Custom Machined Parts For Your 370Z

m4a1mustang · 06-16-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

The letter "Z" cannot be trademarked. The stylized version we use in the badge may be construed as a copyrighted logo, however, we have not used it in a manner that would damage the holders original intention, to identify a 370Z. If we placed it on a Honda.... different story!

In the end, the 370Z is still being represented by a factory stylized "Z" similar to the steering wheel logo. I see no court in the world that would convict us for this emblem for this specific use!

Build on! And make mine a front and rear order!!

As a foot note, it IS possible to wire the logo up to a capacitor that would detect finger touches (change in capacitance) and have that wired to the cars alarm sytem when armed... just a thought.

Whether or not we use it in the way the manufacturer intended doesn't matter. You could slap it on your *** for all they care.

The bottom line is producing this for sale is infringment of intellectual property and can result in some big legal trouble if you don't go through the proper channels to work out a licensing agreement.

I just want to make sure our guys cover their bases before putting these things up for sale.

wheee! · 06-16-2010, 02:21 PM

Well then let's not sell them... I say make them free with $XX dollars shipping and "handling"!

m4a1mustang · 06-16-2010, 02:28 PM

Haha!

billydsz · 06-16-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

The letter "Z" cannot be trademarked. The stylized version we use in the badge may be construed as a copyrighted logo, however, we have not used it in a manner that would damage the holders original intention, to identify a 370Z. If we placed it on a Honda.... different story!

In the end, the 370Z is still being represented by a factory stylized "Z" similar to the steering wheel logo. I see no court in the world that would convict us for this emblem for this specific use!

Build on! And make mine a front and rear order!!

As a foot note, it IS possible to wire the logo up to a capacitor that would detect finger touches (change in capacitance) and have that wired to the cars alarm sytem when armed... just a thought.

Hopefully you are right. And perhaps Nissan won't even care, and may perceive it as free advertising. But it should be checked out. At least I would if I was selling this type of stuff. I hope it all works out, I would buy these badges. Nice work.

scruffydog · 06-16-2010, 02:29 PM

I wonder how complicated it is, people that sells License plate frames that has the Z logo (I'd say pretty representable) still went through the whole Copyright process....I'm sure they have to get permission and pay Nissan to manufacture those frames. Unless there's some loop hole I'm not aware of....i.e. not making it exactly the same. But remembering something from my engineering college course about patents and copyright, I think even if it slightly represents the company copyright logo, you may be infringing their patent. I just have to find out the process if we do this legally. That and also see if there's even a market for this as this initially wasn't an idea to make money. But like all business, in order to keep it running, you need to cover a lot of expenses and a profit to keep it running. Otherwise, why should anyone make things at cost when they could just make 1 or 2 for themselves and just call it a day?

Either way, while all this legal stuff is true, I find it kind of funny because we're simply putting a Z logo where it belongs....

billydsz · 06-16-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

Well then let's not sell them... I say make them free with $XX dollars shipping and "handling"!

Unfortunately a legal "sale" of anything does not require money to be exchanged. For example if I gave someone a controlled substance I could be convicted of a drug sale even if I don't receive money.

The law was written that way specifically to prevent people from using that type of loophole.

wheee! · 06-16-2010, 02:43 PM

Well, there has to be at least one Lawyer on the forum! Chime in! Or maybe a dealer has a connection with Nissan that could get us a letter of approval for the forum to sell these exclusively to forum members/Z enthusiasts...

kenchan · 06-16-2010, 02:45 PM

yah, actually it's a patent issue. their logos are their property so they want to get reimbursed for watever you sell with their property on it.

m4a1mustang · 06-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Not a lawyer but I did have to study consumer law. Definitely illegal.

wheee! · 06-16-2010, 03:02 PM

Damn your free cheese....

Prosport Gauges · 06-16-2010, 03:29 PM

how about we just scratch the Z logo all together and do a poll for something else????

Sibze · 06-16-2010, 03:31 PM

pssshhttt what else would you put on it?

OOO make a N and if I turn it sideways that's my business...

billydsz · 06-16-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sibze

pssshhttt what else would you put on it?

OOO make a N and if I turn it sideways that's my business...

LOL that's a great idea!!

Prosport Gauges · 06-16-2010, 03:33 PM

lol make a N and have be able to turn to read Z. If nissan comes to you just be like "its a N"

LOL

frost · 06-16-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Not a lawyer but I did have to study consumer law. Definitely illegal.

Not if it wasn't the same Z, correct? i.e. if the Z looked different.

06-16-2010, 02:21 PM	#317 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Well then let's not sell them... I say make them free with $XX dollars shipping and "handling"! __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

06-16-2010, 02:28 PM	#318 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Haha! __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

06-16-2010, 02:29 PM	#320 (permalink)
scruffydog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,113 Drives: with his eyes close Rep Power: 717	I wonder how complicated it is, people that sells License plate frames that has the Z logo (I'd say pretty representable) still went through the whole Copyright process....I'm sure they have to get permission and pay Nissan to manufacture those frames. Unless there's some loop hole I'm not aware of....i.e. not making it exactly the same. But remembering something from my engineering college course about patents and copyright, I think even if it slightly represents the company copyright logo, you may be infringing their patent. I just have to find out the process if we do this legally. That and also see if there's even a market for this as this initially wasn't an idea to make money. But like all business, in order to keep it running, you need to cover a lot of expenses and a profit to keep it running. Otherwise, why should anyone make things at cost when they could just make 1 or 2 for themselves and just call it a day? Either way, while all this legal stuff is true, I find it kind of funny because we're simply putting a Z logo where it belongs.... Last edited by scruffydog; 06-16-2010 at 02:41 PM.

06-16-2010, 02:43 PM	#322 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Well, there has to be at least one Lawyer on the forum! Chime in! Or maybe a dealer has a connection with Nissan that could get us a letter of approval for the forum to sell these exclusively to forum members/Z enthusiasts... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

06-16-2010, 02:46 PM	#324 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Not a lawyer but I did have to study consumer law. Definitely illegal. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

06-16-2010, 02:45 PM	#323 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yah, actually it's a patent issue. their logos are their property so they want to get reimbursed for watever you sell with their property on it.

06-16-2010, 03:02 PM	#325 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Damn your free cheese.... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

06-16-2010, 03:29 PM	#326 (permalink)
Prosport Gauges Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 339 Drives: 2009 370z Rep Power: 0	how about we just scratch the Z logo all together and do a poll for something else????

06-16-2010, 03:31 PM	#327 (permalink)
Sibze A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 16,202 Drives: In your way Rep Power: 63	pssshhttt what else would you put on it? OOO make a N and if I turn it sideways that's my business...

06-16-2010, 03:33 PM	#329 (permalink)
Prosport Gauges Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 339 Drives: 2009 370z Rep Power: 0	lol make a N and have be able to turn to read Z. If nissan comes to you just be like "its a N" LOL

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