Caught part of this on the local news tonight and found it interesting and baffleing. What is next??? A lawsuit to make Stugis Kentucky change its name?????

http://www.fortmilltimes.com/124/story/109075.html

Sturgis, S.D., group sues western Ky. biker event[/align][/align](Published March 21, 2008)[/align][/align]
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce has filed a court complaint in which it claims the organizers of a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, Ky., are infringing on the trademark of South Dakota's Sturgis motorcycle rally.
Chamber officials said in the complaint filed in federal court here that they have organized, sponsored, marketed and promoted the rally, spending substantial sums of money, and that they are filing the complaint to protect the return on that investment.
[/align]The complaint alleges the Kentucky group's use of the name "Little Sturgis Rally" constitutes trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition and deceptive trade practice.

"The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce has long been on record that it intends to defend the rights of the Sturgis motorcycle rally in a continued effort to see it provide substantial benefits to the residents of Sturgis, S.D.," Sturgis chamber president Scott Reiman said in a statement.
The chamber uses the proceeds from licensing the rally name and logos to support community and economic development projects, according to the complaint. Attendance at the weeklong rally last year was estimated at 507,000.

Sturgis, Ky., is a town of about 2,000 in western Kentucky. Its 16th Annual Little Sturgis Rally and Races for Charity is planned for July at a county fairgrounds.
The Kentucky rally brings in about 20,000 people a year and has raised about $2 million for various charities since it began, Little Sturgis Rally board president Billy House said Thursday.
He said he was not aware of the lawsuit when contacted by the Rapid City Journal.
"I don't see what's the problem, myself," he told the newspaper.
He said he does not think the Kentucky rally benefits from any perceived affiliation with the South Dakota rally.
"Personally, I do not, no," he said. "There's other rallies that's a whole lot bigger than us, and they're not using the Sturgis name."

In 2002, the South Dakota group successfully challenged an application for a federal trademark registration of "Little Sturgis Rally."
"I suspect the NFL would not tolerate a 'Little NFL' and that NASCAR would certainly not condone a 'Little NASCAR' for the same reasons that we reject the unauthorized use of our trademarks to promote a 'Little Sturgis' motorcycle rally," Reiman said.
Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com[/align]

 

I'm sueing you for posting this!!!

 

So even the " biker " community is a bunch of ambulance-chasing sue them til they puke ********.

Not surprised

 

I think they have a very legatime claim.

Sturgis , I am sure, brings ALOT of money into that town every year.

Let the other people come up with their own, ORIGINAL name.

 

Pathetic.

 

Sturgis, Kentucky:
The town was founded in 1886 and named for Samuel Sturgis.

I think I'll side with Kentucky on this one....

 

I didnt read well, now I am changing my comment.

 

Very confusing, "So where is the Sturgis rally this year? Kentucky!?"[sm=boink3.gif]

 

It's like one Springfield suing another Springfield....... [sm=icon_rofl.gif]

 

OK, I got the answer. All those with Sportsters go to Little Sturgis and the rest with Big Twins will go to Sturgis S.D. Sorry guys I just couldn't help myself.