Honda Motor Co., Inc Threatens $10 Million Lawsuit

[Cloud Geek]

"TORRANCE, Calif., September 01, 2004 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc today announced immediate plans to enter a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Miami, Florida-based Alienware? Corporation. Alienware? Corporation recently launched a new personal computer hardware unit entitled the Alienware? ALX. American Honda Motor Co., Inc was granted exclusive use of the ALX moniker by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 21, 2002 for use with American Honda Motor Co., Inc 's LX trim of its Accord Sedan ("Accord LX Sedan," "ALX Sedan?), the ultimate combination of performance and value. American Honda Motor Co., Inc will use its reserved rights to monetary compensation for consumer confusion. The $10 Million lawsuit will be made official on September 13, 2004 at the Torrance, California High Court unless Alienware Corporation immediately re-brands its Alienware ALX personal computer hardware unit.

"American Honda Motor Co., Inc prides itself in maintaining a strong brand that our consumers trust and we earnestly believe that Alienware Corporation's trademark infringement has caused consumer confusion regarding our popular ALX Sedan brand" said Tom Peyton, senior attorney at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We will seek compensation if another company attempts to ruin our brand."

"We are pleased with Honda's strong performance this year and believe that it has to do with our recent brand re-launch" said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We're committed to maintaining optimal brand management."

About Honda

For more than 40 years, Honda has continued to grow and expand in America. Today, with a presence in all 50 states, our investment in sales, manufacturing and research operations in the U.S. exceeds $5.9 billion. Honda's direct employment in the U.S. rose to 24,000 associates with an annual payroll of $1.2 billion. Our plants, facilities and authorized dealerships currently employ more than 120,000 Americans. Through reinvestment of profits in the U.S., we continually modernize our plants with the newest generation of manufacturing equipment, allowing greater model flexibility, higher levels of quality and quicker response to changing consumer demands. Honda's success in the global marketplace relies on its commitment to continued investment in America's future. That's been our philosophy since we first started U.S. operations over 40 years ago.

Commitment. Pure and simple. It's what we believe in. It's what you expect, and it's why we will continue to grow in America.

For additional information on Honda in America, please contact our Government Relations office at: 1001 G St. NW, Suite 950, Washington, D.C. 20001."

info from:thinkjose1

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=39782

[[Pirate]]

:sleep: morons. who can trademark 3 freakin letters of the english language?

[Veedems Veteran]

Alienware is in the wrong and has to change it. If they try to dispute this, they are idiots.

[Cloud Geek]

:p

[+chorpeac MVC]

ouch, that's a nasty slap in the face to Alienware....

"What did the five fingers say to the face....SLAP!" :argue:

[Cloud Geek]

"TORRANCE, Calif., September 01, 2004 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc today announced immediate plans to enter a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Miami, Florida-based Alienware? Corporation. Alienware? Corporation recently launched a new personal computer hardware unit entitled the Alienware? ALX. American Honda Motor Co., Inc was granted exclusive use of the ALX moniker by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 21, 2002 for use with American Honda Motor Co., Inc 's LX trim of its Accord Sedan ("Accord LX Sedan," "ALX Sedan?), the ultimate combination of performance and value. American Honda Motor Co., Inc will use its reserved rights to monetary compensation for consumer confusion. The $10 Million lawsuit will be made official on September 13, 2004 at the Torrance, California High Court unless Alienware Corporation immediately re-brands its Alienware ALX personal computer hardware unit.

"American Honda Motor Co., Inc prides itself in maintaining a strong brand that our consumers trust and we earnestly believe that Alienware Corporation's trademark infringement has caused consumer confusion regarding our popular ALX Sedan brand" said Tom Peyton, senior attorney at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We will seek compensation if another company attempts to ruin our brand."

"We are pleased with Honda's strong performance this year and believe that it has to do with our recent brand re-launch" said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We're committed to maintaining optimal brand management."

About Honda

For more than 40 years, Honda has continued to grow and expand in America. Today, with a presence in all 50 states, our investment in sales, manufacturing and research operations in the U.S. exceeds $5.9 billion. Honda's direct employment in the U.S. rose to 24,000 associates with an annual payroll of $1.2 billion. Our plants, facilities and authorized dealerships currently employ more than 120,000 Americans. Through reinvestment of profits in the U.S., we continually modernize our plants with the newest generation of manufacturing equipment, allowing greater model flexibility, higher levels of quality and quicker response to changing consumer demands. Honda's success in the global marketplace relies on its commitment to continued investment in America's future. That's been our philosophy since we first started U.S. operations over 40 years ago.

Commitment. Pure and simple. It's what we believe in. It's what you expect, and it's why we will continue to grow in America.

For additional information on Honda in America, please contact our Government Relations office at: 1001 G St. NW, Suite 950, Washington, D.C. 20001."

info from:thinkjose1

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=39782

"American Honda Motor Co., Inc was granted exclusive use of the

[jerry]

bye bye Alienware. <Sarcasm>

[R2x]

I like Alienware. I think there should be laws against trade marking letters that aren't actual names of products. Copyright an acronym?.......c'mon.

By the way, I recently sold my 2003 Civic DX and upgraded to a Hyundai XG300. Best d4mn switch I ever made. This article just makes me even more glad that I did. Go Alienware! :alien:

[Cloud Geek]

i hate when people make stupid Lawsuits against great companys like intel ,microsoft,alienware

[Veedems Veteran]

Why should there be laws against letter trademarks? So if I name a car an ALX, then someone should be free to name their car also an ALX? No, not at all. Honda trade marked it and Alienware screwed up and used it and now has to change it. Simple as that. Sometimes fanboyism baffles me completely.

[kagaku]

I thought trademarks only applied to something that a consumer could easily confuse? Example: Acura releases a car called the Acura Light Xtreme (I can't think of anything else, shut up), and markets it as the ALX. A consumer could easily confuse the Honda ALX with the Acura ALX, correct? I don't see how anyone could confuse a computer with an automobile. I might be wrong, but I'd imagine Alienware has a case. (no pun intended o.0)

[Veedems Veteran]

It is also possible to receive trademark status for identification that is not on its face distinct or unique but which has developed a secondary meaning over time that identifies it with the product or seller.

That's where Honda wins, hands down.

Source: Cornell Law

[R2x]

ALX is obviously not a name but an acronym. I agree a computer and a car are pretty easy to distinguish from each other. :alien: :alien: :alien:

[Veedems Veteran]

ALX is obviously not a name but an acronym. I agree a computer and a car are pretty easy to distinguish from each other.  :alien:  :alien:  :alien:

It doesn't matter. Honda is using ALX to associate with Honda. Alienware using the trademark can, possibly, cause confusion and make a consumer believe that Honda can somehow be involved with the product.

[AltecXP]

lol the PC probably has more torque then the honda

[SimplyPotatoes]

no biggie for alienware to change this, i doubt they wanna bring it to court.

[R2x]

My eMachine has more torque. :woot:

[Veedems Veteran]

And there goes the mature discussion.....

[Garrett Socling]

I believe that it is only important when there is intent or 'ability' to confuse consumers as to who they are buying what from.

I thought you could start a burger joint and call it McDonalds...as long as you don't try to suggest that you are in any way affiliated with the McDonalds of the Golden Bosom.

With trademarks and whatnot, I am not as sure, but you would think trademarks would be regulated in a similar manner : as long as there was no confusion as to who was offering what, each market and company could label things in any desired manner. That is why you would apply for protection : to secure your nitch from competitors attempting to use your brand to their own betterment. I am no expert, however.

In a situation such as this, with two vastly different markets, I can't see how Alienware is in any way infringing on any trademark or brand recognition...regardless of what some dip**** judge eventually decides. In real life, it doesn't make a difference. You would think that reason and common sense would prevail in the judicial system. (of course, considering the mental depth of the average ****tard, maybe seeing the letters ALX would equate some sort of cross-market association...)

We'll see.

A gigantic pile of horse**** if you ask me. **** Honda. That business decision shows how far they bend over for their team of laywers.

There is a world of difference between prudent protection of your business assets, branding included, and lawsuits for lawsuits sake. Reminds me of Microsoft.

****, the whole system is ******.

Who made this ****** system.

Who is going to fix this ****** system.

Sanity has to start somewhere...where...how...

:cry:

[Veedems Veteran]

Do you not see that Honda has every right to protect their trademark? I quoted the damn law from Cornell for God's sake. If Honda wishes to use the trademark to identify itself, which is seems to be doing with it's recent public makeover, it has every right to step up and stop other people from using it.

Garrett Socling: How about less swearing and more thought?

[Garrett Socling]

'Quote the damn law' all you want, it doesn't change the fact that no one is going to confuse Alienware and computers with Honda and automobiles.

Hey, at least I don't try to avoid the ****ing filters, like half the people around here.

"Look, I can spell this swearword with numbers and it gets through...hehe..."

[Veedems Veteran]

The law is the law, simple as that. Just because you have some sideways view of things doesn't mean Honda is in the wrong. Just like if someone years ago used the phrase "Where do you want to go today?", MS would have had every right to go after them.

[Garrett Socling]

...if someone years ago used the phrase "Where do you want to go today?", MS would have had every right to go after them.

That I can understand.

[RogueJawa]

"American Honda Motor Co., Inc was granted exclusive use of the ALX moniker by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on February 21, 2002"

i don't think alx moniker is the same as"alx" :rolleyes:

moniker means name or nickname for something, they were granted exclusive use of the ALX name.

[leedogg]

I thought trademarks only applied to something that a consumer could easily confuse? Example: Acura releases a car called the Acura Light Xtreme (I can't think of anything else, shut up), and markets it as the ALX. A consumer could easily confuse the Honda ALX with the Acura ALX, correct? I don't see how anyone could confuse a computer with an automobile. I might be wrong, but I'd imagine Alienware has a case. (no pun intended o.0)

Hehe so Honda can sue its own Acura division :p