Racer Brown Wrote:Didn't I see that about some guys from Mopar Collecter Guide a few years ago?????????????????
It was actually folks from Laysons Restoration Parts that Chrysler had arrested after Laysons continued to reproduce parts with Chrysler part numbers and logos on without permission from Chrysler to do so Steve. There were some folks from Mopar Collectors Guide Magazine at the show as well covering the event, but they were not involved with the problems between Chrysler and Laysons other than to cover the story as it progressed.
I'd highly recommend to anyone who wants to reproduce Mopar parts with factory part numbers and Chrysler logos on those parts to make sure that they get Chrysler / Fiat's permission and pay the licensing fees, or things will go badly. Not really sure what Chrysler's position would be on making parts without part numbers and logos as in this case with the hood letters, but it might be a good idea to ask Rich before you go much farther with this project, especially if you have plans to sell them to others. To be perfectly honest, Chrysler hasn't given a damn about these hood letters, or any other parts that used on the 1967 Coronets for 50 years, but if someone were to start reproducing any of those parts and selling them, they will be interested again very quickly.
Not to start another conversation on your thread Rich, but copyright laws in my opinion are a complete cluster**** and need to be completely rewritten, especially when the company holding those copyrights have shown no interest in the items being copyright protected. ing
Richard
For some unknown reason, nobody seems to take me seriously............
Richard, they way I'm making these letters is no different that let's say Felpro makes a valve cover gasket for a /6. It is clearly a part for a specific Mopar engine, but it is considered after market. Felpro puts its name on it, not Chryslers name. If the 5 letters were made as one unit, I would never be able to make any with out Chryslers permission. Same goes for the R/T and other monikers. That is why most of Year One's emblems all of a sudden were on national back order, then went almost completely away. There were guys making these copyrighted emblems for years because Chrysler didn't care and I think it get a little out of control. I also think the Laysons debacle has much more to the story than we will ever know. I have a funny feeling he ignored or didn't honor requests/demands that led to what we do know happened. Keep in mind Year One was selling R/T, SuperBee and many other clearly copyrighted emblems and nothing happened to them. Most likely they took Chryslers demands seriously and complied.
If this works out well, I may consider other things including licensing for specific "things" LOL
President, New England chapter of Coronetaholics anonomous.
I agree Rich, it was documented that Laysons had been ignoring cease and desist orders from Chrysler until Chrysler had enough and took action. I can't speak about anything regarding Year One, but I would have thought that they would have gotten permission from Chrysler and paid the licensing fees to reproduce many of the parts they've been offering for many years, but maybe not.
I'm just concerned about you my friend, so please be careful with this project. Those hood letters are badly needed indeed, but not at the risk of you getting in hot water with Fiat and Chrysler. After seeing Chrysler go after various Mopar clubs around the country years ago for using various Chrysler copyrighted names and logos, nothing would surprise me regarding what they'd do if copyrights were involved. Situations like this is exactly why I'd like to see copyright laws revisited and specific time limits put into place on how long they can legally remain in place.
Richard
For some unknown reason, nobody seems to take me seriously............
Well, for years when the car restoration phase started, Chrysler could care less, then someone up there said "Hey, we can make a ton of money, like taxing anyone that repops a Mopar part!!
Objects quickly DISAPPEAR in the rearview mirror and PLEASE stay seated until the ride comes to a complete stop!!
So I finally got the brass ones back. They are not perfect, but I think will do fine. The fronts I think are great, but the backs were a little over tumbled and lost some mold line detail I really wanted to be in there. I can rough it up a little with a file, but I think it will still not look like the originals. I think I'm being too picky. I've been having a hard time getting these guys to understand I wanted to keep some imperfections to make them look like real production parts.
I'm going to try to get them to the caster soon so I can start the process.
President, New England chapter of Coronetaholics anonomous.