Last Resort Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 John White from Crazy Horse Motorcycles sent me (Cyril Huze) an email/letter stating the following “It seems that Crazy Horse’s logo is upsetting the stakeholders at Polaris. I think we sold a total of ten tank logos and perhaps 15 fender logos. I am not sure who is making the risk management decisions at Polaris but they are going to end up exposing their very weak mark to the point of public domain. They just (blip) with the wrong guy…” Fot the entire story Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Hayne Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 A Case Of Trademark Enforcement By Polaris Industries – Indian Motorcycle Against Crazy Horse Motorcycles Published by Cyril Huze September 21st, 2011 in Builders, Editorial and Events. Trademark rights are protected through registration, maintenance, watching, and enforcement. These precautions, and proper use help preserve the ability of marks to indicate the source of a product or service to consumers. On Monday September 19th, 2011 the Intellectual Property Law Firm of Merchant & Gould in Minneapolis, MN representing Polaris Industries Inc. and its subsidiary Indian Motorcycle International LLC (IMI) contacted Crazy Horse Motorcycles LLC in Kent, Washington for what they consider an Indian Motorcycle Trademark infringement. The subject of this letter is to stop the use by Crazy Horse Motorcycles of an Indian Headdress logo and design used as their corporate logo, tank and fender badges. John White from Crazy Horse Motorcycles sent me an email/letter stating the following “It seems that Crazy Horse’s logo is upsetting the stakeholders at Polaris. I think we sold a total of ten tank logos and perhaps 15 fender logos. I am not sure who is making the risk management decisions at Polaris but they are going to end up exposing their very weak mark to the point of public domain. They just (blip) with the wrong guy…” I am not sure what he means by “Polaris is going to end up exposing their very weak mark to the point of public domain”, but I am pretty sure he is going to explain his arguments in “comments”. I publish below the letter of cease and desist sent to Crazy Horse Motorcycles (minus numerous attachments and exhibits with sketches and drawings) by which Polaris/IMI claims all its Indian Motorcycle trademarks and demonstrate its intent to enforce them. To follow… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel3078 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Just read it myself. Step on enough toes and payback is always a bitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Hayne Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 (edited) This could get interesting. Crazy Horse isn't some manufacturer of after market Indian parts like say Kuryakyn. They have taken Indian logos & the PP100 engine, tweeked them & are now calling them their own. Cyrill also has copies of the 2 letters Polaris sent to Crazy Horse posted. Edited September 21, 2011 by Sam Hayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 (edited) I am sure IMI is shaking in their boots from JWs threat.....in my opinion could not happen to a nicer guy. I have stated forever that I thought his flagrant use of the PP100 motor and its unique look as his own along with some of his other endeavors should be reviewed....I guess it finally is happening. I love that Polaris is going to not only enforce current uses but shore up all the loose strings it appears from the past 50 years and apparently then enter legal agreements with those that wish to continue or that Polaris wishes to allow to continue to build parts and market them as for Indian Motorcycles or representative of the brand. Good work Polaris.... Just hope some of those long standing Indian supporters that actually do admirable work with strong love of the brand get to continue their marketing and use of logo's.....but would be nice to knock out some of the peripheral users that are only out for themselves and would love nothing more than to see Indian squandered again. Edited September 21, 2011 by Brock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badndn Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm liking Polaris more everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETB Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Don't get too excited. He's seen these letters before. I'm hoping now that the brand is with a company with far more legal/financial resources, this is only a first step & they can put the issue to bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrider Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 wonder if kiwi is getting letters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETB Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 wonder if kiwi is getting letters? Probably not. The Kiwi/Indian agreement was worked out in court years ago. Not sure how it applies to Polaris, but I don't see why it would've changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrider Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 when did crazy horse motorcycles come up with their headress logo and fender light that Polaris is upset about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 welcome Erin.... nice comment on WHAT YOU RIDE>.....LMAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPScoutrider Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Don't get too excited. He's seen these letters before. I'm hoping now that the brand is with a company with far more legal/financial resources, this is only a first step & they can put the issue to bed. Yep, if you hire a firm like Merchant & Gould, you mean business and are willing to take it to finality. I bet we see more of this, given all the "Indian" shirts, etc. on fleebay that are not "authentic". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrider Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I just found the crazy horse website. the only similarity I can see in the headess is how the feathers stretch out horizontally. I'm not big on the tank badge, but I do think the fender light would look good on my darkhorse if I painted over the blue with black. I'm gonna order me one. if they got them in stock and ready to ship, then thats more than I can say for any part for my indian than I can say for Polaris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottdog Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I just found the crazy horse website. the only similarity I can see in the headess is how the feathers stretch out horizontally. I'm not big on the tank badge, but I do think the fender light would look good on my darkhorse if I painted over the blue with black. I'm gonna order me one. if they got them in stock and ready to ship, then thats more than I can say for any part for my indian than I can say for Polaris. If you have a lick of respect for the Indian community and the IIRA you won't give that asshole a penny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zit Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 i love em blippin with the wrong guy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It is Baloon Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Pretty sure kawasaki indian drifter is still in production too. Kawa & others probly pay license fees to Indian Owners. With all the money we put into our Indian mc's it's of interest to see how the new owner's will protect The Grand Old Marque. me ride um Centennial cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zit Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 drifters were done by '05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkrider Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I wasn't aware he had done anything to the iira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETB Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 welcome Erin.... nice comment on WHAT YOU RIDE>.....LMAO Thanks Brock. Feels good to be able to speak freely here. and re: what you ride, what exactly is "etc."? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHIEF DOC 99 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I wasn't aware he had done anything to the iira Those sculpted ornaments are made by Zambini Bros & you can purchase 'em on their website. LINK: Zambini Bros site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONMYI Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I just found the crazy horse website. the only similarity I can see in the headess is how the feathers stretch out horizontally. I'm not big on the tank badge, but I do think the fender light would look good on my darkhorse if I painted over the blue with black. I'm gonna order me one. if they got them in stock and ready to ship, then thats more than I can say for any part for my indian than I can say for Polaris. HMmmm, You need a big spoon to help stir that !! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badndn Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Thanks Brock. Feels good to be able to speak freely here. and re: what you ride, what exactly is "etc."? He calls his right hand his mistress. His left hand is his girlfriend. I dunno what ETC is.... Maybe it's a secret acronym... Ethnic Transvestite C***. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV62 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I wasn't aware he had done anything to the iira Wait till a cold winter weekend when you have nothing else to do. Search up anything JW or CH related and start reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV62 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 drifters were done by '05 As usual, me dumber than dirt is right up with current events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPScoutrider Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Those sculpted ornaments are made by Zambini Bros & you can purchase 'em on their website. LINK: Zambini Bros site Doc is correct--got em on my Scout: Ya, I know, the bike was a little dirty when a took those pics. Otherwise, DR, I made the mistake of buying CH gas caps b/4 I knew all the history--LR filled me in, but by that time it was too late. Picture me at Branson like this when CH/JW was brought up and I sittin there with the gas caps on my Scout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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