crisis in modeling?
by Bill at 2/11/2004 04:33:00 PM
There has been a lot of talk in this blog about what may be going wrong in this country both politically and socially. Maybe...maybe too much talk.
Anyway, I would like to point out a troubling issue that his been ignored by the president and the democratic hopefuls. Union Pacific plans on charging licensing fees for all model trains bearing there trademark. They are doing so in the name of "brand protection" and such. So be it, right? But do you think it is just or sensible to charge also for long defunct brands that had been bought up years ago. For example, Great Northern bought Northern Pacific, which later mearged with Burlington, which later mearged with Santa Fe (which was previously American Topeka Santa Fe), does BNSF really own the trademarks rights to Northern Pacific? Granted the licensing fee will only add 5 dollars on average to every 100 dollar piece. Still if you read the train forums you would think the sky is falling.
Check out this SF Gate artcicle for a well rounded discussion.
Thought it was kinda interesting and may pose some theoretical similarities to who owns online music rights. When does something become "common" property and who decides?
In closing, this Blog is not a rebel blog, this blog is...
Anyway, I would like to point out a troubling issue that his been ignored by the president and the democratic hopefuls. Union Pacific plans on charging licensing fees for all model trains bearing there trademark. They are doing so in the name of "brand protection" and such. So be it, right? But do you think it is just or sensible to charge also for long defunct brands that had been bought up years ago. For example, Great Northern bought Northern Pacific, which later mearged with Burlington, which later mearged with Santa Fe (which was previously American Topeka Santa Fe), does BNSF really own the trademarks rights to Northern Pacific? Granted the licensing fee will only add 5 dollars on average to every 100 dollar piece. Still if you read the train forums you would think the sky is falling.
Check out this SF Gate artcicle for a well rounded discussion.
Thought it was kinda interesting and may pose some theoretical similarities to who owns online music rights. When does something become "common" property and who decides?
In closing, this Blog is not a rebel blog, this blog is...
