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.

[Irulan]

Yeah , I saw that. The comments are hilarious. I wonder if his legal dept will back off the little guys now.

[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.

[Rebecca19804]

Yeah , I saw that. The comments are hilarious. I wonder if his legal dept will back off the little guys now.

Uh... unless this is an opportunistic hoax, it would appear not.
http://ridingagainstthegrain.com/201...ess-epix-gear/

[Irulan]

Uh... unless this is an opportunistic hoax, it would appear not.
http://ridingagainstthegrain.com/201...ess-epix-gear/

that has been withdrawn.
Here is the latest from Specialized FB page
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[TrekDianna]

I am tempted to say that I won't buy specialized anymore based on this, but that would be difficult since it's specialized bikes that feel like they are made perfect for me

[ny biker]

Specialized is a big sponsor in women's pro cycling. Generally I try to support companies who do that sort of thing. I don't have any of their bikes but I am now less likely to buy any of their other products as a result of this behavior.

[Seajay]

Can any of you who still hold a grudge here name any other major company's founder/CEO who has flown out to personally apologize and post "I own it and apologize" to the world of the web?

The owner at Roubaix seems to be OK with understanding and being open to forgiveness.

But apparently that's not good enough for you?

At some point, who is acting like a "jerk" may be shifting.

I've met and talked with Mr. Sinyard. He is a human being and not the monster you would like to make him to be. The environment he gives to his staff to work in is to be envied.
There is simply no way one person can have a finger on EVERY aspect of a company so large. He responded in as human a way as I could imagine.
I suggest you give the man some credit.

[Irulan]

How many of you have written off Starbucks? Don't buy Mattel toys? Don't go to McDonalds? (lol that one is easy) These three known trademark bullies don't even make the top ten list.
Apple, Lance Armstrong Foundation and Facebook are in the top 10 of Trademark Bullies according to Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.com/heres...merica-2012-3#

Are you ready give up your iPhone and/or Facebook?