Please help support fellow hobby forum users

[DelawareJim]

Hobby forums such as OrchidBoard, SlipperTalk, Big Leaf Orchids, and many others provide an invaluable source of information to hobbyists. Imagine where we would be without these forums?

Unfortunately, another hobby forum is under attack by Monster Energy for copyright infringement for using the word "Monster" and the letter "M" as part of their own copyrighted name and logo.

Monster Fish Keepers is under attack by Monster Energy Beverage inc. and has been issued a cease and desist order with a laundry list of demands by Monster Energy which will put the forum out of business. This is a clear case of bullying tactics by a larger corporation that is simply trolling the Internet for the word "Monster" and threatening legal action against anyone where they got a "hit".

Additionally, individuals who posted to Monster Energy's Facebook page expressing concern over these tactics had their posts removed and any dissenting individuals were banned, myself included, which is a clear violation of our constitutional right to free speech in a public forum.

Please help support the forum by spreading tbe word and by visiting the following site and taking action by signing the petition or contacting Monster Energy and expressing your support for Monster Fish Keepers.
Support MonsterFishKeepers

I encourage all to become involved. It could just as easily be us here at OB.

Thank you.

Cheers.
Jim

[WhiteRabbit]

I've signed!

[Ray]

Much as I dislike bullying tactics, I'd hardly call Monster's control of their Facebook page a violation of your constitutional rights.

The page is theirs, not a public domain entity. They have every right to control the content. is it heavy-handed? You bet, but it is their option to run the page as they see fit.

I am currently "suffering" a temporary ban at another orchid forum because I chose to complain about the way I was treated surrounding a mistake made by the forum moderator. In my opinion that treatment is also heavy-handed and moronic, but I will not deny for a moment their right to do so.

[WhiteRabbit]

Much as I dislike bullying tactics, I'd hardly call Monster's control of their Facebook page a violation of your constitutional rights.

The page is theirs, not a public domain entity. They have every right to control the content. is it heavy-handed? You bet, but it is their option to run the page as they see fit.

They do have a right to delete posts from their FB page - but unless they contained obscenities or were abusive (and perhaps they did/were) - I don't think they help themselves look better by doing so.

And Monster Energy Drink IS bullying the forum with their 'cease and desist' demand - if the petition is truthful - the forum has used the name and logo longer than the corporation has been in existence, and the forum's logo is not similar other than being an "M". ? It was a while back that I read all this, so I may not remember everything exactly.

[Ray]

Corporations can get over-zealous in such things.

When I was registering the "PrimeAgra" trade name, the makers of Viagra challenged it, as they were concerned about potential "confusion in the marketplace".

My rocks will stay hard forever.

Incidentally, I see no similarity in the trademarks, and the two are in entirely different markets, so there will be no "confusion". I signed it too.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Ray

Corporations can get over-zealous in such things.

When I was registering the "PrimeAgra" trade name, the makers of Viagra challenged it, as they were concerned about potential "confusion in the marketplace".

My rocks will stay hard forever.

LOL
Over-zealous is an understatement!

Incidentally, I see no similarity in the trademarks, and the two are in entirely different markets, so there will be no "confusion". I signed it too.

[ronaldhanko]

I've done my part. Hate bullying.

[Amanda L]

Signed! I hope all turns out well!

[Wynn Dee13]

I signed it!