O.K. folks - I think some of us knew this day would come! I just got an email from Jim Oakes at The Ranger Station - it seems Ford's attorneys have contacted him and told him he must "surrender the name The Ranger Station" and "Pay Ford $5000.00 for the improper use of the word Ranger as referenced to the Ford Ranger truck." If they succeed, all of our sites are in jeopardy! Ranger-Forums, RangerPowerSports and Offroad Rangers use the name the same way. Jim suggested contacting Ford and voicing our opinion - here's an excerpt from his email with a sample response and the link to the Ford Contact Page. I urge all of you to do this or we'll have no web sites to hang out on! I did it!
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To whom it may concern:

I am writing concerning your recent legal attacks on various "fan" websites for vehicles such as the Mustang and Ranger. I am insulted by this careless misuse of our legal system and am reconsidering any further vehicle purchases from your company until you cease and desist from any further legal action concerning this subject. I have been a Ford owner for many years and I had hoped to stay that way. These attacks are morally wrong since they are geared towards your customers, and do not instill the least bit of confidence in your brand. For the sake of your business, I ask you to please reconsider immediately.

Thank you.
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Go here:

https://secure.ford.com/footer/conta...=PublicAffairs

Thank you - Jim D
(jimmyd1050)

 

That is ridiculous

 

This **** is wack man.

 

that makes me cry a little inside

 

and way for them to get more Fing money those b@stards

 

do they need money that bad that they are demanding from all the forums.

censored words

 

money grubbing ******

 

Theres no way they could do that, look at all the other Ford forums that use model names. And why are they only going for $5,000?

I would be asking for proof as to weather or not that it is actually Ford's lawyers trying to do this and not some scammer looking for $5,000.00

 

^^^x2

 

i may have heard this earlier on Rangerpowersports.... that is just plain stupid, why should they have to do this when other auto manufacturers are not doing it

 

What I sent.

To whom it may concern,

Are you serious about trying to get "fan" websites to pay Ford money. Ask yourself this? If I demand money from my loyal Ford fans and tell them that their forum websites will be shut down, will they buy from Ford again? Since apparently you have no clue, I will tell you. NO!

People join these sites because they want to show their vehicles, help each other and talk people into possibly buying a Ford vehicle when they join the website and ask how is this vehicle. You should be praising these websites and sending them thank you emails for sending business your way especially since you need all the help you can get.

These actions are cowardly and you wonder why you are asking for billions of dollars from the government.

Thank You
Proud Ford Ranger Owner not proud of Ford

 

Ok, I see it now. Ford is about to flop because they can't budget/spend their money correctly, so now they hire a lawyer to bully a few forums. Oh, this makes perfect sense. we are the people who do not just drive our vehicles from point A to point B. We are the proud. I take great pride in my truck. I get quite a bit of ridicule for having a Ranger instead of a Tacoma or Tundra or whatever the person favors. I proudly stand up for Ford and will defend their name day in and day out. Do not try and tear it down. You bully us one to many times and you(Ford) may find yourselves losing several thousand Ford fans(from several different forums). Financially, this doesn't seem like a wise move to me. No wonder Ford is hurting.

 

Yeah i would never buy a ford again if that would happen. They should be happy about these sites its like free advertising.

 

GREAT! Now "copy and paste" that exact text onto the Ford Contact link I provided at the beginning! Excellent wording and thoughts!

https://secure.ford.com/footer/conta...=PublicAffairs

 

I would seriously sell my Ranger if it goes through.

 

Same thing with Nissan. They tried to sue a computer company but the computer company won because they formed when Nissan was still Datsun.
http://www.digest.com/

 

I got that email too and wondered if it's just a scam, I mean these guys are asking for a billion dollar bailout plan and they want 5 grand from some dude?

Some people need a swift kick in the nuts

 

i seriously doubt thats ford's doings. there is nothing on any of these forums stating they are ford based or owned sites. does that mean that we cant tell people what we drive without getting authority from ford???

 

my gf works for ford, shes gonna find out at lunch tomorrow. ill try to keep you all posted.

 

yet another reason why i am never going to buy another new ford again...

 

I touched it up a bit and sent it.

Here is what I sent:

 

Jim, you and me both bud.

Here's my opinion on it. If they're really that serious about the name "Ranger" then they need to contact the DOW, USFS, and anything that uses the word "ranger" to describe a job. Also, they need to go after Ranger Boats to get the name off of it. Oh and any high school, college, the Texas Rangers... the list goes on.

I'm a proud Ford owner, and wouldn't have it any other way. BUT, IF Ford does this to anyone, I'll take the hit, get rid of my Ford, and drive something else.

 

Def. keep us posted Nick.

 

I'm not gonne worry until I hear it from Christian... no reason to pile on their PR department if it's not real... I mean, we're not making money off of using the name... I'm still holding out for the word from our mods/admins 'cause if they really are gonna go after one site they'll go for them all...

 

so are they going to sue the ppl that have ranger on their license plates? what about the power rangers? this is a childish move on fords part. and if they go through with it then the ranger is up for sale and ill buy a chevy or toyota.