Opponents to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Inc. (SMRI) holding several Sturgis and Black Hills trademarks regarding the Sturgis Rally just got very good news for their cause. Late on Wednesday evening March 6, 2013, John Simko, United States Judge Magistrate, released a “Report & Recommendation” stating the facts in the case on which a Federal Judge will be ruling on in about 30 days
I am not an attorney, but reading attentively for you the long Magistrate “Report & Recommendation”, it is clear that the Magistrate is throwing out almost all what SMRI had claimed in the past regarding how the trademarks were justified, claimed and obtained. The possibility of fraud(s) committed by SMRI and its members through lies and conceal of information to obtain several Sturgis trademarks from the Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) is even mentioned by the Magistrate and could be decided by a jury.
SMRI has 14 business days (deadline is March 25th) to appeal Magistrate Judge John Simko “Report & Recommendation” for judgment. If the judge in the next 30 days rules against SMRI, no one is going to need to pay a fee to make and sell a Sturgis Rally prodct with “Sturgis” & “Black Hills” on it. The city of Sturgis will no more have to pay for the use of their city name (about $25,000 this year.) If SMRI trademarks would be cancelled, SMRI would be vulnerable to a wave of lawsuits by all those companies who consider themselves damaged by SMRI actions and practices.
I know by your comments on former reports I published on the “SMRI and Opponents Trademarks Battle” that most of you support the fight to keep the words “Sturgis” and “Black Hills” free for all to use. So, if you have time, I recommend that you read the Magistrate “Report & Recommendation” that I obtained. You will learn a lot about the Black Hills/Sturgis history and it’s also a good example of the American justice system at work. To follow…Recommendation & Recommendation Bis
Very happy to read this!
SMRI = Sturgis Motorcycle Racket Inc.
Get up, stand up and fight for your right to use the word Sturgis as much as you want for free. Sturgis, made by bikers for all bikers and belonging to bikers. SMRI is a group of greedy business people spinning the truth about their real objective: MONEY for themselves, not for the rally.
Maybe our American justice system is not too bad. Will know soon.
Finally …. a bit of common sense prevails in this ongoing mess . Shame on SRMI for their attempts to ‘ steal ‘ the very name of the town that gave them every last dime they have today . Cheers for the town of Sturgis and all those that stood their ground and stuck it to SRMI . Now lets just hope the Appeals Court can show as much common sense in their final judgement .
I am thrilled to see this action finally taking place. I understand through local sources that SMRI is financially hurting…GOOD! Greed did not pay off long term. I wonder how Hot Leathers is feeling about all of this.
This is absolutley fantastic news. Greed never pays.
The excreatment is going to hit the rotating vanes.
Shame on SMRI’s PR guy who is accomplice in spinning the truth on the way these trademarks were obtained. Hot Leathers is probably going to be slapped by the judge for evident conflict of interests.
Let’s pray for the end of SMRI and payment of damages to all merchants they abused or discouraged to sell their merchandise during the rally.
Hot Leathers = Unjust enrichment via SMRI.
Great news! SMRI is not run by bikers and most of them don’t even ride. Why should they run the rally. At last an end to their madness. Give the rally back to the people.
Looking forward to hearing what happens in 30 days. Until then no cheering, just hoping.
If this goes against SMRI, then let the lawsuits flow against SMRI. These guys were a scam from the word go. I am glad to see that the system is working (although slowley). The real beauty here would be if someone trademarks the words “SMRI is finally getting what they deserve” and they make money off of it…….
back to normal.
Finally somebody in the justice system sees what a scam this trademark was. Don’t be surprised if 4.3- files bankruptcy the day the verdict is decided
Meant SMRI
Hot Leathers is now focusing their sites on other markets. They have been exhibiting at Hunting and Tattoo Supply trade shows. They know they have burned most of their wholesale accounts by selling their stuff direct and much less then their suggested retail. Why are you dealers still supporting this crook? I am sure they will be trying to trademark common phrases in their new target markets.
Good to hear & Wayyy overdue
Sturgis belong to no one individual or enitity, it belongs to all of us !!!!
BIG NEWS Cyril…really big news.
That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time…..
This whole greed deal is trickling down into the Riders..
I noticed a lot of folks wouldn’t buy a Sturgis tee last year, because they fell abused..
Freedom is not about corralling up public domain..
How about going out and patenting the wheel next ($-(
I will keep my fingers crossed that the judge will rule against SMRI.
Irregardless, I hope everyone will continue to spread the word. Don’t buy from Hot Leathers and feed the kitty of SMRI Inc. It seems like very few people actually are aware of SMRI and what they were doing, and even fewer that Hot Leathers is owned by (now I can’t remember the name) but you get it. DON’T BUY FROM HOT LEATHERS!