More bullying behaviour from Specialized.

[Hi Ho Silver]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but it seems to me that the root of the problem is "trademark law" - if a name is trademarked and the trademark owner doesn't pursue others using the name (or nearly the same name), don't they then lose the protective rights of the trademark? A lot of the patent and trademark law seems like it rewards firms that hound others who might, even remotely, be infringing on their property, and punishes those who do not protect their intellectual property with a vengeance. I think it reached absurd new heights when Apple, who "patented" rounded corners on their iPad, went after other tablet makers for rounding the corners of their tablets.

[ny biker]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but it seems to me that the root of the problem is "trademark law" - if a name is trademarked and the trademark owner doesn't pursue others using the name (or nearly the same name), don't they then lose the protective rights of the trademark? A lot of the patent and trademark law seems like it rewards firms that hound others who might, even remotely, be infringing on their property, and punishes those who do not protect their intellectual property with a vengeance. I think it reached absurd new heights when Apple, who "patented" rounded corners on their iPad, went after other tablet makers for rounding the corners of their tablets.

I'm also far from an expert on legal matters, but it seems that a licensing agreement is another way of addressing the problem of protecting the trademark, especially when the other user is not really a threat to the trademark holder's business.

[Irulan]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but it seems to me that the root of the problem is "trademark law" - if a name is trademarked and the trademark owner doesn't pursue others using the name (or nearly the same name), don't they then lose the protective rights of the trademark?

Yes - at least as I understand it. I've looked into copyright/trademark stuff for my business.
He who has the most money to throw at lawyers wins. Starbucks, McDonalds....stomping on the little guy.
ASI did what seems to be the right thing and I applaud them.

[Sylvia]

Looks like Mike Sinyard from Specialized came to the shop and officially apologized.
For those of you on facebook, here is the link.

[rebeccaC]

Looks like Mike Sinyard from Specialized came to the shop and officially apologized.
For those of you on facebook, here is the link.

Glad to see this…..even though the cynical side of me thinks of this as the pr side of Specialized handling the disaster!

More importantly it was good to see the bicycling community build this into the pr disaster for Specialized!!!

[Pax]

Glad to see this…..even though the cynical side of me thinks of this as the pr side of Specialized handling the disaster!

More importantly it was good to see the bicycling community build this into the pr disaster for Specialized!!!

Agree with you 100%, seems like a complete OH NO WHAT HAVE WE DONE moment!

[Wahine]

Glad to see this…..even though the cynical side of me thinks of this as the pr side of Specialized handling the disaster!

More importantly it was good to see the bicycling community build this into the pr disaster for Specialized!!!

Agreed. I still won't buy any more Specialized products.

[Owlie]

When it comes time for an upgrade, I have to admit that the Ruby or Amira were very strong contenders for the next road bike. (It was that or the SuperSix). Leaning more strongly to the SuperSix or the Fuji Supreme or Altamira, since ASI has some sort of common sense, apparently.