If RPG said it was the Ford F150 Raptor performance group you have a problem. But if you change to a common reference such as Raptor then your protected from any infringement suit unless you began producing a Raptor Truck.... But as mentioned it is just a letter sent by people with too much time on there hands. Having sat in on a meeting of proverbial chest thumpers it goes like this... Hey who is the lowest paid guy here.. Send that guy to find people using or even making a reference to a name we use and have them begin sending letters to every single company that even remotely looks like we could threaten them. Of course were not going to really do anything and dragging our name out in this manner will look bad for us, just send the letters.... Of course we know how well the Mustang deal went.. Some closed most said **** OFF FORD... Ford went quietly off and really made no pretense that they would come after anyone for anything. It is in Fords best interest to keep the aftermarket alive and without the aftermarket the truck sales numbers would probably drop off like a rock... Lets face it in Fords mind if you list a part number selling shocks for a Ford vehicle your infringing on there sales, but Ford cannot afford to take on the entire aftermarket industry so says nothing...
RPG I would stand my ground and go to court the most your facing is a judge saying stop using it.. But the reality is right is on your side and you wont loose anything anyway. Ford can not afford to **** the rest of the world off and risk the entire aftermarket getting together and come after Ford.
I realize its always easier to fold under, but someone has to stand there ground and eventually they will..
This is my opinion and know advertising costs, know Fords blowing smoke and know its a risk reward deal..
As defined by Miriam Webster dictionary : Raptor
Raptor as defined by dictionary
1
: BIRD OF PREY
2
[New Latin -raptor (as in velociraptor)] : a usually small-to-medium-sized predatory dinosaur (as a velociraptor or deinonychus)
See raptor defined for English-language learners »
See raptor defined for kids »
Origin of RAPTOR
New Latin Raptores, former order name, from Latin, plural of raptor plunderer, from rapere
First Known Use: 1873
In general, any BIRD OF PREY, including OWLS. The raptors are sometimes restricted to EAGLES, FALCONS, HAWKS, and VULTURES (birds of the order Falconiformes), all diurnal predators that “seize and carry off” (Latin raptare) their prey.
Ford can not now or ever show they invented the word since Henry Ford was not in business before 1873..
If Ford could say they own the word Raptor, then of course the all forms of anyone using the word Raptor would have to cease using it.
Ford would have an uphill battle against Yamaha, Lockheed Martin, Toronto basketball team and so forth. The reason they use it without hesitation is they can and the Supreme court ruled against ownership of common names and numbers.. Otherwise I would own the number one and **** sesame street from now on you count 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.20.... IMHO
