[SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..

[Pete Rimmel N8PR]

I agree wholeheartedly...

PeteR  N8PR

-----Original Message----- 
From: Todd Coulter
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2014 8:16 PM
To: sfdxa
Subject: [SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..

Copied from the N6PSE website. 
http://n6pse.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/this-is-a-bad-trend-2/


The hobby of amateur radio has many phrases and a unique terminology. Within 
DXing we have a
unique set of terms that we use regularly. QSO, contact, QSL, QRZ, 
five-nine, pileup, 73 and many others.
Each year at about this time of the year, we think about the best 
DXpeditions of the previous year and who might win
the various awards for the best DXpedition. These awards are commonly known 
as “DXpedition of the Year” and they are
often given at the “DX Dinner”.
A number of clubs and international amateur websites give a DXpedition of 
the Year award and many clubs and conventions
have a DX Dinner. This is all good so far.
Here is the rub, the Southwest Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) has trademarked 
the
terms “DXpedition of the Year” and “DX Dinner”.
This essentially makes these terms belong to them for their use and control.
They can file suit and prosecute anyone else who uses these terms without 
their permission.
Now I’m not a lawyer (obviously) but how can a club trademark terms that we 
all know and use?
What’s next? Will they trademark the term DX? (too late its already 
trademarked)
Will they trademark the term DXpedition? How about Contest or DX Contest?
I think trademarking these common terms within our hobby is wrong.
I liken it to the same greedy and “me me me” attitude so prevalent in our 
hobby these days.
The SWODXA organization is a great club and they are very generous to 
DXpeditions.
That is why this trend is even more wrong for them to undertake. I think it 
tarnishes their stellar image.
I liken it to the Contesters creating phony clubs and hoarding all of the 
available 1X2 call signs for
their phony clubs. This is a bad trend and it concerns me what will be 
trademarked next?
The Southwest Ohio DX Association needs to rethink their trademarking policy 
and give these terms
back to the hobby of amateur radio for everyone to use freely.
What do you think?
______________________________________________________________
South Florida DX Assoc.
SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
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