[SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..

[Kai]

All
I have done a search of the US Patent Office for any registered trade marks for 
"DX Dinner" and "DXpedition of the Year" at
   http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=4809:7evram.1.1

There is NO such registration. They may claim a trademark (and use "TM" in a 
circle with the name) without registering it, but that carries little weight 
without a formal registration with the USPTO. In fact we could do it.  If 
registered, they would use "R" in a circle. There are huge penalties for misuse 
of these symbols.

Exactly what are they doing? Anybody know?
73,
Kai, KE4PT

On 1/13/2014 7:38 AM, Pete Rimmel N8PR wrote:
> Don
>
> We have been having a DX Dinner almost since the beginning of the SFDXA.  We 
> used to have 40-50 people attend on Saturday nights (of the hamfest) and it 
> was done banquet style.  We gave out awards and had a guest speaker.  Now 
> since the renewal of the Miami Hamfest, we have started it again...  If we 
> cannot call it a DX Dinner, what are we supposed to call it?   I would hate to 
> think that the SWODXA would try to enjoin us from calling our Saturday night 
> by our DX club a "DX Dinner".
>
> PeteR
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Donald Drennon
> Sent: Monday, January 13, 2014 7:17 AM
> To: SFDXA
> Subject: Re: [SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..
>
> Waiting for one of lawyers to chime in before I comment. Hi.
>
> Sent from my New iPad
>
>> On Jan 12, 2014, at 11:21 PM, "Pete Rimmel N8PR" <n8pr1 at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>
>> 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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>> South Florida DX Assoc.
>> SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
>> SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
>> To Post: mailto:SFDXA at mailman.qth.net
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> ______________________________________________________________
> South Florida DX Assoc.
> SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
> SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
> To Post: mailto:SFDXA at mailman.qth.net
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or Subscribe:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sfdxa
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ______________________________________________________________
> South Florida DX Assoc.
> SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
> SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
> To Post: mailto:SFDXA at mailman.qth.net
> To UNSUBSCRIBE or Subscribe:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sfdxa
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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