The ILCA/ISAF were not a part of the contracts between Kirby and the builders and probably don't have access to those documents. I would imagine there was a separate legal agreement covering the conditions for the ILCA/ISAF to supply plaques to builders.
LaserPerformance Statement in connection with the complaint by Bruce Kirby and Bruce Kirby Inc.
3/13/2013
Bruce Kirby and Bruce Kirby Inc. have filed a legal complaint against LaserPerformance entities, the International Sailing Federation Limited (“ISAF”) and International Laser Class Association (“ILCA”). A number of false accusations and claims have been made in the document.
LaserPerformance vehemently deny the allegations made by Mr. Kirby and maintain that these legal proceedings are vexatious in nature at best. LaserPerformance will take all necessary action to contest and defend these ill-conceived and meritless claims.
LaserPerformance is the trademark owner of the Laser name and Starburst mark in all its territories. Mr. Kirby’s complaint does not dispute LaserPerformance’s ownership and use rights in connection thereto.
In fact, the deeper pocketed contestants may win this battle simply by outspending the other side.
.
but
Without the lawyers, the bullys would simply win all the time.
Information posted recently on the ILCA website:
Update on the Ongoing Dispute Between Bruce Kirby, Inc. and LaserPerformance
...The decision to continue ISAF plaque sales (and continue to report them to Kirby, Inc.), taken only after consultation with ILCA's legal advisor and close discussion with ISAF, is seen to be in the best interest of the sailors as it maintains the flow of boats and equipment until such time as a resolution to the dispute is reached....
I think the class will die anytime soon, lose the Olympic status and everybody will have top sail anythign else. I will.
The class will probably be a whole lot better without Olympic status to be fair!
With 200,000+ boats built the class will not die any time soon.
Laser sailing won't die anytime soon because it's fun and challenging. The people who are all up in arms about the topic of this thread are a small minority of all Laser sailors and even they will continue to sail their boats, whether it's a Laser or a Kirby Torch.I think the class will die anytime soon, lose the Olympic status and everybody will have top sail anythign else. I will.
So he gets a royalty of what, about $100 per boat? It's hard to believe that this whole mess is over that. I'm betting LPE wants to make major changes as to HOW they make a Laser. But if they can save another $100, so much the better I guess.
200k boats times $100 per boat is 20 million. In AU they retail for over $7000(I bet BK is getting more than $100). The Dude is 84 years old. I would be pissed as well if the bastards that build my boats won't have the decency to pay me the bit I'm owed.
If he was motivated he could have them all built in Taiwan with better quality and pocket the difference. They do it with $3500 Optimists made in the Far East(brand name).
...The money owed seems just part of the whole suit
200k boats times $100 per boat is 20 million. In AU they retail for over $7000(I bet BK is getting more than $100). The Dude is 84 years old. I would be pissed as well if the bastards that build my boats won't have the decency to pay me the bit I'm owed.
If he was motivated he could have them all built in Taiwan with better quality and pocket the difference. They do it with $3500 Optimists made in the Far East(brand name).
Filing date 2013-03-14. Hmm.
http://trademarks.justia.com/858/76/laser-85876136.html
Filing date 2013-03-14, HMM.
http://trademarks.justia.com/858/76/n-a-85876140.html