I just don't see how they could actually get you, I understand the school name and colors thing, that to me makes sense, but if you can buy the pony head mold and put a spinner on it I don't see how they could get you, to me it's like someone with a patent on a round head mold. If there's any kind of deformity or the blade is slightly different or the hook is slightly different blah blah blah, then the whole trademark/patent thing goes out the window in my mind. That being said I'm not gonna try it, but I don't think they can actually prove much.

Guess this is good news. Anybody here wanting to "purchase" roadrunner heads can contact Sarg.



My fear is that one of those Blakemore lawyers will eventually contact you & try to buy some of YOUR heads. You sell his some and BAM!!! They got you!!

Any of my close friends buy me lunch, take me fishing, etc, to get these heads. I, personally, am not going to "sell any", ESPECIALLY to someone I don't know.

REDGUN ask me to help explain the Blakemore/Pony head legal issues.

Blakemore in the 1990's got a Trademark on the design of the head and are the only people that can legally sell it! I got lucky and made a backdoor deal so I could buy unpainted Roadrunner heads about 10 years ago now. They gave me permission to paint and tie their heads, but some things I have to do, like if I sell a pack of Roadrunners and do not use their imprinted blades I have a sticker they gave me the words for that includes their Trademark number that I have to place on that pack. If I use the Imprinted blades I do not need to use the sticker. FYI I do not buy my head through any kind of normal method and have a contact inside that is high up and I buy them from him and him alone!

As for the Pony heads, you can have a mold and pour them for yourself, but you can not sell them without huge risk as they can take you to court and you will loose everything! If any old guys are in this you may remember the old Stump Jumpers Bass Pro use to sell? (Yes I know they have a different head now, but am talking back to the 1990's) The guy that use to make them for Bass Pro got in touch with me after I tied a Pony head up way back when first started tying and told me his story. He got sued by Blakemore and lost everything and Blakemore didn't even own the Trademark until I think it was 1994. So you can make all the pony heads you want for your self, but you can not sell them without huge risk that I feel sure most wouldn't want to take.

I was interested because I had used Roadrunners since the 1970's and wanted to tie my own. I found when I bought cards and cards of Roadrunners in the 1990's they were not tied well and would come apart sometimes after just a few fish. So when I started tying right away I wanted to tie them for myself. I just didn't realize it would take me two years and a lot of luck to get to that point.

Remember every once in a while when they get to seeing guys selling Pony jigs they will take actions and it's not gonna be fun!

Please just PM me if you have any questions.

Skip

PS...Sorry I forgot to say their is not time table on a Trademark like their is on a Patent! So it's forever I guess, lol!

Dont and wont work like that
I dont do it to make a "living" and I keep it 3 county local.
I have a few that buy bulk and flea market them,same folk are scrapers and bring in the lead sourcing
We likely source from the same supply for hooks,not sure on the paint but . . . . .
its very unlikely you shoot an etching primer and use auto grade paints,my customs are UreKem Paints that are pretty sexy to say the least
OH yes they catch fish,cause they are different I guess?
A fisherman needs confidence,lure makers have been sucking that same blood for 50+ yrs.
I dont suck that hard

You should probably know that guys that work for or represent Blakemore are on these fishing sites and you posting this kind of stuff will get their attention if they see it. Believe me that is not something you want to happen! Post at your own risk though and if you feel 10' tall and bullet proof then keep it up, lol!

Skip

pretty silly to temp, temp not the Lord your God: for all things WILL come uncoverd

Whats that one about a plank in your eye?
Yeah,that one........

according to this

http://www.google.com/patents/US5203105

DO IT CORP has the patent on the horsehead jighead design since 93-94 .
I think what is going on is blakemore may have a trademark on the ROADRUNNER name.
So as long as you dont call it a ROADRUNNER, I dont see how they have a leg to stand on as far as prohibiting any one from selling horsehead designed jigheads. If they could, they would have already done so.
If you read all the way to the bottom, blakemore got an assignment in 94, so maybe DO it corp sold part interest to blakemore, but kept the rights to sell the molds. Tru turn hooks are also in the mix.

DO IT is also the company that sells the horse head jig mold.

I think DO IT DID IT ..

Man this is a subject that comes up real often and I think it is up to the individals to decide if it is worth the risk or not, for me it never was. Here is a insert from the do it catalog on the subject:
SPECIAL NOTICE TO COMMERCIAL LURE MANUFACTURERS: On January 16, 1990, the Blakemore Sales Company obtained a U.S. Trademark registration for the shape of a lure resembling those made from our Horse Head and Pony Head lure molds. Lures of this shape have been made and marketed by many different companies, both large and small, for many decades prior to and continuing through the date of registration. They have long been known generically as �horse head jigs� or �pony head jigs.� We thus do not believe the shape can now be a valid trademark belonging to a single company. The validity of this trademark registration has not been tested in court, so the commercial sale of these lures could involve claims against you. As with castings made from any model, the right to use Do-it� Molds to make tackle for commercial use is left for you to determine, and we make no warranty or other representations of any kind with respect to your right to do so.

You absolutely have it wrong! Do it just makes the mold for Pony heads and the people that buy that mold are allowed to make them for personal use only, no selling period! The Trademark has nothing to do with the Roadrunner name, Nada! It's the design of the head that the Trademark is about and no one can sell a jig head that looks like it does! Period!

BTW just for your info, I am friends with the President and part owner of Blakemore and we have talked many times about all this.

Skip

Skip,. whose authority says the lure cannot be copied and sold.
Do it molds said it has not been tested in court..
is it really illegal or will Blakemore just make life miserable by sicking lawyers on you?
looks to me like they just found a legal loop hole to snipe a design.. kind of like lure design potlicking for lawyers... just my opinion not based on any fact. so dont call your homeboy at Takemore and sue me.. lol

Lot's of them here.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40...gs&_sacat=0

Good Luck
Bozz

Interesting subject. My first thought was the generic Bass Pro "stump jumper" lures that look like big roadrunners. Apparently those are produced under license, as are the Cabela's versions of this lure.

I do agree that there's nothing wrong with using a mold to make roadrunner-style ('pony head') jigs for your own use. But I wouldn't try selling them, as it appears that Blakemore is VERY vigilant about protecting it's trademarks. Unless you're ready, willing, and able to defend yourself in court all the way up to SCOTUS (expensive!), it just doesn't seem worthwhile.

For those that want to argue the subject, consider that the Coke bottle design is in itself a trademarked product. Sure looks like the horsehead/ponyhead jig design is protected the same way - I can't say for sure until November next year, so I certainly might be wrong.