VMT's Class J Trademark

[NW Mailing List]

My only choice is to boycott the vendor and his product.
What a shame.
Tom Cosgrove

On 6/1/2015 9:48 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:
> It is a shame that we are even having this discussion.  As someone 
> else has already stated a LOT of people gave money to this effort as 
> donations.
> If I were one of those folks I would be disheartened that my hard 
> earned funds, which I could have spent on something else, were used so 
> that VMT can now make money on a project they needed my and others' 
> financial contributions for.
> What troubles me even more is that NWHS has apparently decided to go 
> along with VMT given the nature of Ron's comments below.  If so I am 
> extremely disappointed in the Society's Board of Directors if they 
> have put their stamp of approval on this or taken no position against 
> it.   Does VMT really think the "sellers of mass-produced retail 
> goods" are going to heed their trademark?  The VMT Trademark Police 
> will be very busy with this situation; think of the dollars that will 
> be expended by VMT to enforce the trademark.  Sure those dollars and 
> lawyers fees may be assessed in a court action to enforce the 
> trademark; I'm sure all of those "sellers of mass-produced retail 
> goods" have such deep pockets they will write a check on the spot! And 
> really, how much of a "royalty" can VMT expect to receive from the 
> sale of "t-shirts, pictures, coffee cups, calendars, books."
> What is next? Trademark the A and Y6a?  Don't laugh; if VMT gets away 
> with the J trademark what is to stop them? Where will the line be 
> drawn?  I think each of us will have to draw their own line and I know 
> where mine will be.
> Certainly NWHS has invested a lot of money, blood, sweat and tears in 
> its Archives; does that mean we can trademark everything N&W and VGN?
> This is a very sad situation for me to see NWHS in and I have lost a 
> lot or respect for VMT.
> Jim Brewer
> Glenwood MD
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From: *"NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> *To: *"NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> *Sent: *Sunday, May 31, 2015 10:47:59 PM
> *Subject: *Re: VMT's Class J Trademark
>
> Let me state what I know about this topic.
>
> Having 611 back in operation has vastly increased the interest and
> popularity in the locomotive.
>
> VMT and the FireUp 611 committee have invested a lot of money putting
> 611 back into operating condition. To keep 611 in operating condition
> will require even more money in the future.
>
> People and organizations who PROFIT from SELLING things (t-shirts,
> pictures, coffee cups, calendars, books) associated with the 611 should
> help support keeping it going. Read the next to last paragraph to see
> the true targets of these trademarks - "mass-produced retail goods."
>
> Another target of this trademark are major corporations that may wish to
> use 611's image in their advertising. Kohler and Mercedes(?) have done
> so in the past. Would it not be great if a large corporation paid a
> significant fee for rights to use 611 in their advertising?
>
> Note that those who are selling "small quantities" are simply asked to
> e-mail an inquiry. To protect the trademark, everything falling under
> the trademark must be properly licensed. Thus even those selling small
> quantities must be licensed and acknowledge VMT's trademark. For those
> falling in this "small quantity" category, the license fee if any will
> be very small.
>
> If you are not selling anything, then none of this trademark stuff
> applies to you. You can share photos with your friends and the Internet
> with no problems.
>
> For books and publications, authors are asked to work with their
> Virginia Rail Heritage Partners which includes NWHS and the Roanoke
> Chapter NRHS. The partner organizations will be granted licenses to
> cover the trademark. Thus there will be no impact on "The Arrow" or
> "Turntable Times"
>
> It is my understanding that at this point an application has simply been
> made for the trademarks. The applications may or may not be approved.
> The items and images mentioned have passed some preliminary approval.
>
> Norfolk Southern is aware of VMT applying for this trademark and has no
> objections to it.
>
> VMT is not looking to gouge folks, but simply wants those who benefit
> and profit in big ways by having 611 running again to help keep it 
> that way.
>
> Ron Davis
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-- 
Tom Cosgrove
Captain RBVFA Squad, EMT-B
N2VFK
SKYWARN Spotter LME002

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