2010 Yenko/SC Camaro

[sYc]

To me it is not about marketing.

I have always thought it was neat that several ZL-1 owners had '02s built to match their '69s and thought it would be cool to do a 2010 to match our '69.

BTW, the decision to build others came from folks who liked what I was doing.

[AMC]

Thomas,
Yes I did and thanks for getting back to me on that so quickly. You prove exactly what I wrote. However, Im still willing to write the check so I can be considered, like you an expert, then I can build a Yenko too! Let me know where to send the check! Just my opinion.

[barker]

As a "Modern Muscle Car Enthusiast" who has had the opportunity to develop some great friendships through this yenko.net community I want to Thank this site for the passion we are all able to share here. Where else can you go and get such VARIED OPINIONS yet everyone be SO PASSIONATE about something? I am very honored to be a member of this site and look forward to seeing all the passion in so many different forms we are going to get to see with this new 2010 Camaro!!!! I say bring them on and for those of you who do not believe in these new products we will respect your opinion although we do not share it.
Thanks again
Dennis Barker

[Classic Automotive]

Tom:

Two things, to Sal's point, several years ago on this forum the statements were made "if Don did not build it, it ain't a Yenko." Those thoughts were echoed throughout this forum. Now a group on this forum decides to build a 2010 Yenko and it's agood idea. I believe that was his intitial point. Outside of this forum people perceive this website group as very "clickish". I am glad to see this type of debate, this is how it should be.

Second, to Sal's point also, Sal and I are both elected into SEMA/ARMO by our peers. We work with GM, Ford and Chrysler licensing personell and have sit down meetings with them at SEMA concerning "how to do it right and legal" Sal was simply stating, you should do this legal. According to the trademark office Yenko is owned by Classic Industries in all concerns automotive except model cars/toys. The Yenko family does not own there own name in regards to putting it on a car for commercial purposes. As paceme said earlier in this thread that I responded to, Yes you can buy a Yenko decal and put it on your Yugo and have no problems. The moment you put it on a car and sell or market the car for commercial purposes you have violated the law. IT is a simple fact the name it TRADEMARKED. So the question is are you doing it legally? Or is this going to be another fight in the industry and result in legal issues and lawsuits. The are things going on with the Yenko name out there that Sal and I know about but are not allowed to discuss. Both of us feel you owe this forum a straight answer as not to get peoples hopes up and then have them crashing down when you cannot produce the cars. I am not meaning to challenge you, just simply answer Sal's original question(s) By the way, I have been through the legal side of this, the use of Camaro, licensed with GM, sued and defended myself since all of this was introduced, has anyone else here been through the legal side of this?

[1969z280]

I think you guys should pay for a membership. Just my $.02

[sYc]

Jim, Sad to say, I am not new to the world of trademarks and such disputes and would not have endorsed such a project without doing some research. It would be nice if everything was black and white in regards to trademarks, but as I am sure you know, lots of gray areas, which is why there are attorneys who only specialize in trademark issues. You and I, and others, could argue about who really has the rights to the Yenko name until the cows come home, but would not really prove a thing. That will be for the courts to decide, if and when someone makes a legal challenge against our use of the name.

If such challenge does come to pass, IMO, the challenger may win a battle or two, but will not win the war, AKA, public opinion.

With that said, I would like to ask you a question. Have you, Salvatore or even Classic received permission from the Yenko family to use the Yenko name, or for that matter, ever bothered to even ask?

I believe very strongly that the families should have some control over the use of their names, which is why I urged Valerie Harrell to trademark the DH name, even gave her the money to do so. I gave Helen Gibb the same advice, and not long ago helped her defend her rights to the Gibb name. I could have been like others and registered the marks in my name, or the sYc’s name, but that was not the right thing to do. There are more important things in this world then trying to make a quick buck at the expense of others.

Several folks have asked about the Yenko family in all of this. I will give a short history question, then answer that.

13 years ago, as we were discussing holding the first Yenko/Supercar Reunion, the sYc asked for, then received, written permission from the Yenko estate/family to use the Yenko name, as far as I know the only entity to bother asking, and the only entity to receive such permission. At that time the sYc began using the Yenko name in various forms, well before others became interested in jumping on the Yenko bandwagon. For the past 13 years, working with members of the Yenko family, the sYc has done its best to promote the Yenko name in a positive manner, and evidently we did a pretty good job or else we would not be having this discussion.

For the past several years I have become good friends with the remaining members of the Yenko family, also, kind of the buffer between them and our hobby. Any time I am contacted about something Yenko related, or hear of something that think they need to be made aware of, I send that info their way. Two things kept popping up. One, a Yenko book, which I am proud to say will be previewed at the SCR, and two, the family endorsing the building of more Yenkos. Their answer has always been the same, no thanks. That is until now.

I am proud, and delighted, to say that I have received a positive response from within the Yenko family, one member even expressing interest in owning a “new” Yenko Camaro.

That my friend, is good enough for me!

[Kim_Howie]

Tom , I have been down this road too.

[Classic Automotive]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim, Sad to say, I am not new to the world of trademarks and such disputes and would not have endorsed such a project without doing some research. It would be nice if everything was black and white in regards to trademarks, but as I am sure you know, lots of gray areas, which is why there are attorneys who only specialize in trademark issues. You and I, and others, could argue about who really has the rights to the Yenko name until the cows come home, but would not really prove a thing. That will be for the courts to decide, if and when someone makes a legal challenge against our use of the name. If such challenge does come to pass, IMO, the challenger may win a battle or two, but will not win the war, AKA, public opinion. If such challenge does come to pass, IMO, the challenger may win a battle or two, but will not win the war, AKA, public opinion.

With that said, I would like to ask you a question. Have you, Salvatore or even Classic received permission from the Yenko family to use the Yenko name, or for that matter, ever bothered to even ask?

I believe very strongly that the families should have some control over the use of their names, which is why I urged Valerie Harrell to trademark the DH name, even gave her the money to do so. I gave Helen Gibb the same advice, and not long ago helped her defend her rights to the Gibb name. I could have been like others and registered the marks in my name, or the sYc’s name, but that was not the right thing to do. There are more important things in this world then trying to make a quick buck at the expense of others.

Several folks have asked about the Yenko family in all of this. I will give a short history question, then answer that.

13 years ago, as we were discussing holding the first Yenko/Supercar Reunion, the sYc received written permission from the Yenko estate/family to use the Yenko name, as far as I know the only entity to bother asking, and the only entity to receive such permission. At that time the sYc began using the Yenko name in various forms, well before others became interested in jumping on the Yenko bandwagon. For the past 13 years, working with members of the Yenko family, the sYc has done its best to promote the Yenko name in a positive manner, and evidently we did a pretty good job or else we would not be having this discussion.

For the past several years I have become good friends with the remaining members of the Yenko family, also, kind of the buffer between them and our hobby. Any time I am contacted about something Yenko related, or hear of something that think they need to be made aware of, I send that info their way. Two things kept popping up. One, a Yenko book, which I am proud to say will be previewed at the SCR, and two, the family endorsing the building of more Yenkos. Their answer has always been the same, no thanks. That is until now.

I am proud, and delighted, to say that I have received a positive response from within the Yenko family, one member even expressing interest in owning a “new” Yenko Camaro.

That my friend, is good enough for me!

[/ QUOTE ]

Tom:

Yes, I have spoken with Lynn several times and to that end she has never said no. When you and I discussed this before and you went to the Yenko family you never responded to me as to what the family said, or at least I have no response from you. As you stated all of this will be for the courts to decide. Is the Yenko family aware of the potientail legal issues? Are they aware how t he name is trademarked? I will make a statement though that I believe is on point. My last name is Barber, think if my family would have licensed the name or trademarked it in some way...look at all the "Barber shops" out there today. Simply because I have the last name of Barber does not mean I can give anyone permission to use it. Again to Sal's point of legality.

I thank you for answering the question directly, I applaud you for that. Good luck with you project and I hope the lawyers don't end up making more money!

Jim

[AMC]

Tom,
Thanks, thats what I was looking for. I appreciate that info. Good luck with your 2010 project!

[sYc]

[ QUOTE ]
I think it is a great idea to build these new camaros up. I just don't know why we have to use the Yenko, Nickey, Baldwin etc. platform anymore. I think the people involved doing them should come up with their own version of a name. If it is not called a Yenko or whatever will it be less of a car? Call it The Stefano or The SCW camaro. Do you think you need the old names to market these new hot rods.....I don't. Is Berger Chevy going to call there new camaro a Yenko? How about Tom Henry?

[/ QUOTE ]


Sam, we have tried, but hard to put into words. All I can say, and I will leave it at this. You need to attend an event with family members and former employees who are involved in such projects.

I think it may have been Nancy Gibb's excietment over her new Camaro becoming the prototype for the Gibb project that chased the rain away during the Gibb show.