<<<<<<<<<<<BEWARE RANT AHEAD>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'm sorry but GM is full of SH!T...
I'll give them their emblems and anything else that is a trademark. But sheet metal, moldings, lenses, etc...?(to quote "60 minutes"... GIVE ME A BREAK!)
That's like saying, the guy that invented tube socks is entitled to profits. Come on, even the patent office has limits on how long you can call something propitiatory.
This is a perfect example of corporate America. "Are your companies profits a little low this year? Well, why not try and get your grubby hands into the little guys profits! After all you do have more lawyers then them."
GM stopped making these parts many years ago... The restoration market would not be as big, if it wasn't for individuals picking up where GM left off. Now that the market is so big GM wants to jump back in.
Competition equals better business, if GM eliminates the little guy. I predict that your average Joe, will not be able to afford a project car.
BTW... Micheal Moore is my hero.
JM
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From: John Nasta[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Reply To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 1:06 PM
To: Olds Mailing List; ElkyMalibu@topica. com; Chevelle List
Subject: [Chevelle-List] NEWSFLASH - the cost of your resto probably just went up
Newsflash - the cost of your resto probably just went up
(by John Nasta)
I was talking this morning with one of the major manufacturers of
reproduction sheet metal, emblems, moldings, and lenses. Apparently they are
not able to ship a major portion of my last order because they received a
"cease and desist" order from GM. It seems that The General is putting the
clamp on the manufacture and distribution of all unlicensed GM reproduction
parts. Manufacturers are allegedly being given a few choices:
1) Form a "strategic partnership" (of sorts) with GM, which involves buying
into a licensing program. It also allows GM to inspect and approve your
manufacturing *and* allows them to audit your books. The premise is that
every restoration part essentially becomes an Authorized GM Restoration
Part. The good news is that this hopefully will mean better quality control.
The bad news (for us) is that GM gets a cut from every part sold (which is
why they reserve the right to audit), and of course these commissions and
audits all add up to increased production costs, which will undoubtedly
trickle down to the consumer level.
I certainly can't blame GM. They have designed innovative and unique
products, at great expense and effort, consistently over a long period of
time. That's a lot of work and intellectual property, and businesses like
this are not easy to build. I believe they have a right to claim ownership
of their designs, and to monitor the integrity of reproduction parts.
Which parts are effected? Anything that is uniquely GM, especially scripts
and emblems, and sheet metal parts. However, the full impact is not yet
realized. I'm sure you will still be able to buy generic items like
hardware, parts that were never made by GM in the first place, and parts
that are already Authorized GM Restoration Parts. It certainly seems that
the major manufacturers will certainly buy into the license agreement rather
than lose their business. This particular manufacturer told me that they
expected to have their deal wrapped up within a month.
Lest we forget, I did mention that the manufacturers & dealers have a few
choices...
2) If you have lots of time & money, and feel that you have sufficient
cause, I suppose you could try to sue GM, but of course they would be suing
you too at that point.
3) You could close your business. This may sound sarcastic, but I would
imagine that some businesses will not want or be able to work with GM, and
they will not legally be able to do business, at least in the U.S.
So, in closing, it seems that GM is extending their market reach, and
learning to make profits from their classic designs. Carroll Shelby is doing
something unique yet similar. He has re-released the Shelby Cobra. The
frame, suspension, sheet metal, detailing, etc. are made to exact original
specifications. In a recent TV interview, he said something to the effect
that he saw other people making a huge profit selling imitations of his
vehicle, and had to ask himself why he was the only person not making money
from it (sic). Will GM eventually go so far as to release a brand new
"classic" Hurst/Olds or Z16 Chevelle? I seriously doubt it. But I think you
can count on the idea that restoration parts prices will probably see a
general increase in price in the near future, and we can only hope that the
quality assurance level will rise concurrently.
It seems that the next shoe will more than likely fall on the late-model
aftermarket parts industry (if it hasn't already).
Well, that's it from the news desk. And now, back to your regular
programming...
John Nasta
http://johnnasta.com/6898
http://johnnasta.com/elcamino
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