Jay et al,
Since we had the “belt buckle”
thread of discussion, I have been asking questions and looking further into this
issue. I am not sure if I have all the answers yet. Evidently, we do not have
a very formal process on this issue of product licensing, which is very complex.
For example, we have allowed the use of our logo on thousands of QSL cards and
web sites for many years.
You are correct that our trademarks, logos,
etc. are our valuable intellectual property. I learned that lesson during my
days in Public Broadcasting. I will move this up on my list of priorities but it
make take me a month or so to get a handle on the situation and formulate some specific
recommendations. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. We do need to deal
with this in a more business like manner.
73,
Harold
Harold Kramer, WJ1B
Chief Operating Officer
ARRL - The National Association for
Amateur Radio
860 594 0220
From: John Bellows
[mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com]
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006
9:48 AM
To:
Subject: [
Harold:
The belt buckle discussion raises some
interesting and important policy questions. I expect we all agree that along
with the reputation of ARRL, the ARRL trademarks, Logos, service marks are
among our most valuable assets. That being the case I was wondering:
1. Do we have a policy or criteria as to
what we will license and to whom we will grant licenses; and
2. Does that policy specify limits on the
licensee’s use of our intellectual property?
Thanks.
Jay, KØQB
-----Original Message-----
From: John Bellows
[mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com]
Sent:
To:
Subject: [
Hi Harold:
Is there a list of the individuals
or entities that are party to marketing agreements authorizing the use of ARRL
logos?
If there is such a list
would it be possible for members of the Board to get a copy in order to see the
items covered by each agreement and the nature and scope of ARRL licensing
arrangements?
Jay, KØQB
-----Original Message-----
From: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B
[mailto:wj1b@arrl.org]
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject: [
Hi,
Re: Belt Buckle
Let’s see if I can clear up
some of this confusion.
We
have a joint marketing agreement with ItsURCall.com. The firm will
produce and market belt buckles with designs that include ARRL logos (such as
the ARES logo), and ARRL will help cross-promote and market the product.
Bob Inderbitzen and I worked out the deal a few months ago. The
belt buckles actually look pretty sharp in person. You
will be seeing further promotion of their products in QST and other ARRL
publications per our agreement with them.
This
appeal from ItsURCall.com for additional attention from among the Field
Organization should be interpreted as a strictly voluntary. Reading the
emails on this topic, I wasn’t entirely clear how the SM’s received
the email for ItsURCall. However, we do not have to give them permission
to mail to the SM’s. SM’s email addresses are listed every
month in QST and are on our web site, so anyone with the time and desire can
obtain the mailing list.
Bob will speak to them about
“fine tuning” the language and sales techniques and specifically
not referencing our agreement in future communications so as to avoid any
further confusion
73,
Harold
Harold Kramer, WJ1B
Chief Operating Officer
ARRL - The National Association
for Amateur Radio
860 594 0220