MFCA members

[Reginald Rutledge]

but I do know how he feels. I have experienced it for SO many years. I once had a guy tell me that a decal maker just laughed and smiled when he heard I was being sought by the Trademark Management. He asked him if he told. The guy did not reply. So this does go on.

You probably will never find out who that person is but that person will continue to do those types of things when they feel you are taking from their business. One thing I always swore in this game was to never implicate others to the NFL or NCAA. I was fortunate to have an NCAA license for some time. I have entertained thoughts of getting an NFL license. It is a very powerful brand to be associated with.

But the thing is, we've all used the brand in one way or another. So many guys have set up boutique operations using NFL and NCAA logos. This has been all for the better of the hobby as a whole. CowboyMike, there really is no telling who this person could be.

Just be careful and watch your association. Everybody on here don't have your best interest at heart. Those are the real cold hard facts. I wish you well and continue doing the things that you do.

Reg

[Shabby J]

...that some of you are amazed this could happen. There is a darkside to the "group hug" this hobby tries to represent, I have seen, it and lived it first hand and I am not just talking about the recent troubles in Los Angeles, the sickness to which I refer is nationwide.

Many of you are living amongst it right now and don't even know it, because you may think you know who you associate with on these forums, but you really don't know them and have not been exposed to the things you should see or hear from people.

Everyone knows I love the hobby, most think I am an arsehole, that I am fast to accuse and quick to throw under the bus and I am. Guys like me and a lot of others are easy to peg, be they good or bad, but many people on here are just fronting and are not what or how they appear.

I am sure each of you know this already though in some way, shape or form.


This is not a slam on the MFCA, BOD, etc...,etc...just my observations of the hobby in general the last few years.

It's a hobby to most, but to a lot it is the be all end all and defines their existence.

[gridironpainter]

I have been afraid of getting in trouble myself, and I personally have been very carefull to try not to break rules. BUT!!!! I would never expect someone from our own ranks to turn people in. That is just B.S.

I noticed that several websites were gone, or changed drastically, and I had wondered what happend with Beenutt a few months ago.

I know that trademark infringement is a big deal, and I understand why it is set up the way it is. I have some side projects that I don't want people to copy or steal. However, our quaint little hobby can't possibly be threatening the profits of the NFL, and the decals and teams are more of a service than a product. It is just bullying.

As for sites getting caught, I can see the "legal eagles" for the NFL shutting down sites that they come across. But not people in the hobby policing for them. Someone will be in bad karma.

[Shabby J]

The unfortunate truth of the matter is there are haters in this hobby who act out of jealousy, revenge or simply just enjoy the thrill of taking someone down in a cowardly fashion, it's a fact plain and simple.

They are a small minority, but they do damage and build cliques to some extent.

[mark robin]

well, i say make a list of everyone who has NOT burned anyone. and if someone needs a certain item or team, they can handle it privately with any "safe" individuals on this site.


i too would like to know who it was, but please, dont send me an answer if there arent facts. cant stand gossip

[5-13 Studios]

I am of the opinion that ones work should speak for itself. I think that people should use some discretion when when advertising goods on their personal websites that utilize trademarks and copyrights owned by others. There are many ways to go about this and still showcase your work and your talented abilities...

However...

Turning others in is ridiculous, ESPECIALLY in the humble little hobby that we occupy. Make the big boys do their own research, they pay people a lot of money to do such things. Make them earn it. Don't do their work for them.

[warriorman]

It's sad that someone would resort to this. They probaly don't realize that they are hurting the hobby , not just one guy. As far as screening people you deal with , I must say that I've done business with 7 or 8 guys on here and have had nothing short of great experiences ! My long term goal is to buy alil something from everybody that sells products , if possible.

The person(s) that did this should think about all the hurt they have caused. I wish them well , whoever they (he) may be.

[HOOP]

Could it be possible that someone from the Trademark umbrella has signed on to this site as a member, just to keep track of whats going on? Undercover Trademark operative if you will. He signs on to many different sites and joins groups, just catch small guys like us just trying to have a little fun outside of lifes expectations and circumstances. I mean, its not like we run background checks on guys when they sign up.

I dunno, could this be?

Cause for real, i hope its more this than having haters among us.

[warriorman]

Great point ! I get email offers all the time to browse internet looking for products and services. I didn't think about that until now !

[Coach Rip]

I can't believe what many of you are crying about. Some of us got caught with our hand in the cookie jar...............yes,.....I GOT CAUGHT TOO! I had a few conversations with the NFL about eight years ago. Their lawyer was pretty cool with me. She told me my web site violates their trademarks. She told me what to do,............. and IF I complied, ..............I would not have to worry about anything else..............guess what, ......I complied!!!

I got sooo many calls about who did it, who turned me in, .................and every time I told the caller, "I understand what they are doing, if I had a license or brand to protect, I would probably do the same." The callers could draw their own conclusion.

Many of us rationalize that it is ok to violate someone's property, ........

I see so much of "Hey, they make tons of money, why mess with me?" and "I'm/We are not hurting anyone/anything" ..........it all wreaks of "a sense of entitlement" ............... we ARE NOT ENTITLED!

I understand doing what we do, but for Christ's Sake, ..........stop crying when you get caught. They are protecting their property/investment!

It's like the DB who blatantly interferes with the receiver, and acts like he did nothing wrong, when called on it ......................and the other type, after getting called............. just smiles and admits his wrong doing.


Just man up, and change your way of doing business, or continued to get hassled and keep crying " poor pitiful me", .........hey, ..the definition of insanity is do the same thing again and again, and expecting a different outcome! ...................

The continued infringement from us (meaning the hobby), only gives the hobby a continuous black eye.