The jury trial to determine if the trademarked name “Sturgis” can be retained legally will begin on Monday, October 19th, in federal court. The long running 4 year legal battle between Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Inc. (SMRI) and Rushmore Photo and Gift (RPG) will finally be settled by a jury trial. Wal-Mart has been named as a co-defendant. The outcome will either allow SMRI to continue to enforce their licensing of “Sturgis” as it relates to all rally souvenirs or it will strip SMRI of their claimed rights to a trademark that RPG says they obtained by fraud.
In 2011 SMRI filed suit against RPG for trademark infringement by sales of unlicensed Sturgis motorcycle rally products. RPG sells their Sturgis products to Wal-Mart and many other retail stores. SMRI is the only entity that currently holds the rights to license or sell licenses for the name “Sturgis” in relation to the yearly motorcycle rally held each summer.
RPG has filed a countersuit against SMRI for committing fraud. RPG is asking for damages incurred from loss of business and legal fees. RPG has vigorously defended their right to produce and sell Sturgis rally souvenirs as they have for many years. SMRI began the legal action because they believe the sales of unlicensed rally products “is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake and to deceive consumers and potential consumers,” as stated by the suit.
The jury trial will be held in federal court in Rapid City, SD presided over by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
Phuck Walmart & the Imposter !
SMRI is about to have their ass handed to them on a platter!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Greed. Give it back to the people who started it and it was taken away from.
What about the damage ALREADY done like the lawsuit that force ” Little Sturgis Rally” in Sturgis, KY to change there name and with lost ticket sales and court costs forced the owners to sell the rally costing the town revenue and ending charity raising that had raised over 2 million in the past. Here is a news article about it 4 years ago- http://www.14news.com/story/14008350/little-sturgis-rally-cancelled
If the jury would be all Cyril’s readers, the trademark would be canceled and SMRI condemned to huge damages.
Pb is that it’s 4 years that SMRI is brain washing the locals of the Black Hills into thinking that they represent their interest. So, there is a risk in a jury trial. Selection of jury members is crucial.
Hope that SMRI lose, is dissolved and refund all the vendors who paid the SMRI tax..
Sturgis belongs to all riders, not to anyone. Jury, cancel this abusive trademark.
This little group of people at SMRI have only $$$$ in their eyes. They care about the money, not about the rally.
My advice: no lawyers or courts, ever. This is lining the pockets of professional liars for nothing; because who cares about buying a “rally” shirt at a Walmart? Let the animals eat each other.
What would Sturgis be like if no vendors were allowed and it was just about the riding and the people?
Who really cares? It is the Black Hills Classic. Just ask the Gypsies!
Better call Saul out of retirement for this case!
It’s all greed by SMRI and their merry little gang that started this fiasco. I say let the Native American Indians settle it by surrounding them like Custer and taking the matters into their own hands.
Sturgis (fka Scooptown) was named after Samuel D. Sturgis, the first commander of Ft. Meade. Wait till his ancestors step up for their piece of the action.
Boss Hawg
I hope this “money Game” by SMRI gets broken up! It’s a joke.
Boycott Sturgis or just don’t buy “licensed official genuine” products Remember the OJ jury.
To be honest if they had any F–KING class or conscious THEY WOULD DONATE WHAT EVER ROYALTIES THEIR TRYING TO GET or have collected to the local CHILDREN HOSPITAL OR CHILDREN’S CHARITY………..The Hamsters do it best at their function and these people should learn and do what the Hamsters do!!!
Judging by the clowns populating main street these days, you no longer have a motorcycle rally.
So why pretend that it still is?
If your a tee-shirt, tattoo, or goo-gah vendor, knock yourself out down town. If your a motorcycle vendor go make a deal with another town to set up shop. If ya make and sell a good product bikers will find ya. You’ll only be “a ride away” …….and isn’t that the point….???
-nicker-
Boston Jim,
Is that your code name, good way to hide. I’m assuming your the president of the consortium and this is a jab at the defendants.
at least (unlike many here) Boston Jim left his website link INSTEAD of hiding.
Agree with most of the posts here
SMRI, despite your smokescreen of token deeds for the Sturgis area
The name of Sturgis does NOT belong to you !!!!
it belongs to the townspeople and to every last son (daughter) of a gun
who ever straddled a cycle to ride the Black Hills
Agree with Bean’re, we did not like what you did to the Little Sturgis rally in Ky
What goes around comes around & i hope the Judge gives you, yours !!!!
I hope this will end Soon!! Funny they are doing this after the 75th ! Just sayin ! Some will be happy an some will not Not But The lawyers are making a Killin !!!!! On both sides lol