Thursday, April 15, 2010

It's sad that this is the way it has to be.

HK's measured response to another airsoft retailer listing a MP5

No mama, we from some lame ass company that sues for trademarks, were here to help 




I understand why it is, I just am dismayed when I see emails like this,

Dear Retail Partner,


We would like to take a moment to remind all  Retail Partners not to use real firearm brand (ex. HK, Glock, FN, etc.) or real firearm model (ex. G36, G17, SCAR, etc) to advertise or describe airsoft products whether online or in print. 

Airsoft guns are NOT real firearms.  Do NOT use without permission the names of gun manufacturers or their gun models in your product description, advertising or sales records of your airsoft products.  Use of real firearm models to describe replica airsoft products are inaccurate, misleading, and may be a violation of trademark. 


Thank you for your effort and support to make airsoft better for everyone!

Best Regards,


The email above came from an airsoft distributor. It is a CYA type thing.
There is a company out there who's sole purpose in life is to find people advertising "trademarked" items, then
suing those people in the name of the trademark holder, or sending out demand letters that the advertiser pay X number of dollars for it to go away. 
And it's not even Cybergun doing it this time.





I guess my reviews will have to now be of  Colt or XXXXXXXX Gun-maker brand pistol.


On a related note, I found this in a search, I can not find the court date on it though.
I will try and to keep on top of it and see where it leads.


http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-waedce/case_no-2:2010cv00078/case_id-49891/




Don't get me wrong, I do understand trademark and trade dress law. I just think that the way some companies go about redressing these issues is very underhanded and the worsts way to do things.
To a lot of airsofters, this is the way they are learning about what they like to use. When they reach 21 and buy their "Real Steel" guns they will have already made up their minds and buy what they have been collecting and using for years.
It is impossible to buy that kind of brand loyalty, no matter how much you spend on advertising.
On the same page though, brands that go out of their way to target these potential buyers and their sport, will be remembered when the time comes for money to be spent.


Remember, This is what you get if you use a trademarked name, you scum!!!


Also  Remember 

It's just not right.

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