ridewiththewind said:Interesting story relayed to me about 8 years ago from a guy at McDermott at the time...
Back in 1990, McDermott came out with the HD-1 model cue...this would be the very first Harley cue they did. Production numbers for this particular model are relatively low, not because it was a new model cue, but because McDermott had failed to get a licensing agreement signed with Harley-Davidson to use their logo in the cue. HD got wind of it, and hit McDermott with a 'cease and desist' letter, and threat of a lawsuit if production of the unauthorized HD cues were not stopped, post-haste.
As we all now know, McDermott did in fact sign a licensing agreement with HD, and one of it's most successful lines of cues was born.
I can tell you, HD is extremely aggressive about protecting not only their name, but the Bar & Shield, as well as, the #1 logos as well...and it goes well beyond that! They actually have people on staff, whose job it is to peruse sites like eBay for any listings of motorcycles that are not completely HD from top to bottom...if you change out the transmission or engine to aftermarket, then according to HD, that bike is no longer an HD, and they will have the auction pulled. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen this happen...auction pulled within 24 hours close with heavy bidding taking place. There have been many a pissed off seller that this has happened to.
So, you see....some companies will take action, no matter how small the 'infringement' might be.
There are different ways to take some of the existing inlay designs of old, and to make them new and interesting again. A recent example I can think of off the top of my head would be a cue in the Gallery recently displayed where the cuemaker took Tiffany diamonds and notched them...looked very, very cool.
Now, your more standard dots, diamonds, and notched diamonds where actually appropriated from musical instrument manufacturers. But, you can do things with peacocks and propellers that can change the look entirely...all one needs to do is to use their imagination.
Lisa
Thanks for the info. I actually have one of the HD-1 Grey stained models that only had the logo in the sleeve, grey butt cap and collar, with red looking rings. They don't have to worry about the logo anymore. Bought It from A guy in a pool room back around that time period. I know It was atleast back in the early 90's. That cue got used alot, and for years was My breaking cue. The cue was built really solid, but after years of breaking I warped the shaft. The finish also started peeling Up, so the HD logo & wrap was lost with a refinish. I made up a new shaft for It, and It still plays very well. One thing I can say is the rings or collars never came loose on that cue, even with as much abuse as It saw. Too bad It's not still in original mint condition though.
You know, funny You should mention this all, because I seem to remember HD offering one of the newer model cues that was different from the HD-1 cue in a promotion or for sale through a dealership or something, about the time after You mention them squaring off on the issue. Wonder By chance if that was in part of the aggreement to settle things between the 2 or if they just contracted the cues afterwards. Posible the dealership just bought them to offer on the local level for all I know. I don't remember if I saw It locally or nationally.
Greg
