Re: [CR]Most Pleasant Surprise in my Email-Now Trademark and Heritage

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:35:37 +0000 (GMT)
From: <gholl@optonline.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Most Pleasant Surprise in my Email-Now Trademark and Heritage
In-reply-to: <2006D42939E54398A928514729452FF5@BruceGordon>
To: bgcycles@svn.net, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <2006D42939E54398A928514729452FF5@BruceGordon>
cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

This is an interesting post. Since Bruce didn't sell licenses to use his bikes, as far as I know, he's not entitled to any royalties, although it's certainly very nice that someone would want to pay him for his frame's "appreciation." Thank goodness the frame didn't decrease in value-perhaps the buyer would have asked Bruce for depreciation to be paid. What is more interesting, however, and not addressed in Bruce's post, is that, it seems that both major and minor framemakers and bicycle manufacturers do little or nothing to protect their legitimate trademark rights. Is any member aware of a frame or bicycle maker having taken legal action to protect his/her trademark? Do many framemakers or bike makers even take the steps necessary to obtain trademark or other legal protection? Moreover, I have the impression that even the greatest frame/bike makers (unlike watch makers, for example) have little interest in their previous production and heritage. Do other members share this impression?
George
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA


----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Gordon"
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:55:00 -0000
Subject: [CR]Most Pleasant Surprise in my Email
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, framebuilders@phred.org


> This morning while having my coffee and watching the "Depressing
> News" on
> TV, I received an email from someone who bought a frame of mine
> on ebay.
>
> Usually this type of email (I usually get about 1 per week) asks for
> detailed info about a frame I have built in the last 35 years.
> My standard
> answer is that I have every piece of info dating back to 1976 - but,
>
> It takes at least an hour to research it - time spent not
> working - time I
> must charge for. This answer is usually followed by emails
> about what an
> @#$%$#%^#$%%$ I am for charging for that research.
>
>
>
> Well much to my surprise - the new owner of my frame said how
> well made it
> was, and that he was anxious to get parts on it and ride it.
>
>
>
> Now for the "Kicker"!!!!!!
>
> He had made a deposit in my Paypal account of 10% of the price
> he paid for
> it as a "Royalty" in appreciation. This is for a frame I built
> 29.5 years
> ago. It almost brought tears to my eyes - yes - Bruce Gordon
> has feelings -
> contrary to public opinion.
>
> It was not the $$$, but the appreciation of the 'New Owner" that
> choked me
> up.
>
>
>
> Something to think about.
>
>
>
> I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Bruce Gordon
>
> Bruce Gordon Cycles
>
> http://www.bgcycles.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>

George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA