford.

You might find it worth your time to read Harvard Law's Overview of Trademark Law.

The use of the pony emblem definitely violates Ford's legal agreement. "Stang" is in violation as well for being "suggestive".

In terms of copyright infringement - I suggest you throw away those SCS window stickers and never make more.

As for trademark dilution - It is a good idea to get rid of the current site banner.

A legal disclaimer stating SCS is not affiliated with Ford may or may not not be necessary.

According to New Kids on the Block v. News America Publishing, SCS may be entitled to nomitive privileged use of the mustang trademark because it 1) is not readily identifiable without using "stangs"; 2) SCS only uses "stang" enough to identify itself; and 3) there is no suggestion that SCS is endorsed nor sponsered by Ford. According to Harvard, "The basic idea is that use of a trademark is sometimes necessary to identify and talk about another party's products and services".

If Ford were to sue under infringement it would be for sustained damages; under dilution it would be for injunctive relief (most likely a cease & desist order).


I voted no and think those banners with the Pittsburgh skyline are pretty cool.

[Jper]

Do you have any idea how many people are in my cell phone with the letters "SCS" behind them. You can't change the name cause it will take far too long for me to change all those entries.

I thought I was the only one! haha

[Wolfpack Speed]

With all the heat from Ford and the wide variety of different vehicles we have on this board, im thinking of changing the name to steelcitymusclecars. I bought the name a few years ago but never did anything with it. What does everyone think?

I am not up to speed on what ford is doing but I certainly wouldn't worry about it. If it becomes an issue at some point then make the necessary changes and move on.

As far as changing the name and opening up the board, I am fine with whatever you decide. I am a ford mustang and truck guy so I like having a local site that concentrates on my personal interests. I also like having the opportunity to advertise for my business on here, 90% of the work I do is on ford mustangs. But with that said, I like and appreciate the other domestic muscle cars as well and I work on them too. The only real concern I have about opening up the board is the import/tuner crowd. I have no interest in this scene, I turn them away here at the shop and they will bring nothing but drama to this site. Every site has there collection of trolls and SCS's is no different. The number of trolls will continue to grow on here as the site grows regardless if there is other muscle cars on here or not...but it is the import/tuner crowd that will completely destroy this site imo.

[CobraII]

I voted no. I don't have a Stang currently, but I've wrenched on Balaska's, and I am a fan of all year Stangs, and other Fords. I like the local, smaller site scale, and that there are some folks from outside the area that chime in.

But... if it means less hassle, I certainly understand the need to change the name. Thanks Lou for all the work and efforts.

[racefan]

I voted no because I think if you change it you will lose some members that are not paying attention to the site everyday, and "Fuc&" FOMOCO for fuking with the people that make them money!!!!!! If they get to you in the end, just move or change your name!!!!!!!

[How Much?]

I havent been on for a few days, but WOW,, what kinda last ditch efforts are those assholes in Detroit tryin to do? Take any money they can to bail out, Hope they dont take my ARM Fu#K Those Pricks,,,, they will be shut down in a few months anyway..... Dont give in till its the very last thing you have to do..... There is a certain something that made me love these cars,,, and this site is dedicated to the MUSTANG enthusiast.....and if you have to go to court over something like this...... im sure ALL these guys and gals on here will take there the time to Protest this Bulls@it!!!!! Contact Deweese The state rep,,, Might be able to help out... And if ya need anything Lou, dont hesitate to ask!!!!!

[SAC81]

I like this as a Mustang site, not a general forum, so I voted no.

[billyNOTnice]

I think it's a good idea because it promotes more than just mustangs. I'm a fan of all cars, primarily muscle cars. so i think it would be cool to have more variety.

[u1arunit]

I voted no because I think if you change it you will lose some members that are not paying attention to the site everyday, and "Fuc&" FOMOCO for fuking with the people that make them money!!!!!! If they get to you in the end, just move or change your name!!!!!!!

Yeah! What he said. You could always move in with your Dad Lou.

[One Sweet Day]

Def bad idea. Would hate to see SCS turn into another pittspeed, thats the last thing we need. Besides....SCMC? SCS FTMFW.

[65 Fastback]

I voted yes. I was a member (still am) of the Black Mustang Club. They went through so much grief from Ford, I would not like to see this happening here. Plus the fact, there is so much diversity in muscle cars, it would be a good idea. With all the trouble GM and Chrysler are having, maybe all that will be left are Mustangs. I doubt very much that it will turn into a ricer site (muscle car=ricer?)...go for it!

[laz2447]

I voted not sure, because i wont have to deal with it on a daily basis as you would Lou. You have done everything you can to keep this site what it was intended for, and if a name change is what you feel needs to take place to avoid the frustration on your end, by all means...its your call man...no matter how many people might not like to have to do it, or those who wouldnt mind it...

Your the one who would have to deal with it, and Im not sure if i were in your shoes what I would do, so i voted not sure...

[SoLow]

If there were a hell no option I'd pick it. you change it to steelcitymusclecars, this'll turn into another pittspeed; too diverse with too many biases. I like the people here. And why is this suddenly a problem whenever they're not making out too well?

Voted no, hope it never ends up like pittspeed.....

Def bad idea. Would hate to see SCS turn into another pittspeed, thats the last thing we need. Besides....SCMC? SCS FTMFW.

@ all of you Pittspeed haters

From what i gathered MOST of you guys understand why Lou is considering going through with this change, then there's the rest of you who are too worried about comparing it to Pittspeed. Granted ya there's a ton of TOOL BAGS on that site, but u get them with EVERY site ! !. Its all on how the site is managed, Lou and his team of mods do a great job at keeping every1 in line here & if he expands to other makes I'm pretty confident that they will continue to keep up the great work.