Here's a story that makes you wonder... why didn't they feel compelled to
crack down on MG shops using the name "MG" while they owned Rover?
>Mini mayhem******
>Traditional Mini repair and accessory shops in Britain are under siege
>from German giant BMW. The maker, who retained the rights to the marque's
>name after selling Rover to Phoenix, is threatening firms using the word
>Mini in their company title with legal action.
>As the manufacturer prepares to launch its new Mini later this year, it is
>targeting several dozen firms for alleged copyright infringement. Garages
>are being forced to sign a legal undertaking that includes a clause
>forbidding them to service, repair or supply parts for Minis without BMW
>approval. They also have to show BMW all promotional material bearing
>their company's name. A solicitor contacted the Mini Centre in Nottingham
>in May. But even after changing its name to Surf Blue (a Mini paint
>finish), owners Shelly and Gary Wright said BMW pursued the firm for five
>weeks before conceding it had no case to answer.
>Chris Wooden of the Mini Shop in Enfield, London, added: "They're
>bully-boy tactics, but we haven't changed our name." Mike McHale, a
>spokesman at BMW GB, said: "As long as companies don't try to represent
>themselves as part of the official Mini operation, they're okay."
>http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ProfMax/php3/openframe.php3?page=newnews/news
>article.php3?id=851
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Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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