Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[froglips AT sprintmail.com]

Thought I'd comment too!

I'm sort of a closet Anime (Japanese animation) fan (not yet Otaku class but 
getting there).

I've read some books on the subject and was shocked to find out that in 
Japan, the
fan's are not only encouraged, they are not sued into oblivion for their 
obsession.

The studios in Japan actually realized that fans are the ones who support
the works they sell.

In the US, the "rule" is, you can have/show fansubs or pirated copies of Anime
series not available in the US.  When the US version is available, the fansub
should be erased.

It seems that when there is a two way street, everyone wins.

Alas, as Disney gets into the fray, fans are loosing ground.  But, there are a
lot of non-Disney US distributors of Anime, so for now, we are holding ground.

This anit-fan stance of these big companies and their legal staff only hurts
the little guy.  Paramount, Lucas, Fox, and now VW comes to mind.

I'm sure that VWoA is not going to have to go out of business due to
competition in the "clocks made out of old VW Bus hubcaps" market.

As a VW owner, albeit a  new one, I must say this leaves a bad taste in
my mouth.

Isn't the bottom line they are "protecting their brand"?  Well, IMHO, this has
done considerable damage to the VW brand.

Maybe, just maybe, they should consider spending this money and time on 
improving
their products.  So, when it comes time to choose a vehicle, you can make a 
decision
based on quality.

I know when I picked a VW (to replace a Chevy), it had nothing to do with "how
well do they protect their brand and logos".

But, rest assured, I'll remember this the next time I choose a new car.

Arrghh

Jim

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Logo Liscencing on the Internet
From: "Dallas Smith" <dallas.smith AT pobox.com>
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 10:24:07 -0400
X-Message-Number: 2

Hello,
  Another listserv I'm on for VW busses, (I've got a '71) has been contacted
by Volkswagen of  America (VWOA) recently and asked to remove the VW logo on
their website or club names.  One person was making and selling clocks he
made out of old VW Bus hubcaps and even though VWOA no longer sells bus
parts, they told him he wasn't allowed to because the hubcaps have the VW
logo on them.  This is the liscence agreement they're sending out
(http://vwlicense.ipprotector.com/gtc.html).  Has anyone seen this happen
with any other companies?  Is this similar to how pop stars will try and
stop their fan sites?  Can they really do this?
Thanks,
Dallas
--
Dallas Smith
dallas.smith AT pobox.com
http://www.ibiblio.org/~sallad