CRPA issues Cease and Desist Letter to savecrpa.org

[Kestryll]

As I told Gene, the topic is NOT forbidden at all, feel free to discuss.

Several CRPA members started a website called 'savecrpa.org' using both the name and logo of the CRPA.

Today the CRPA Board of Directors received copies of the Cease and Desist letter sent to the principles of the 'savecrpa.org' website regarding their use of the name and logo.

I received this letter as a member of the CRPA BoD and took issue with both the use of the name 'Calguns' in the letter and the part pointing out that some of the individuals involved had connections to CGF as well.

The letter can be found here: http://savecrpa.org/files/crpa_savec...ist_051412.pdf

Frankly I think this was a bad move by CRPA, it does nothing but bring 'savecrpa' in to the spotlight and make CRPA look heavy handed.

[Anchors]

Lame

[ElvenSoul]

You can't stop Darwin! Let the CRPA go. These struggles to save a orginization allways end badly. They would do better to spend their energies elsewhere.

[rysmithjr]

Frankly I think this was a bad move by CRPA, it does nothing but bring 'savecrpa' in to the spotlight and make CRPA look heavy handed.

it's also frivolous, with it's only intent designed to chill discussion and stop attention brought to crpa's failings.

Kestryll, do you feel it's a bad thing to bring 'savecrpa' into the spotlight?

[wildhawker]

Paul, you make a number of affirmative statements relating to the alleged "use of the [CRPA] name and logo" in your post.

Could you clarify if you agree with the legal reasoning in the CRPA's Cease and Desist letter or if you're simply repeating the allegations contained therein?

-Brandon

[taperxz]

Kes, as a Board Member of CGF, have you considered resigning from the CRPA board at all? Your thoughts would be nice to hear as the owner of this forum.

[hoffmang]

I'm curious if anyone reading this thread thinks there is any commercial use occuring on SaveCRPA.org or are confused between SaveCRPA and CRPA?

You see, the trademark act and the ACPA don't apply to non commercial speech about trademarks. Also, I'm not so sure that "CPRA" has a mark in "CRPA" since crpa.com goes to the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association...

More news on this soon.

-Gene

[wildhawker]

See:

vs.

-Brandon

[Get3CoffinsReady]

So when it comes to something petty law suits or the threat of a law suit is filed quickly. How much money does all of this cost btw?

[ElvenSoul]

You know the really sad thing about this all is that somewhere BRADY is Laughing!

[SamsDX]

Wow. What a BS allegation, and what a BS C&D letter. Save CRPA clearly distinguishes itself from CRPA, and nowhere on the website does it suggest any kind of affiliation, except that its current members are ex-board members of the organization who want to to move it in the right direction. Also, since when did CRPA get to co-opt the California flag and claim trademark rights therein?

I especially like the sentence "it is beyond debate that the activities of Save CRPA violate the Lanham Act." As if that's supposed to carry any weight. What a laughable letter - I've only followed this whole drama casually, but it just goes to show how desperate the current leadership of CRPA is.

Pathetic.

[wildhawker]

So when it comes to something petty law suits or the threat of a law suit is filed quickly. How much money does all of this cost btw?

Over $20k to get rid of Gene and Brett; oh, and for them to figure out the Bylaws were not legal (just like Gene said).

See "legal" expenses: http://savecrpa.org/files/2012_budget.pdf

-Brandon

[taperxz]

You know the really sad thing about this all is that somewhere BRADY is Laughing!

The only thing Brady is laughing about is how ineffective CRPA has been in cooperating with other gun rights groups

[phamkl]

This is the first I've heard of this drama, and I don't really know anything about it. It's just discouraging. It almost feels like, "mommy and daddy, please stop fighting." I hope this gets figured out and resolved quickly. Seems too late for "cleanly."

[Kestryll]

Kes, as a Board Member of CGF, have you considered resigning from the CRPA board at all? Your thoughts would be nice to hear as the owner of this forum.

Fair question.

Yes, I did consider it on several occasions.
To be honest those times had very little to do with anyone else resigning or not being reappointed, it's been more cases of frustration when meeting resistance to new ideas or efforts. At times I've wondered 'Why in heaven's name am I even trying!?!' Other times I talk to people who seem to really get it and want to move forward.

In the end the reason I have chosen to stay for the time being is that I'm not convinced that things can't be improved and that changes can not be made from the inside.
I really dislike giving up on things and I know for a fact that there are people on the CRPA Board who understand the need to change and grow with the times. Because of this I am compelled to keep making an effort until I am convinced, not by other but by my own experience, that there is no chance to improve things.

I've never turned a moving car by pushing on the fender from the outside but being inside I might be able to nudge the steering wheel a bit.

This is not to say I think it is going to be easy or immediate, it's going to take work and patience. Not infinite patience but at least a little bit.