Scooter & Dunbarton:

I think the three of us agree.

I too regret, as I said, the sort of final launch of what I would personally say were true inside documents. Up to that point, I still feel it was non-harmful to Ford in the long run absenting the possible Cobra scenario. Once it went beyond that, Bob's your Uncle. Good luck to BON.

Bill

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Bill Murray
Current year Lightning
Oxford Muy Rapido White
Tow Package CD Player
Superchip GTech Meter
HobbyTownUSA Graphics
Identical 1/10 Scale Tamiya RC Truck incl. graphics.
Truck interest e-mail:
fastwhitey@myf150.com
Two decals

 

When you run a clean, honest shop you stay in business. Steve runs a clean, honest shop.

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Ben Mc.----'99 XLT 5.4 SC SB ORP Dk. Red/Dk. Grey----Fact. Cab Steps/Tonneau/Slider----Straight Duals, Superchip, Airaid/KN (non-sag), Ungo Autostart/Keyless Remote, Prime Designs Air/Bug Deflector, Weathertech Wind/Rain Deflecters----PPI 4240 Amp,McIntosh 6x9's w/crossovers front, Polk DB 5.25's rear---Tuessssdayyyy Affffternoooooon----gotta love it!

 

I agree, some of the things they posted last night were over the top. The rest of the site however seemed pretty tame.

All of the automotive magazines quote "reliable sources" when talking about new products from Detroit. I'm sure that everyone has also heard Dateline say "we obtained this document". The only difference is that BON doesn't have any lawyers on retainer and Ford knows it!

What really gets my goat is that it would appear that Ford was upset with the Cobra thing and simply muscled BON into submission simply because they could. That, in my opinion, is what the constitution was written to protect.

Does anyone know for sure exactly what Ford was hauling them to court for? Was it liabel, trademark infringement or something else? Bottom line, I hate when the big guy muscles the little guy just because they can!


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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks and fog light mod.

 

My $1.50 on this is I am a FORD owner, I LOVE MY FORD. And BON went to far - way to far in posting internal FORD documents. This can only hurt FORD which only hurts us, the loyal buyers. And you any of you who still think what they have done is all right, how would you like you name/internal office number and email address posted across the web like that.

They should be punished!!


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1999 F-150 SuperCab Flairside XLT 4x4, Black (w/dark graphite int), Sport Package, 5.4, auto, 3.55LS, skid plates, captains chairs, cd changer, keyless entry, tow package, bed liner, & tonneau cover. Aftermarket Mods - Airaid FIPK, Gibson Side Swept Single, Smittybilt Modular Black Textured Nerfs, Deflecta Shield Magnum Deflector, Ventvisors, Code Alarm SureGuard40 Security, Pioneer TS-A6815 Speakers (x4), & Superchip'd.

 

I'll get to the morality issue tonight, but as a question, can anyone read the documentation on BON? I have tried both home and office PCs and can hardly make sense of it. Won't print out either.

Bill

 

Frankly, this scares me. Legally, Ford Motor Company can request that this site be shut down for Copyright infringement. The "brand" F-150 does belong to Ford and they have the right to enforce it however they choose. I would be quite disappointed if they did ask me to shut the site down, as I know for a fact that it has been used as a resource by some Ford groups for the three years it and the mailing list have been in existence and it creates good will and sales for their products.

I have always been mindful (and respectful) of releasing information that is sent to me (and there is a LOT of it), as well as being respectful of their media dates. I will not post a press release found on their media site until they say I can. Business ethics should just dictate that.

I am not a lawyer, but as for BON, frankly I am surprised that it has lasted as long as it has. Any time you take a company's private intellectual property that has been covertly gathered or emailed to you in confidence, then turn around and publish it for the world to see...well, something just ain't right there. It sounds like it may amount to corporate sabotage to me!

As well informed as you would like Ford fanatics to be, the same informaiton you post for them is now available to Ford's competitors. Is THAT fair? Does that help strengthen the Ford brand? Is publishing a diatribe and releasing even more private information appropriate or mature? Not really.

Let me repeat, I am not a lawyer. I do have respect for First Amendment rights, but in this case I do not think Freedom of Speech, though convenient to hide behind, is even applicable.

That's my $.02. Love it or hate it, it will probably stir additional debate.

(Now I just have to hope that Ford's attorneys do not come after me!)

[This message has been edited by webmaster (edited 08-25-1999).]

 

I really think he (BON) dumped those last documents because he knew the end was near. He has never done something that severe until now -- Ford threatened to shut him down.

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99 F150 XLT Silver 2WD S/C 4.2 5-speed, Superchip, Flowmaster muffler // Rear door switch guards - check them out at http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/show/5031

 

Take a look at this from the front page of the Detroit Free Press this morning: http://www.freep.com/business/qford26.htm

 

For those of you interested in the BON/Ford lawsuit, todays Wall Street Journal had an interesting article that you can read at: http://www.msnbc.com/news/305994.asp

Looks like the Cobra really was what caused Ford to pursue legal action.

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--Scooter
'99 RED LIGHTNING

 

Scooter,

I agree that the Cobra disclosure is what pushed Ford's hot buttons. Also noticed that a federal judge has lifted the previous court order that shut down BON, putting them back in business.

Mike

 

Article dated Aug 31:
http://www.members.tripod.com/webgauge/BlueOvalNews.PDF

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'99 F150 XLT,SC,4.6 auto, no mods...and I am happy with it that way.