Trade marks and bullies

[Treeman]

I was recently  told that Safari bullets had to change their name because Safari Arms sent legal threats because they seem to own the word Safari. I did some chatting back and forth only to find there is a bunch of guys who have had similar tactics against them from safari Arms ?
It seems Safari Arms attacks anyone who tries to have a market in the firearms and hunting industry, one chap was said he had his supplier shut off another his trading name and a few other bully type big legal strong arm tactics.
The statement heard a few times was " Safari Arms feels that there is no need for further dealers other than them"
Then at the local club a whole lot of " nothing new Dave, why do you think i have not bought there in 10 years?" followed by " I am nearly 15  years" and a few other mentions. So there I was catching onto a sentiment that seems rather long standing and growing.
Till I hear other wise I will not be doing anymore purchases there, but still feel its a pity to hear stuff like this.
Has anyone else had, or heard more in this regard, the trying to shut out the markets others and legal threats etc.

[oafpatroll]

Doesn't come as a surprise. Big business, and they are a big  and growing one, isn't a place to find the the meek or charitable. I feel really sorry for Rudi if it's true. If you aim not to give business to companies who do that kind of trademark 'defense' you'll have a very short list of big ones to deal with.

[Treeman]

If you aim not to give business to companies who do that kind of trademark 'defense' you'll have a very short list of big ones to deal with.

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Oh ! - that does not bother me, I am really stubborn in this regard. I think it was Dions that did me in on a set of speakers when I was 19 yrs old, never went back and wrote a 100 letters about it to papers everyone I could. When the shut down I did the same. I have not bought anything at Game since the tent I bought was faulty and they kinda told me tough luck, that was 30 years ago. So yea, if I do this I do it proper and I recruit very well.

[oafpatroll]

I was referring specifically to the trademark bullying. You almost certainly buy regularly from businesses who do it and worse than what you described.

[Ds J]

Ceasar's Pizza had to change their name to Roman's Pizza because Caesar's Palace (casino) wasn't pleased.

We live in a merciless and ruthless world where things like compassion and fairness are - too often - just sweet talk and sales gimmicks.

[Treeman]

How do you take ownership of a word that was there before your business ?

Are we not going to be able to advertise Safari Hats and African safari Hunts because these ^&%(&% want it all ?

[oafpatroll]

My wife had to change her company name which she had been using for 10 years because a large multinational that came into SA had a similar one. The cost of fighting them would have easily exceeded her turnover so it was a self making decision. 

[Ds J]

Toe hierdie saak op Jaracal ter sprake was het iemand genoem dat hulle dit net geïgnoreer het, na 'n ruk het die betrokke groter maatskappy dit laat gaan. Hulle het die naam behou.