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> > You can talk about their cars, just don't try make money > from them and > > don't name you club or website using their trademarks, like- > > vwtype3.org :). > > > > Isn't this "fair use" to identifying the type of vehicle we > are interested in talking about. I don't see the problem. If you mean the domain name vwtype3.org, then no it would not be fair use, because it looks like it is related to VW the company. So you could be misleading the public into believing that VW supports or sponsors the site and the opions expressed there in. A domain is like naming you repair shop "Volkswagen Repair Shop". You imply a relationship with VW that does not exist and your practices may reflect poorly on them. I know that is not the case but that is the way the law reads. Although, Russ made the point that classicvolvo.com withstood a law suite from Ford. My real point was that I don't think most of us need to worry or freak out about this licensing thing. Just don't walk all over the rights of VW to protect its name and image by using their name in the name of your organization or buisness or try to make money off their name and image. You can use the name to describe your cars and your buisness e.g. we sell vw parts, we fix vw's, we like vw type 3's. People were making the 'free advertising' argument, but there is a trademark term called 'Naked Licensing' that states that if you let everyone use your trademark you potentially dilute your argument against people that are actually infringing on your trademark e.g. a company that prints your logo on t-shirts and makes a butt-load of money off your product. I think we just need to be more understanding of the laws etc. We are all just so used to being able to do whatever we want on the internet. You would never post a big VW sign over your 'brick and mortor' shop or buisness and mislead the public into beleiving you are licensed by VW. Also, most people are used to being able to fly their flag as it were. You know this is my religion, this is my Country, this is the car company I love, I belong to this or that group... My 1 cent anyway, check out www.mvvc.com they have a very good explaination of their protest and the results and info on the trademark/licensing issue. Jason Smith 71 Square FI AT http://jasontsmith.tripod.com/vw.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- List info at http://www.vwtype3.org/list | mailto:gregm@vwtype3.org