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Post by fastdiesel on Oct 3, 2015 18:17:27 GMT
Having talked to Rich last night, several people jumped to conclusions and started flaming the internet before his intentions were fully discussed with the other NSS organizations. Nobody has asked for a dime to my knowledge. And I personally told Rich I did not support any actions that would cause issues with any racer or group. NSS Inc. is a registered NOT FOR PROFIT corporation, money is not the issue. I will leave it at that, because I don't think with minds that are already made up it would do any good to say more. If you ask some of the older NSS racers in the past other national organizations changed the rules and modified the class to suit their purposes. The original concept was 1966 and older full bodied, big block, dual carburetor, small tire, cars that look period correct to the early days of super stock racing. I like AMC Javelins don't get me wrong but why include them in NSS racing as another group does? That same group if you read the rules they use has dropped the dual carb requirement as well. Years ago the rules committee with members from the popular NSS organizations was formed just to keep the rules from slipping away. I supported this because in fairness when index racing a single holley carb car with a modern manifold has an significant advantage over a crossram with two carters for example. Also as the rules of different groups drift apart it makes it harder to organize large events and keep the class growing, the whole reason in having special cars is so we can race together as a group, it is what makes the class special. In the future having a trademark to protect the class may be very important, if you stop and think about it. I see a lot of hypocrisy in the rules. You have eliminated full-size cars prior to 1961. Are you trying to get rid of certain racers? You say you only want full-size cars, but rules include cars that are not full-size, if the "fit" your member list, i.e. Dart, Barracuda, Fairlane, Comet, '65 z-16 Chevelle and Tempest. Gone are full size Chevys after '65, full size Fords after '64, full size Pontiacs after '63. Appears to be an attempt to selectivly thin the heard. Congratulations, you've just eliminated about a third of current NSS racers. Want to keep the sport like it was, but allow trans brakes and any ignition box? Really? AFBs on a cross ram is not competitive? Better go back and look at numerous manifold combinations available for the Mopars. Also look at who qualifies well AND wins a lot.....dual quad AFB. If you really wanted it to look like it was in the past, why not mechanical fuel pumps, steel rear wheels, dual point distributors, rock hard slicks, etc., etc.? If you want a class that only includes your rules, then have at it. But don't saddle the rest of the world (by way of trademark) with your interpretation of how things should be. Sounds like the federal government to me! Rant over.
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Post by Fugly on Oct 3, 2015 21:44:49 GMT
Damon, Rebelrousers real name is Jim Brandon. Yep, just suggesting everyone use real names on this discussion to avoid " yer a chicken" argument starting
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Post by fastdiesel on Oct 3, 2015 21:52:50 GMT
Jimmy Ray (Tennessee Flash) here!
Love all the NSS groups. Everyone of them has a different flavor, different rules...It's what makes NSS so attractive. Now we have a group (with their "official" trademark!) that says, "Play by our rules, or you can't play at all"! Really?!?!? That a little over-the-top!
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Post by oldracer on Oct 7, 2015 12:35:16 GMT
From: Dave Schultz Date: Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 11:39 PM Subject: Trademark To: "(NSS) Rich Berlisk" , "(NSS) Bob Wilkiewicz"
Just a heads up that this trademark issue isn't going away. I've been in contact with virtually every NSS organization in the country and their memberships are seething with contempt for your club, and you two personally over what so many feel to be wrongful and improper trademarking of descriptive terms, which have been in such wide use for such a long time.
So many people feel your club is so wrong, that over $10,000 has been pledged to help in the Protest process, and a protest filing appointment with a patent and trademark specialist attorney has been set for next week. Without showing all of our hand, you can take my word that victory with the protest is a virtual certainty. I'm sure your attorney has told you that answering these protests are as costly to your club as it will be for us who will be filing them. If your attorney is telling you that you have a chance of winning, I can only assume that he is unaware of the number of racers, tracks, promoters, and clubs outside your little group that have been using this descriptive term for decades. I'm also under the assumption that whomever approve the registration of those terms as trademarks was not made aware of that fact either.
We are in for the long haul to right this wrong, and with my many years in large business ownership, I developed a great smell for what causes are worth fighting for, and then fighting to win. I have an excellent record with my fights for what's right.
I suggest you use this coming weekend to discuss with your club about not only the financial cost; but the cost to your club's (and your personal) reputation, loss of sponsors wanting to distance themselves from your club, bad magazine publicity when they report the facts, and maybe fewer people wanting to book events with someone they might feel acted as a trademark troll in drag racing.
I see no upside in you doing anything but post a press release by Monday stating that you've recently come to the realization that the terms were too widely used for a long period, and too descriptive (Super Stock with Nostalgia) to have been allowed a trademark. As such you will surrender back to Patent and Trademark Office advising that they never again register those terms as trademarks.
Nothing less than that will be acceptable to the throngs of racers I've spoken with, and who have pledged their support - and as such we intend to proceed in defending the Class of Nostalgia Super Stock Racing. This is no bluff. I see plenty of downside to your club starting at that point. We have a very well thought out strategy to activate the involvement of grass roots NSS racers who are far from happy with the two of you doing this to the sport.
I sincerely hope common sense does prevail with your club, and we see your public statement NLT Monday Evening, followed up with proof shortly thereafter.
Ball is in your court.
Regards,
Dave
from hippy Dave's web site
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suzy
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by suzy on Oct 7, 2015 21:23:39 GMT
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Post by rumblefish on Oct 15, 2015 17:05:04 GMT
So What has transpired? The Monday deadline came and went. News ? Things got awfully quiet.
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Post by dragsterdick on Oct 15, 2015 23:09:00 GMT
Yeh Jay, I was wondering the same thing?
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Post by victorynss on Oct 16, 2015 3:52:39 GMT
They declined our offer to do the right thing. Steps are being taken to correct this situation. We need ALL NSS Racers to keep the pressure on these people. This means using social media, your phone and talking face to face when possible to anyone in our Hobby. This includes fellow Racers, Sponsors, Race Tracks,Promoters and Members of NSS Inc. Remember to be professional and stick to the facts. I still believe that not all of their members understand what these 2 individuals are trying to do to OUR great Hobby. They think that they can ride this out and we will relent and give in to them. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN! We are seeking all avenues to end this as quickly as possible. The quickest and best option is still for them give up their claim to what belongs to the entire Race Community and pressure on all involved as well as the passing on of correct information can make this happen. This is your chance to fight for what you love and have worked so hard for. Hundreds of Racers and many Events over the last 25 years have grown NSS Racing to its popularity today. NSS belongs to all participants and fans, not to any one group or individuals. The implications of this are huge and thanks to the freedoms of this great country that we live in, we get to express our thoughts and beliefs. Use your rights now to protect what we hold dear. I know justice will be served and the Hobby will prevail and will be stronger for this. I will keep you updated as things progress. Chris Schneider Victory NSS Director
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Post by victorynss on Oct 29, 2015 0:45:10 GMT
Here is the update to the legal battle over the registering of NSS by our friends at Nostalgia Super Stocks Inc. Doug Duell acquired the services of a very good Patent Attorney and a Petition for Cancellation of the Registration was filed with the Court on the 20th. They [NSS Inc] have 40 days from then to file their response with the court. 3 things can happen: 1. They can not respond and the Court will immediately nullify the Trademark and will make it impossible for anyone to register it in the future. 2. They can agree to dismiss the Trademark on their own and it will be done. 3. They can fight it and both sides will have to fight in court [this will take time and $$$$]. We are prepared for any of these responses. Virtually every other group, Promoter or Sanctioning Body outside of NSS Inc. has joined together against this Trademark. We as a group believe that NSS and Nostalgia Super Stock belongs to the entire racing community, not one entity. We as a Family, NSS Racers and Fans have rallied together to protect the future of what we have worked so hard to grow. They basically have no chance of winning but they can draw it out for a while, costing all more money, time and hard feelings. They are trying to back-step and tell everyone that they had no interest in a monetary gain or to have control over any other group. If this is the case, what was the purpose of doing it in the first place? We as a group can not take the chance of any individual or group to control our Hobby. Whether it was their intention to control or not does not matter now, the opportunity would be there. They can not Trademark a term that has been used in the public domain for over 25 years by many groups, Promoters, Sanctioning Bodies and Tracks. If you know any of the members of NSS Inc, now is the time to professionally and maturely ask them if they really want to continue down this road. The backlash on them will just get worse and it will serve no purpose in the end. The coalition that Doug has put together is prepared to fight this as long as necessary. We will not settle for anything short of the cancellation of the Trademark and the protection of our class of racing. I applaud the great job that Doug has done in bringing all of the NSS Family together in this struggle. I do believe that all NSS groups and racers will be closer from this and will work together more in the future. Stay strong and proud, we will persevere. Thank you all for your support, we will keep you updated as this progresses. Chris Schneider Victory NSS Director
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Post by dragsterdick on Oct 29, 2015 2:24:28 GMT
Thank you Chris for the update. Hopefully this will take care of it, but I for one will provide any kind of help were needed if asked. I really want to thank you and Doug and all others for the time spent and the hard work that has been provided to solve this problem !! We are VICTORY NSS !!
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Post by sportf on Oct 30, 2015 14:40:21 GMT
Well said Dick. Count me in too!
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