VMT's Class J Trademark

[NW Mailing List]

Let me state what I know about this topic.

Having 611 back in operation has vastly increased the interest and 
popularity in the locomotive.

VMT and the FireUp 611 committee have invested a lot of money putting 
611 back into operating condition. To keep 611 in operating condition 
will require even more money in the future.

People and organizations who PROFIT from SELLING things (t-shirts, 
pictures, coffee cups, calendars, books) associated with the 611 should 
help support keeping it going. Read the next to last paragraph to see 
the true targets of these trademarks - "mass-produced retail goods."

Another target of this trademark are major corporations that may wish to 
use 611's image in their advertising. Kohler and Mercedes(?) have done 
so in the past. Would it not be great if a large corporation paid a 
significant fee for rights to use 611 in their advertising?

Note that those who are selling "small quantities" are simply asked to 
e-mail an inquiry. To protect the trademark, everything falling under 
the trademark must be properly licensed. Thus even those selling small 
quantities must be licensed and acknowledge VMT's trademark. For those 
falling in this "small quantity" category, the license fee if any will 
be very small.

If you are not selling anything, then none of this trademark stuff 
applies to you. You can share photos with your friends and the Internet 
with no problems.

For books and publications, authors are asked to work with their 
Virginia Rail Heritage Partners which includes NWHS and the Roanoke 
Chapter NRHS. The partner organizations will be granted licenses to 
cover the trademark. Thus there will be no impact on "The Arrow" or 
"Turntable Times"

It is my understanding that at this point an application has simply been 
made for the trademarks. The applications may or may not be approved. 
The items and images mentioned have passed some preliminary approval.

Norfolk Southern is aware of VMT applying for this trademark and has no 
objections to it.

VMT is not looking to gouge folks, but simply wants those who benefit 
and profit in big ways by having 611 running again to help keep it that way.

Ron Davis