Yenko Bandwagon Continues

matt murphy · #1 12-26-2003, 06:24 AM

Tom,

It is unfortunate to see those logos and decals on cars other than the originals . . . but, unless someone comes out with the rights to stop this use of those logos and "SYC" letters on the seats . . . it will continue to happen, especially since those decals and emblems are sold by most 1st Gen. Camaro vendors . . . [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Chevy454 · #2 12-26-2003, 01:23 PM

I'm no trademark attorney, but I'd say plastering someone else's logo (ie "Yenko Sportscar Club") all over your auction page isn't exactly "Kosher"...

sYc · #3 12-26-2003, 03:41 PM

Actually we do own the "rights" to sYc and Yenko Sportscar Club. Falls under the "first in use" clause in the trade mark/copyright laws. We can not stop, nor do I really care, about their use (sYc) on seats, etc, but when it is used in reference to the Yenko Sportscar Club, with out permission, car ads, t-shirts, jackets, caps, etc. then I do have a problem with that. It is not fair to all of the fine folks who seek permission first, not to care.

Several months ago, when the person in Canada was using Yenko, Inc. in the listing of his cars, Ebay acknowledged that the sYc, who was representing the family/estate, could, and did, put a stop to them doing that.

When it comes to Yenko, there are some areas that are not protected, but several others that are. Same with Gibb, Harrell and Motion. What bothers me the most, is how everyone is going around slapping this name, or that name on cars, simply to raise the value, with no regards to legal issues, or who might own the rights, or even what the family thinks.

68l30 · #4 12-26-2003, 05:26 PM

Tom,Is the Yenko family making anything off of the Fast an Furious Yenko merchandise? I see a ton of stuff out besides the crap on eBay.The prouducts list a lisc by GM but nothing about Yenko....This goes for the Johnny Lightning cars as well....Is anyone besides GM or the manufacture profiting from this use/misuse.This seems to be a larger scale then the what is being discussed.I would hate to support them by buying there products....

Steve

68z302 · #5 12-26-2003, 07:06 PM

I'm just guessing here but the cost of litigation for the hundreds of violations a year would be staggering. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
GM and other large Corporations can afford this but the Yenko family may be overwhelmed by it all. I bet they've attempted to protect their name & found out how much money it can cost.
It's a shame a judge or two hasn't slammed a few people for it. It would make others gun shy, I would think. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

sYc · #6 12-26-2003, 09:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I'm just guessing here but the cost of litigation for the hundreds of violations a year would be staggering. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
GM and other large Corporations can afford this but the Yenko family may be overwhelmed by it all. I bet they've attempted to protect their name & found out how much money it can cost.
It's a shame a judge or two hasn't slammed a few people for it. It would make others gun shy, I would think. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

You have hit the nail on the head. The Yenko family simply got to the point of why bother. Not as much as about $$, but time.

To me, use of the Yenko name is more of a case of doing the right thing, regardless of who has what rights. IMO, Don's daughters should control and be compensated any time the Yenko is used (as it applies to hi-performace cars). But, in this day and time, where associating the Yenko name to a product can increase its value 2-3 times or more, doing the right thing is forgotten more times then not.

68l30 · #7 12-27-2003, 03:13 PM

Thank you Tom.We all know the Yenko name is being used for one reason.I have no problem with doing things the right way,but it's hard to tell the players without a program.Would it be wise to list the properly lisc. dist. of Yenko products? Just a thought..

Steve

sYc · #8 12-27-2003, 03:30 PM

Steve, kind of a two sided coin, as a product can be legally licensed without the Yenko family/estate/sYc being involved. All I can do, if this is what you are asking, is list the products the sYc has endorsed. As I mentioned earlier, these would be the only products either directly, or indirectly related to the Yenko family/estate.

sYc · #9 12-26-2003, 09:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Tom,Is the Yenko family making anything off of the Fast an Furious Yenko merchandise? I see a ton of stuff out besides the crap on eBay.The prouducts list a lisc by GM but nothing about Yenko....This goes for the Johnny Lightning cars as well....Is anyone besides GM or the manufacture profiting from this use/misuse.This seems to be a larger scale then the what is being discussed.I would hate to support them by buying there products....

Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

No, the family has not. From time to time the sYc has received compensation for endorsing a product. This $$ goes towards supporting sYc projects. Not a lot, but every little bit helps. Example, SCR6 CD and calendar, Yenko jackets, Supercar Collectables "Fast and furious diecast" and Yenko/sYc Christmas lights. Anyone who buys a product endorsed by the sYc is indirectly contributing to the Yenko family, as they fully endorse the sYc and its projects. sYc.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.