New Union Pacific Hertiage Paint Scheme - Southern Pacific
According to a post on the O Gauge Railroading forum MTH’s Mike Wolf, during a promotional appearance at a Reno, NV train shop, stated that MTH will be producing model locomotives sporting the Union Pacific "Heritage" paint schemes. Surprising news given that MTH is currently in court with Union Pacific over a trademark infringement suit raised against MTH by UP. Here’s hoping that the case doesn’t impact MTH’s plans because the most recent Heritage paint scheme representing the Southern Pacific is fantastic. Click on the link below to read on
Continue to read New Union Pacific Hertiage Paint Scheme - Southern Pacific
A Summary Of The Union Pacific MTH Trademark Infringement Case by Erol Gurcan
August 11, 2006-Over the last several months, there has been a lot of discussion on the OGR on line forum about the validity (or lack thereof) of Union Pacific’s three trademark infringement lawsuits (against Lionel, MTH and train photographer Nils Huxtable), but little information concerning the specifics in each lawsuit. There was also plenty of discussion last week because of a UP press release on its web site regarding its trademark licensing program. That memo stated in part; Click on the link below to read on
Continue to read A Summary Of The Union Pacific MTH Trademark Infringement Case by Erol Gurcan
Union Pacific is at it Again!
Union Pacific, who recently filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Lionel and MTH, has filed a similar suit against photographer Nils Huxtable for publishing a calendar. A group has set up a web site and a legal defense fund to assist Mr. Huxtable in his fight against UP. Here is an excerpt from the site:
Ron
Paludan, working on behalf of the Steamscenes Legal Defense Fund,
stated recently, "Union Pacific Railroad Company’s use of its vast
legal resources is harming Steamscenes, a small company that produces
publications that ironically enhance U.P.’s public image. In no way
could Union Pacific Railroad Company’s calendar and the Steamscenes’
calendar be confused, as "A Steamscenes Publication" is printed right
on the cover of every calendar. In our opinion, the Union Pacific
Railroad’s case lacks merit and its interference with Steamscenes’
business is unwarranted. We seek to ensure that this suit is settled by
revelation of facts and fair application of law, rather than won by the
company who has the most financial resources.".
UPDATE 2/16/06: More information on this story can be found in the 2/15/06 edition of the Trains.com newswire.
Criticism of UP Lawsuit Against MTH
A reader of the Coshocton Tribune, a small town paper in Ohio, had some poignant criticism of Union Pacific’s lawsuit against MTH Electric trains. UP is suing MTH for unauthorized use of it’s company logo. The reader writes:
As I have been a railroad fan for many years, this action by Monstro
(the UP whale) to gobble the few minnows of profit earned by small
model makers sickens me to the point of nausea. The modest profits of
companies like Lionel, MTH and others probably total a miniscule
percent of UP’s income. And yet, UP can’t muster an atom of goodwill
toward an industry which has kept UP’s name and logo in the forefront
for decades (not to mention all the free advertising).
Read the entire article at the Conshocton Tribune
Union Pacific Sues MTH
From the Sun Sentinel’s Business Section today:
Union Pacific Corp., the biggest U.S. railroad by sales, sued to stop the nation’s second-largest model-train maker from using logos for the Union Pacific and other rail lines it owns. The lawsuit seeks damages from closely held Mike’s Train House Inc., based in Columbia, Md. Mike’s Train House, owned by MTH Electric Trains, pushed larger rival Lionel LLC into bankruptcy in 2004 by winning a suit over theft of trade secrets.
Read the entire article in the Sun Sentinel.