[SFDXA] This is a bad trend…..

Mon Jan 13 08:32:54 EST 2014

Whoah!!!  I take it back, I did a deeper search, they indeed DID register "DX 
DINNER". Here are the details, and the attorney's name.

Word Mark DX DINNER
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Providing recognition and 
incentives through an annual social gathering
event and ceremony to demonstrate excellence in the field of amateur radio. 
FIRST USE: 19860430.
FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19860430
Standard
Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85803177
Filing Date December 14, 2012
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Date Amended to
Current Register September 30, 2013
Registration
Number 4441611
Registration Date November 26, 2013
Owner (REGISTRANT) Southwest Ohio DX Association CORPORATION OHIO P.O. Box 211 
Monroe OHIO
45050
Attorney of Record Karen Kreider Gaunt
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register SUPPLEMENTAL

On 1/13/2014 8:20 AM, Kai wrote:
> 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
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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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> ______________________________________________________________
> 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