Livestrong to Skidstrong: Cease and desist

• Cycle Gaansari started using the SKIDSTRONG brand back in May 2004 for their line of bikes for bicycle messengers.
• The Lance Armstrong Foundation filed to trademark LIVESTRONG in July, 2004.
• The Lance Armstrong Foundation served a cease and desist on Gaansari in early November.
• Skidstrong bikes are now called FISSO bikes. That's Italian for "fixed."
  

It's wonderful that the LAF is raising money and awareness for cancer research, but do they have to be such absolute weenies about it? And check this out: the LAF wants you to ask permission to link to their website.

If you are interested providing a link on your Web site to LIVESTRONG, we ask that you send an email to livestrong@laf.org requesting permission to link. This email should include your organization's name, a contact name and a description of the context in which you will be listing LIVESTRONG.

Another view is provided at cycling.finial.com, who points out that a trademark owner has an obligation to protect his trademark.

The purpose of Fisso® (nee Skidstrong) is to raise awareness and funding through the promotion and sales of fixed-gear bicycles, accessories, components and clothing, for the Bicycle Messenger Emergency Fund (BMEF), a nonprofit organization established in 2001 to provide financial assistance to injured bicycle messengers around the world. Proceeds from the sale of every SKIDSTRONG Fisso® product goes to the BMEF.

Via the Kool-Aid Krew.

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