Why change?
This is where things start to get slightly complex! In the past when deciding on a name I've simply thought of something that sounds good to me and fits in with my project in some way, then done a quick google search to see if there is someone else using the name for something similar, if not I've gone with that name. This approach has been fine up until now and Trademarking hadn't even entered my thoughts.... Turns out that the Vortex name has been used by another brand for a bike related product, on top of that that brand has taken the precaution to Trademark the name. This gives them the right to legally try to stop others using the same name for a similar product. So it's pretty clear, I needed to find another name! Easy, just think of something else? Yes and no..... I spent well over a week thinking about new names (we had something like 500 suggestions through comments on my social media posts Cheers everyone!) and came up with a list of 10 or so great ones. I checked them all for trademarks and narrowed down to just a couple of options. But how do I stop this problem arising again? Well, I could take out a trademark to protect my new name right? This costs money to do and if someone else started using my name I couldn't afford to actually defend my trademark! So trademarking for me seems pointless, but what if someone comes along and trademarks my new name after I've been using it for a while? In this case I would have some rights as long as I have proof of prior use. Exactly how it would play out if they decided to try to stop me using the name is unclear and I'd imagine would get complicated and stressful very quickly! All this is a lot of fuss and worry for a one man band who's only really interested in manufacturing great frames. So I'm cutting it out completely by taking a simple and obvious approach to naming my full suspension frames. From now onwards, they'll simply be designated their rear travel number as the name. I'm also going to be officially recording these names on my site (and I guess this blog post!) as unregistered trade marks... So '155' and also 'onefivefive' will be my unregistered trademarks for this frame from this date onwards. All this makes me realise why so many brands use numbering systems to name their products!
5 Comments
Noah
14/5/2020 03:45:08 pm
Naming is hard! I work in computer games and it's the same for us. All the good names are taken and trademarking every character just isn't worth it. Anyway this new frame of yours looks absolutely brilliant.
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5/6/2020 10:17:17 am
It is a very useful project. Such scientific projects lead towards new inventions. Their point of view regarding this project is very clear, they will utilize travelling through bicycles to get electrical charge which in turn can be used for next purposes.
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samuel
7/8/2020 10:27:06 am
Hello, i get in contact via email with Swarf, i'm asking for spare contour frame, and for 155 also...not answer! I post here in hoping to get an answer. Thanks!
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Mi
22/10/2020 09:00:11 am
Please!!! make a 27.5 Version with shorter chainstays at around 425/430mm. Would really love to see that and maybe call it my future bike :)
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20/11/2020 07:46:21 pm
Good luck with such a project! I will be using special aluminum for my new bike, but I get it straight from the Altai mountains. I can send it by mail if you like.
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AuthorAdrian Bedford Archives
May 2020
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