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Help... FF1 needs a lawyer?

Submitted by ff1 on 11 June, 2012 - 23:06

I have just received a letter from 'Formula One Management Ltd' informing me that I need to remove any 'unlicensed Formula One Entities' from this website. If I understand the letter correctly, it will spell the end of this website. So I really need help interpreting the letter and drafting a response.

If anyone is or knows a lawyer who could help me with this, I would be very grateful. I make no money from this site and cannot afford to spend any money defending it, so I can't pay for advice.

If anyone thinks they may be able to help and/or would like to see a copy of the letter, please post a comment and I'll email it to you.

Thanks in advance.
Ian
:(

General discussion

Comments

Sorry to hear this Ian -

Submitted by the-muffin-man on 12 June, 2012 - 20:47.

Sorry to hear this Ian - that's really bad news.

The F1 powers strike again to hit out at ordinary fans just having a bit of fun.

I've re-posted this appeal on other forums I use as you never know who's out there who can offer help! Perhaps others could do the same.

Really hope you get this sorted soon.

Re: Help... FF1 needs a lawyer?

Submitted by ff1 on 13 June, 2012 - 23:35.

Thanks, Tim.

I'll keep you all updated...

Help... FF1 needs a lawyer?

Submitted by Johnb1 on 18 June, 2012 - 09:33.

Hi Ian,

This is terrible news and i hope that it can sorted out but against the might of F1 it doesn't look very hopeful.

To get round having unlicensed F1 entities on your website could you not adopt the approach took by the older versions of Pro Evolution Soccer and just change the names of the teams/drivers slightly? eg Maclaren, Fiat, Vittel or Shoemaker etc,...

just a thought and hope you can resolve this Ian.

What, exactly, is an

Submitted by chopps on 18 June, 2012 - 19:39.

What, exactly, is an unlicenced formula one entity anyway?

I see no logos, images, photos and so on? I hope you can get some proper advice, but there's nothing on your site that I couldn't find on any motor sport news website, official or otherwise.

We have the names of the drivers, and the names of the teams, and the names of the engines. Surely FOM aren't trying to stop fans from refering to these entities by name? That would just be mischief making.

Can you ask them to put simply exactly what they want you to remove and why? Hopefully common sense will prevail.

Good luck fella.

HI, I'm not a lawer but what

Submitted by s0up_dragon on 19 June, 2012 - 14:08.

HI, I'm not a lawer but what myself and a colleague think this means is any references or use of tradmarks etc held by FOM. This website (http://www.formula1.com/termsandconditions.html#copyright) describes what things are protected by their trademarks and includes FORMULA 1, FORMULA ONE, F1 STORE, F1, GRAND PRIX. So I think you would need to remove these things from the site which would also mean a name change I guess. It might be OK for you to reply acknowledging the request and stating that it will take some time to do which might at least get you to the end of the season, then you can re-brand as 'Fantasy1formula' next year. As I said, I'm no expert here so good luck and keep us posted.

Citizen's Advice Bureau

Submitted by switchback on 20 June, 2012 - 09:50.

I think you can arrange for an hour of free legal advice with a lawyer through your local Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Hope that helps

F1 Letter

Submitted by Limeys Layabouts on 20 June, 2012 - 14:52.

I'd like to see a copy of this letter.

good luck and i hope sense

Submitted by rawsy on 24 June, 2012 - 15:57.

good luck and i hope sense prevails. FOM are beign pretty petty here. i hope it is just a case of removeing the 1 from the site name. i wish i could help and if there is an oppertunity to i will.

not that i think it will help but maybe petition them
? if they see how many f1 fans enjoy this site who knows they may trey and buy you out and make some money off of us lot.

(KTDot's brother/joint team-manager)

Submitted by KTDot on 24 June, 2012 - 16:08.

From reading Joe Saward's blog, FOM claim "F1" as a trademark, but have not been granted it. Ask them for clarification of exactly what they object to. Might be worth changing all the "Formula 1" references to "F1". If they object to that, ask them to provide proof they own the "F1" trademark. I think they are trying to bully you with bluff. They do not even own or control the www.formulaone.com address (as opposed to www.formula1.com).

F1 Copyright (& bulls**t)

Submitted by sb1312 on 25 June, 2012 - 15:16.

Hi mate,
It looks to me as though FOM are trying it on, after having read through their t&c's you are not contravening any laws, I do remember a few years ago that a big corporation tried stopping a fella who was just trying to earn a living all he did was to "leak" the letter to the press and they were all over it, like a rash and they withdrew any further action. Maybe you should do the same thing or if you send a copy to me I will do it for you.
Are you registered for the FOM site? if not this is what the problem could be, and them saying no one can use the term "Formula One" without their express permission is a load of twaddle, formula one has been around far longer that the FOM and they cannot lay rights to that name as they did not invent it, they can lay rights to the use of the F1 logo as they were the designers and they have copyright.
I have now retired from my work and if I can help in any way please do not hesitate to contact me.
If anyone wants to complain to FOM the email address is wwte@gpt.at ;

Bad News...

Submitted by btlanglands on 25 June, 2012 - 21:26.

If you would care to get in touch with me via email (you will have my address from sign-up information) I may be prepared to assist you. I am a solicitor.

Thank you all

Submitted by ff1 on 25 June, 2012 - 23:17.

Thank you to everyone who has commented on this. I really do appreciate the support and suggestions. :o)

Has there been any update on

Submitted by garybillington on 2 July, 2012 - 12:02.

Has there been any update on what is happening with this yet? Like everyone else here, I wouldn't want to lose this site because the powers that be don't like it, so it would be good to know what's going on or when it's likely to be resolved by.

No progress yet...

Submitted by ff1 on 2 July, 2012 - 20:59.

No progress yet... I'm in the process of formulating a response. I don't want to rush into anything, so I expect this whole process to take several months. I'll post any updates to this thread as they happen.

For info...

Submitted by ff1 on 2 July, 2012 - 21:06.

Another fantasy f1 site, fantasyf1league.com has taken the decision to shut down based on the contents of the letter I received. I understand why the owner of that site has made that decision, but I'm hoping I can avoid that. Fingers crossed!

I hope it turns out to be

Submitted by CuRtiS on 23 July, 2012 - 01:56.

I hope it turns out to be nothing more than the "F1" part that you have to deal with if anything. But seriously, if you have to rename the site 'pinkfuzzybunnies.com' I'll still brag about it to my friends and support you all the way! Don't give up!!!

Cheers! :oD

Submitted by ff1 on 26 July, 2012 - 23:21.

Cheers! :oD

...

Submitted by strachan33 on 30 July, 2012 - 17:26.

Just misspell everything by one letter! Tell them "F1" actually means Farmula 1, and that it's all about hypothetical races using farm equipment. Any similarities to Formula 1 are coincidental. ;-)

Fernindo Alanso, Fararri, Murcedes. ;-)

There, no copyright infringement!