Internet website under legal attack by Radio Shack

[WS2L]

Today, I received an email from the websites Administrator which is shown below. As a member of this website I know first hand that it is very strictly moderated to ensure that there is no information posted that would cause harm to the company in any way. Basically, Radio$hack wants this site to disappear entirely but it's funny that some of the suggestions that members have posted to improve the company have been implemented by the company. The only reason I posted this message is because there are numerous ham operators who are members of the site, the Administrator has been a ham since the 1950's. In the past year I have seen the moderation of this board and it's posts carefully moderated so as not to contain posts that defraud the company, give store locations or even names. This website is a place where current and former employees, customers or anyone who has any interest weather good or bad can assemble and post thier OPINIONS about the company. Thank you for taking the time to read this message from the Administrator and for your replies. The website Administrator, moderators and myself want to bring to light anywhere and everywhere possible what is going on. Thank you

Hello,

I’m the domain owner and webmaster of the RadioShackSucks websites, which are temporarily off the Internet. Why? Because RadioShack Corporation in their arrogance filed an injunction against the websites for a variety of reasons.

First, the company claims trademark dilution because of our name. How, indeed, can common ordinary words be classed as a trademark when all that was done was to remove the space between the two words. The term Radio Shack was actually borrowed from the U S military, which described the radio room where all of the communications equipment was operated from. It was a small “shack” built to house all of the sensitive communications equipment aboard a ship. The term started during the years of World War I, and continue to this day. RadioShack Corporation has attacked anyone using those words for the past six years that I’m aware of, and probably go back further.

In one instance, they attacked an auto parts supply store, who since caved into their demands. That company is now known as Auto Zone. There have been many other instances of RadioShack swinging their weight around. I have posted several of these notices to other website operators in my blog; the URL is at the end of this message.

Next, RadioShack lawyers thought that we were “besmirching” management people. The messages posted on the website were clearly opinions, and as such, are supposed to be protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. RadioShack clearly violated the Free Speech amendment by having the website shut down.

RadioShack is claiming that we are/were advertising law firms engaged in class action lawsuits against the company. The reality of the issue is that we are/were disseminating news of the many class action lawsuits currently in progress.

In history, usually 10% to 15% of the eligible people would opt in to a class action lawsuit. Through the news features of RadioShackSucks websites, close to 50% of the eligible people opted in to the class actions. RadioShack is claiming that the “advertisements” are harming the company’s image and the company wants to protect their assets. #

There are more unfounded claims made by RadioShack that are too numerous to discuss here and now; however, I can honestly say that there is very little that RadioShack can prove in a court of law. However, the judge in this case has previously supported the company, going so far as to authorize the injunction against the website and denying the freedoms of speech, expression and peaceful assembly to all of the members.

What will happen if RadioShack wins their case? It will put any message board system on notice. If RadioShack wins, you will no longer be able to express your opinions, nor peacefully assemble to discuss any matter that’s on your mind. The laws that were guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution will fall by the wayside, to be trampled upon by big business.


If you don’t believe that it can happen to you, just sit back and watch. Don’t take a stand against big business. Just watch your freedoms crumble away.


What can you do to help? Write letters to your elected officials asking them to investigate the company and their legal practices. Tell your elected officials that your freedoms are being replaced by big business interference and harassment.

Remember, if RadioShack wins, it will give license to any company to harass you. If you enjoy writing and posting messages on any message board website, write a letter to your elected officials, and express your dismay at what a big business can do. Have your elected officials draft legislation that will make this type of harassment against the law. We have all enjoyed the freedom of speech, expression and peaceful assembly. Don’t let those rights fall by the wayside.


Thank you,


SoCal Tom

Webmaster: www.radioshacksucks.com, www.radioshacksucks.net & www.radioshacksucks.org (currently inactive)

Case law is posted and updated daily at: http://socaltom.blogspot.com #(currently very active)

[w5nl]

The trademarked name was directly used. If you would have called it anything but Radio Shack it might have been OK. Same thing happened with "Wal-Mart Su**s" dot com. Try doing "StarWarsSu**s" dot com and see how long it takes for Lucasfilm to haul you in to court. Those names are trademarked for this very reason and many others. de n5blm

[WD8OQX]

Even though I agree with the post & comment,(as long as they don't cross the line & get slanderous) I have to say that I saw a LOT of this type of sites. Makes me wonder why they are still around.

What reason(s) are they giving for the shutdown, slander of there name, or just the usage, or what?

[K1XS]

Equating the injunction to a violation of the Bill of Rights and the eventual loss of freedom to corporations is a bit of a stretch. Did the injunction prohibit you from posting the information on Radio Shack or was it to stop the use of the trademarked name? There is a huge difference between the two.

I have visited your site several times and while I agree that RS is a lousy place to work (based on my experiences almost 25 years ago), I do not think you have the right to use their name as your web site address. Like the company or not, there is a duty to the shareholders to protect the company name.

I recall a case a few years ago where someone had a web site Dunkindoughnutss***s.com. The company eventualy settled and bought the name for several thousand dollars.


73,
Ken K1XS

[KG4ZXK]

I used to work for Radio Shack in the early 90's in sales and management. It makes me sad to see what the company is being turned into. However, I don't think that Radio Shack is on a freedom of Speech witchhunt. The site uses their trademark and registered name in the site. I would assume legally that means they can go to court and order the use stopped.

[KA3RFE]

WS2L:

You have a very poor understanding of the First Amendment. The first five words of the Amendment are: "Congress shall make no law..." and it should be clear to anyone that this particular Amendment deals with governmental restrictions on speech, religion, et. al.

This isn't a government case. This is a case of civil law dealing with, as the other posters have said, trademark violations. People are free to slam Radio Shack all they want, but a site using the Radio Shack name as part of its title isn't allowed.

Almost all corporations are zealous about protecting their various trademarks and copyrights to the extreme. If they do not do so, they can risk losing their rights to exclusive use of them. That's something that everyone who's ever taken a business law course learns.

Without knowing all the particulars, it's likely the judge is perfectly correct in his ruling.

73, Pete KA3RFE

[w8jv]

Jeez, get a life. Don't use a copywritten or service marked name in the site address and you can say whatever you want. Freedom of expression is NOT freedom to steal a copywritten property. What do you think would happen if you started a business and called it Wal Mart? Obviously the injunction is against using the name, not against posting your opinions.

[w3mz]

This was pretty easy for Radio Shack because it used their trade name. Try a web site that mentions Microsoft in the title and you can measure it's life in hours not days. My favorite defunct website was www.peta.com. It stood for People Eating Tasty Animals and the PETA group was somehow offended. 73 All

[w4cwz]

The Sky is falling! #The Sky is falling! #If you illegally use a registered trade name you get what you deserve! #This has no place here, has nothing to do with Ham Radio. #
Just my $.02...

73!

[n2obm]

This is a no brainer.....

Why would anyone start a 'grassroots' complaint (?) medium, and might even want to be taken seriously, add derogatory sexual connotation (www.R----S----sucks.com) to it's name?

Poor taste.......you reap what you sow.

[ke4pjw]

I'm no lawyer, so I probably am wrong.

I don't see how anyone could confuse Radio Shack with radioshacksucks.com. #They are not selling consumer electronics. How is Radio Shack's trademark being diluted by this site? #

Now, if they were using some Trademark, other than the name, such as a modified version of their logo or something stupid like that, then yea, they are in trouble.

For what it's worth, I used to own windowssucks.com . Never was hassled by Microsoft about it. They did have several workstations on their network that walked the site everyday.

[KI9A]

If slandering Radio shack is all you do in life, I feel sorry for you!!

BTW, I don't have any connections with radio shack, nor do I care.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[ke4pjw]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KI9A @ July 28 2004,19:41)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If slandering Radio shack is all you do in life, I feel sorry for you!!

BTW, I don't have any connections with radio shack, nor do I care.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Don't you mean libel? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[kg4muw]

I object to your claim that anyone fought, or died with the intention their sacrifice was made so that our society might use profanity, behave disgustingly in a public forum, or abuse others with anonymity. #You insult the memory of those that did make the sacrifice.

The URL is profane. The person that selected the URL knew it was disgusting. #I hope RadioShack cleans his clock. #How would you like your name used in this fashion? #You are confusing profanity and libel with freedom of speech. #

I have written the CEO to congratulate him for showing the fortitude to stand up against this abuse. #In fact you have convinced me to continue shopping there.

Administrator: Please remove this thread from your fine web site, and save our poor hobby the embarrassment.

Ken

[ke4pjw]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w8jv @ July 28 2004,18:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Jeez, get a life. #Don't use a copywritten or service marked name in the site address and you can say whatever you want. # Freedom of expression is NOT freedom to steal a copywritten property. #What do you think would happen if you started a business and called it Wal Mart? #Obviously the injunction is against using the name, not against posting your opinions.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
You can't copyright names.
You copyright creative works.
You trademark names.
You patent methods.

I really doubt that the use of the name is the problem. The name is legal and has legal precedent.

My guess, someone did something stupid with logo somewhere.

[n9kpn]

What many people do not realize is the intent of the www.radioshacksucks.com website and the real reason Radio Shack wanted it shut down. #The site was put together by former managers of Radio Shack stores that had filed a class action lawsuit against Radio Shack. #The managers claim that they were forced to work overtime and were not compensated for their work. #A judge in Chicago saw enough evidence to grant it class action status. #The site linked to a law firm in Chicago that is handling the case.

In many class action suits of this type there might be a 10 to 20% "opt-in" of potential litigants. #Partly because of this web site the number is more like 50%. #(See here: http://www.fwweekly.com/issues/2004-01-28/metropolis.html).

There is more at issue here than simple "trademark" violations. #For one thing "Radio Shack" could refer to the very shack most of us have. #As far as "Congress shall make no law..." being only the government preventing free speech, sorry a court DID rule that the site must be taken down. #Thus a law created by the government shut the site down.

Rumor has it that currently in the works is a site called www.radioshacksucks.org that will be off shore and not subject to US trademark law.

[KI4FCP]

Raddddio Shaaack

you have questions, we have cell phones

[AC7XC]

Well I can not visit the website, but here are some things to consider:
1. Do the creators or owners have any contractual relationship with the Radio Shack Corporation?
2. Does the web site sell anything, including provide advertising, as part of the web site?

Since this could be contract law, and RS contract for employees are slave-like which state that anything that is created by a employee or ex-employee belongs to Radio Shack, then this is not about free speech.

BTW, People fought and died for freedom to criticize the government not for former Radio Shack employyes to rant on the Internet that their former employer sucks.

[KD4UXH]

Well, it's quit obvious that we have a number of dinosaurs that responded to this posting. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif # I worked for Radio Shack in the late 90's and even bck thenm, they were o their way down. #Now they dare to advertise, "You're got questions? #We've got answers!". #It actuality it should read, "You're got questions? #We've got stupid looks!". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif # Seriously though, it doesn't surprise me that RS has gone on a warpath against this site. #They had and still have no desire to serve the segment of the community that they originally started out serving, that of the serious electronics individual. #They've been slowly movig towards servicing the lowest common level of service, that of cellular phone, direct satellites, home and car audio. #They've scaled back their amateur radio products to the least expensive to produce while continuing to elevate prices. #Also, have you noticed that the number of specific parts have been re-designated as "special order" items, allowing them to elevate the price of what used to be commonly available products at RS. #The ebst way for the amateur community to voice our objections towards RS is to openly contact them via their site in mass numbers and let them know that we are not in the least happy or impressed with their massive lacking of parts and elevating the prices for the "specil order" items that just 2 years ago were commonly available. #Let them know that we have taken note of them turning their back on the amateur community and we will therefore be purchasing our products from reputable amateur radio parts outlets. #Hell, if we're going to have to pay top dollar, I'll do it with an amateur company, not RS!

[kg4bvd]

Yep, since 9/11 and the patriot act, our civil rights WILL be gone in our lifetime. I am not a person for violence, but I would rather our genereation do something, maybe not as radical a revolution. But something needs to be done to let our children have the same freedom of speech as we did growing up.
Anyway, someone else will just start another site, they can't stop them all, yet anyway, but the day is coming?

73 ALL
Walter

[AB9IW]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WS2L @ July 29 2004,11:09)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Your Freedoms are in jeopardy! RadioShack Corporation has filed an injunction in a Texas Court that has shut down an opinion website, http://www.radioshacksucks.com, in direct violation of the Freedoms of Speech, Expression and Peaceful Assembly, as guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I oppose this ewwebsite simply because of its address. We have much too much uncivil and crude language in circulation in the United States. I have not ever seen this website so cannot comment on the content. But even this venue on which I am posting has too much crude language. Why can't we all speak civilly to and about each other?

[kj5t]

If you started a website www.theratshack.com for say, and you spoke the truth about Radio Shack, and your disgusts in the company. Then you would have the Freedom of speech to back you up.. Yet www.radioshacksucks.com is indeed using a copyrighted name in your domain name. Also slander is against the law if it its damaging to the company. If they were speaking slander on a website with a copyrighted domain, they were wrong. No buts about it.

[n5xxm]

ok guys, this is crazy... so i cant call my radio shack.....a "radio shack" without watching over my shoulder for a big corporation to come after me??? and since when is "radio shack ™" the owner or holder of "radioshacksu**s" looks like all one word to me guys.. and what i have found so far is that "Radio Shack (TM" has a space between the words... so no copywrite thing to me guys, and i sure hope the guy with the cool site wins this one, he needs all our help on this matter... cause..well... RAT-SHACK really does ..well... in political correct terms.... vacuumes!

just my opinion, this opinion is not the opinion of anyone but myself.....and it does not nessarly represent the oppinions of the web site or the internet..... hahahaha... we all need to get a life!!!!

73's gents and ladies!

[KC0REY]

Flying J Sux.com (http://www.flyingjsux.com) is a site that Flying J tried to have shut down. Check the site out and find out why they could not shut it down.

[w7fsq]

I think this whole issue should be removed form QRZ it has nothing to do with ham radio, and does not further enhance or support Ham Radio.

[KB1GHC]

Radioshack does suck!

theres a website for just about every large company, and how much it sucks.

radioshack does suck! they can't even make working semiconductors!

call the ACLU!

73'

[n0doz]

If you don't like Radio Shack, don't go in one. If you're so obsessed with a big company doing you wrong, go get a real shrink instead of wasting bandwidth...

[w0cbf]

I agree with N0DOZ. If you don't like something stay the heck away. We as hams can always spread the word on the air without devoting an entire website to the subject. The problem with these sites is that they are a one way street. You hear from the person that was wronged but only their side of the story. There is always two sides to every story.

73's
WØCBF

[KC5CPO]

Okay, perhaps I'm missing something? what exactly does this string have to do with ham radio?

[k6lcs]

Silliness. And ignorance.

>>...in direct violation of the Freedoms of Speech, Expression and Peaceful Assembly, as guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States...

The Constitution's provisions for free speech only apply to entities which are run by the federal government - and are NOT applicable to ISPs nor Web site owners.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS

[W5TXR]

Well............Radio Shack does suck!
They sell mostly junk equipment perhaps they could use some competition.
radioshacksucks.com should have copyrighted their web site. (It's fairly cheap)
radioshacksucks is not a registered trademark.


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #-Mark

[k5co]

I'd offer that any vulgar slob that uses the term "sucks" in a public forum is so base and crude that he should not only be shut down, but dragged from his bed and hanged. And damn the so called right to free speech when it is abused and misused by vulgarian dopes.

Kd5PSH

[W9GRN]

My business dealings with Radio Shack has always been a great pleasure.Never had any problems at all.I luv free speech! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[N8BMB]

Try using "YackShacksu**s.com". Everyone will still know what company you are slamming since most everone I know refers to this particular company by YackShack. At the same time, it is not trademarked by RadiShack and you can feel confident that they will not bully you to close down your site.

Just a thought!

'73

N8BMB http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KG4ZQZ]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KD5PSH @ July 30 2004,13:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And damn the so called right to free speech when it is abused and misused by vulgarian dopes.

Kd5PSH[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
- hey! i think there a lot of folks who would *love* to be 'vulgarian'!

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=vulgarian

:-)

[KB2KAB]

RADIOSHACK #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif #you have got to be kidding! They went away from the real world a long time ago. Not only do they not carry anything related to HAM RADIO, thier staff has no knowlegde of any thing related to radio at all. They do not know the difference between a capcitor and resistor. I was in a store, here in N.Y. The customer was looking for an anttena for a scanner. The sales person had no idea what to do. IT'S A SHAME THAT YOU CAN NOT GO TO A STORE FOR THE LITTLE ITEMS AND GET THE RIGHT HELP. TO HELL WITH RADIO SHACK. THEY DO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED. THEY ARE GOING FOR THE CELL PHONES AND THE TOYS. THANKFULLY WE DO HAVE HRO,AES, AND OTHERS TO TURN TO. I FOR HOPE RADIO SHACK FALLS FLAT ON THIER FACES. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[kf4vgx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KD5PSH @ July 30 2004,10:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'd offer that any vulgar slob that uses the term "sucks" in a public forum is so base and crude that he should not only be shut down, but dragged from his bed and hanged. And damn the so called right to free speech when it is abused and misused by vulgarian dopes.

Kd5PSH[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
he should not only be shut down, but dragged from his bed and hanged. And damn the so called right to free speech

its a mild statement compared to what you stated http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[NY7Q]

Ya mean the sign over my door that sez "RADIO SHACK" with my call under it must come down?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif? That would mean all the ships in the Navy would have to rename their radio spaces from 'RADIO SHACK' to http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif??
Radio shack does suck in my view. But you are wrong here young man.....

[WA6KSS]

First, and to clarify an issue, the website known as radioshacksucks is perfectly legitimate to use. There is something called "The Lanham Act" which defines fair use of a trademark by others, as long as it's not used for profit. Since RSS is an opinion type message board system (just like this one), fair use comes into play.

As for using profanity, how stupid do you think we are. We have a profanity filter firmly in place, which monitors every single word published on the website. The word "sucks" is commonly used by almost everyone in our society. Grow up!

You have not seen the injunction, while I have. Everything that RadioShack claims is untrue. It's a case of big business trying to rule people's lives, just as they do in their stores. Now the boundries of their stores have gone into people's homes and is dictating what they can talk about.

As for the URL of the website, please note, I inherited the website. It was named in 1998, by the original owner of the domain. His name is Bill Story and was a former RadioShack store manager. The website (with URL firmly intact) was taken over by Brad Smith, a franchise store owner' who turned the website over to me. I happen to be a Ham radio operator and a former RadioShack employee.

I am trying to keep the website going for employees and former employees to vent, and express their opinions. These opinions dealt with more than just RadioShack. We have discussed almost everything from child birth to death in the workplace. We discuss Ham radio, motion pictures, magazine articles, politics and everything else imaginable. We have lives and RadioShack wants to dominate every part of them.

Now for the important part. If RadioShack succeeds in their vendeta, it will give other corporations the license to attack any opinionated message board system, such as this one. Do you want that to happen? From the replies from many of you, you do. Just sit back and watch your freedoms crumble under the feet of big business. It can happen.

It's not a case of sour grapes, as most of you believe. You're not seeing the big picture. If it can happen to RadioShackSucks.com, it can happen here. Just say something bad about Kenwood, Yeasu or Icom and see how fast they come down on you. Take off the blinders and you'll see the big picture.

SoCal Tom

[k5phw]

Radio Shack does suck. So do self righteous people. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[WD8AQS]

If you can't beat them, join them!
Lets all get together & open up a chain of electronic components stores that serves the radio & electronic hobbyists. We could sell all sorts of neat stuff like capacitors, resistors, transistors, thermistors, ect...
We could name it The Parts Bin or Shack Clean Out.
If we are real lucky we may just stay in business one or two weeks!
I do miss the good old days when I could walk into my local RS & buy a variloopstick coil right off the shelf but times they are a changing. RS is just another cell phone shop & they have shareholders they need to take care of. Let them do their thing & good luck to any abused workers out there trying to get there pound of flesh, in corporate run America, money talks, everything else walks. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[KC5CPO]

Excelent point made by WD8AQS! Radio Shack and other retailers are only going to sell what people will buy. Right now their hot market is cell phones and Direct TV. Okay... more power to them. There are many options for us ham radio 'techies' to get what we want without having to whine about why Radio Shack doesn't carry that capacitor or diode we need. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ab8tn]

go to http://socaltom.blogspot.com
and read through all the case files
radioshack <&reg;> has trampped and trounce on several
names and url's currently like radoshack a kid who picked the name rado and has a web page nothing to do with retail sales . www.scanshack.com some guy who's hobby is scanners and has a webpage dedicated to the hobby
r$ even went after someone who had the url myradioshack.com

i think rs gets what they deserve

BTW wallmart gave up on the fight and both sided agreed to consessions

[W5HTW]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KG4ZQZ @ July 30 2004,10:43)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KD5PSH @ July 30 2004,13:22)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And damn the so called right to free speech when it is abused and misused by vulgarian dopes.

Kd5PSH[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
- hey! i think there a lot of folks who would *love* to be 'vulgarian'!

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=vulgarian

:-)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Didn't Leonard Nimoy play a vulgarian?

[k1dfj]

i could care less about radio shack. who cares. they really do suck.

[k6pme]

So change the name to RatShackSucks.com.

It's more appropriate for that place anyway.

[K9DFM]

Good grief,
Look around, there are much more important things to worry about in this old world. This deserves no attention at all. Let's worry about the young men and women serving this country, let's worry about pollution, let's worry about who will be our next president...the list goes on. This is simply stupidity, if you hate Radio Shack that much, don't shop there. Simple.

[K0RFD]

Freedom of speech is both a right and a responsibility.
In this country, freest of all on this earth, you are free to shoot off your mouth. You are also free to deal with the consequences. It's your responsibility to figure out if you are going to get into trouble, and if you still decide you need to assert your right, it's your responsibility to deal with the consequences.

I support the shooting off of your mouth. I also support anybody who goes after you because you didn't bother looking into their trademarks.

Since you guys are both right as far as I am concerned, you'll have to duke it out in court. May the one of you who 1) is the least wrong, and/or 2) has the best lawyer so you can get your point across, win.

Good luck. Next time, if there is a next time, remember BOTH the right and the responsibility.

[kc8www]

I have read some of the copyright law. The name Radioshack can be copyrighted but not trademarked. Just like the name QRZ. What can be trademarkes is the actual logo, The QRZ.COM with the globe, the globe itself, or the Radio Shack logos. The words radioshack may be copyrighted but they can be used under reasonable use. But since the names RadioShackSucks is not a registed trademark or copyright. It wont get very far in court. UNLESS the sight uses the trademarked logos in the page.

[ai4ij]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K0RFD @ July 30 2004,18:55)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Since you guys are both right as far as I am concerned, you'll have to duke it out in court. May the one of you who 1) is the least wrong, and/or 2) has the best lawyer so you can get your point across, win.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The only ones that ever really win are the lawyers. They are the ones that really stir these things up. It's THEIR JOB!

73
Richard
KI4DOK

[WL7LZ]

Oh my lord....... How people get upset.

#1 I do NOT work for RS. I just wanted to let folks know about one thing they do have that help Hams that most people dont know about. Then afterward I included my few cents worth on the posting.

They do make a good antenna. Excellent for the Triband transmit Handhelds withthe extended Rx.
Its a TRIBAND mag-mount. TRANSMITS (up to 25W) on 50/144/440. #Also wide band receive.(1Mhz through 1Ghz I think) #Perfect for the Yaesu 5Rs and 7Rs with their 50/144/440 Tx. and the 1Khz to 16MHZ then to 900+ Rx. For folks needing a cheap costing but built decent antenna, it work well. Most people dont realize it is a tri-band transmitting antenna, since its listed as a scanner antenna, but it states right on the package 50/144/440 transmit up to 25w.)

Its 19.95 (the name brand antennas will cost much more) and quite small. 3 loading coils... One base and two in the whip. Weighs less than a pound and even though the magmount is small it holds excellent on 75MPH highway speeds. I have 2 and have had them for 15 years. Makes a great backup antenna.

To test the people at radio shack I always go in and ask them for a variable resister and the triband antenna to see if they know where and what they are. Most do.

**** RS and their history ****

RS use to make decent equpiment. The HTX-202 and 404s were excellent radios (although I did have a chuckle when people tried to expand them... as they couldnt be expanded) and the old 10m rig from HTX-100 I think it was was decent. Their mobile were good too, BUT

They now are more into the cellphone and toys. They have gone down in quality as they do not relate to Radio anymore.

Such a real shame. I have had good and bad experiences with them, but I wont say anything vulgar about them (vulgarity shows a persons intellect I think) just the straight simple facts and no need for vulgar personal opinions. I see vulgarity, I stop reading and go on to another post. Im interested in facts and decent opinions. You can still "G" rate your post and get your point across.

Its a real shame as I field tested the 202 on a whim. Back then I used a FT-470 and a IC-32AT. (2m/440 tank built brick) which I still use today. (15 years later) I was impressed with the HTX202 radio, its ruggedness and such. Its seals were excellent, buttons and keys were efficent. My negatives were no WX freqs to monitor wx. Otherwise I was impressed. (AND NO I DONT WORK FOR RS)

Unfortunately today, many companies are going down hill. Cheaper is better and customer service and knowledge of product is essential to keeping your current and future clients. ICOM, YAESU, KENWOOD still make decent rigs, but nothing to what they use too. As things miniaturize price increases and it becomes difficult to make things work right. Mainly disapating heat is the #1 problem, smaller cases, but no where to get rid of the heat fast enough.

Most companies today are controlled outside the US anyways. One US Amatuer Radio Manufactuer I personally know has problems with the overseas offices. They try desperately to help their customers when their radios have problems, but the Japanese offices refuse to acknowledge them or tell them they CANNOT do this or that (ie my personal experience... they wanted to make a modification to my radio after it vaporized inside due to thermal problem, but the technician said he would do it anyways in my new radio as they replaced it, then made the modification at the factory before they shipped it.) Yet the Japanese Corporation refused to acknowledge they had a problem and refused to make the modifications at the factory to fix it. Later I realized why, its a 200.00 part, thats why. I still purchase that brand of radio because of the Techs at the repair site, but unfortunately the profit doesnt go to them where it should.

So much the corporate thinking structure.

My Silver Dollars worth.

Mark

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[WS2L]

Until you have actually worked for this company (as I have) you can't see the big picture. As Tom mentioned, the site is completely an opinion based site like QRZ is. Radio$hack has launched an attack on not only RSS.com but ANY site that has the words Radio or Shack in the contents. RSS.com is a very heavily moderated site and filters in place so the vulgarity issue is out the window. On the header of each page it clearly states in bold letters RSS Management is not responsible for postings by it's members. As Tom also mentioned, Radio$hack is not 100% of the content of it's posting, people talk about movies, politics, Star Trek, Ham Radio, and a host of other topics. Several months before the injunction was placed there was a section added called "How to improve the company" where members could share legitimate ideas where Radio$hack could make improvements at the store level. Unfortunately the powers to be in Fort Worth have more than likely never even visited one of there own stores, they have no idea what sales associates and store managers deal with on a daily basis. They sit in their ivory towers and comand the lowly drones as to what they should do or not do, dozens of memo's per day with constant changes.

RSS.com may be just one website in the vast sea of the internet but it is not the only site to come under attack by Radio$hack. Again it is an opinion website and I have seen some of the injunction when it was posted for viewing. Radio$hack's grounds for attacking the site are nothing short than outright LIES. The site sells no products and obviously can not be mistaken from Radio$hacks own website.

[K0ZZE]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N4FLJ @ July 29 2004,20:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Sky is falling! #The Sky is falling! #If you illegally use a registered trade name you get what you deserve! #This has no place here, has nothing to do with Ham Radio. #
Just my $.02...

73![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif i agree, i dont think the lad that started this thread is rowing his boat with both ores http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[kc5raf]

It is called trademark abuse. get you every time..

73 kc5raf..

[w0irr]

Ihave been attack . Not sure that it is R/S or not but i been in almost all store from them in worcester ma .But if they using this way for harrasing it is not legal at all.They should have what they diserved

[w4fjf]

HERE IN THE "HEART OF DIXIE" WE CALL IT THE "RAT SHACK". THEY HAVE ABANDONED ALL OF WHO ARE HAMS. THE LAST COMPANY THAT DROPPED THEIR HAM RADIO GEAR WAS LAFAYETTE RADIO ELECTRONICS, THEY DIDN'T LAST LONG AFTER THAT. SO LOOK FOR THIS FOOLISH COMPANY TO GO BELLY UP AND DIE. EXCEPT FOR A VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS, MOST RATSHACKS HAVE NO ANSWERS,NO PARTS, AND NO "ELECTRONICALLY" INTELLIGENT PEOPLE BEHIND THE COUNTER. AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN BUY MOST OF THE SAME ITEMS THAT R-S HAS AT WAL-MART AT ABOUT 20-40% LESS THAN THE LIST PRICE R-S HAS. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BUY A PL-259 (THAT YOU CAN GET AT A HAMFEST FOR A BUCK) FOR 5.49 ? WE WILL ABANDON THE RATSHACK, IF ONLY BECAUSE OF THEIR INFLATED PRICES, BAD SERVICE(THEY RECENTLY REFUSED TO REPAIR A PRO-2021 SCANNER, I HAD TO SEND IT ELSEWHERE FOR REPAIR), AND NO INTELLIGENT ANSWERS. WHAT A SHAME. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[w0irr]

Ihave been attack . Not sure that it is R/S or not but i been in almost all store from them in worcester ma .But if they using this way for harrasing it is not legal at all.They should have what they diserved

[ke4pjw]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kc8www @ July 29 2004,21:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have read some of the copyright law. The name Radioshack can be copyrighted but not trademarked. Just like the name QRZ. What can be trademarkes is the actual logo, The QRZ.COM with the globe, the globe itself, or the Radio Shack logos. The words radioshack may be copyrighted but they can be used under reasonable use. But since the names RadioShackSucks is not a registed trademark or copyright. It wont get very far in court. UNLESS the sight uses the trademarked logos in the page.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
How about reading the U.S. Copyright Office's webpage on the matter. You can't copyright names. (http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.html#names) It's not a creative work.

[n4vox]

What a crock. Who cares. This is an arugument for the courtroom, not the internet. Get a life people. Gill

[w4dlh]

How can this be a trade mark violation? The name of the company is RadioShack not radioshacksuck. I Lowes Foods and Lowes are not the same. The trademark for RadioShack includes the Upper case "R" and "S". Interesting how companies internally work very hard to protect how they use their name and not deviate from it to avoid compromising their trademark but the court is flexible when considering violations. I predict this will be overturned.

[KB1KIX]

Regarding the previous post about using radio shack in the name - it doesn't matter. There is previous caselaw about this being freedom of speech.

Look at www.2600.com and look at their battles with Ford, Disney and the like. They had verizonreallysucks.com and verizon made a stink about it. Incidentally enough, verizonsucks.com was actually owned by verizon - so obviously they know what we know http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Also contact the Electronic Freedom Foundation at www.eff.org - this is the kind of thing they have lots of experience with.

Jonathan

[WA6KSS]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n4vox @ July 31 2004,10:43)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What a crock. #Who cares. #This is an arugument for the courtroom, not the internet. #Get a life people. #Gill[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Actually, this is both. If the case against an Internet website is ruled in favor of RadioShack, it will change the face and scope of the Internet.

It will be a case of monkey see, monkey do. If RadioShack gets away with it, it will give license to any company to go after anyone that opposes that company. It's a case of Big Brother trying to rule the world.

Take off the blinders to see what's going on around you.

As for trademarks, how can a stolen phrase be considered original work? Read RadioShack's history for the answer.

[WG4STV]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WA6KSS @ Aug. 01 2004,11:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n4vox @ July 31 2004,10:43)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What a crock. #Who cares. #This is an arugument for the courtroom, not the internet. #Get a life people. #Gill[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Actually, this is both. If the case against an Internet website is ruled in favor of RadioShack, it will change the face and scope of the Internet.

It will be a case of monkey see, monkey do. If RadioShack gets away with it, it will give license to any company to go after anyone that opposes that company. It's a case of Big Brother trying to rule the world.

Take off the blinders to see what's going on around you.

As for trademarks, how can a stolen phrase be considered original work? Read RadioShack's history for the answer.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Remember the software "Microsift Windblows 95"? I saw it in a Wal-Mart once. I haven't seen it since. It was supposed to be a funny parity on all the problems that Win 95 had when it was first released I guess.

[AB8RU]

so that means I cannot use Eatadoughnut#####.com either might have a trademark of some sort I am just using this for comment interesting to see what will happen.

[W0LC]

As long as there are lawyers, you will find this sort of thing happening frequently. Change your website name and perhaps you can post all that you want.

[W5GD]

In my opinion, Radio Shack DOES suck. #I hate to go into one and will not unless there is absolutely no other option. #I suggest a boycott (one t or two?). #

On my local repeater, we refer to the above mentioned company as "Telephone Booth", which more accurately describes what they are about. #I litterally HATE to run the "How do you like your current Cel Phone company?" gamut. #If I just need to pick up a quick connector or some small item, I've got to contend with the little techno-nerds that have no clue about anything concerning radio.

I went into one RS recently and told the clerk right up front that if he even mentioned a cel-phone that I would leave. #I admit I wasn't in the best of moods, but I really didn't want to deal with a barrage of questions. #Well, he didn't mention my cel-phone, but he did launch into the 20-question barrage of "What are you trying to do?"; "Have you ever done this before?"; "Are you sure you want that particular item? #It would be much better to use [such-and-such higher priced item]." #You know, I don't think you should wire up speakers like that."

I started to unload on the boy, but took a deep breath instead. #I could have said that I was doing electronic and electrical work 10 years before he was born, and that he should just shut up before he really embarrased himself. #But, I didn't. #I kept my mouth shut, got what I needed and left. #And never went back. #I'll just order from Mouser or Digikey next time and wait 4 or 5 days to get the part. #It's much cheaper that way, and a lot less hastle.

I would really like to see my one-man boycott grow into a real nationwide action, but it probably won't.

Steve, W5GD

P.S. #I did get on the company websight and made my suggestion for a name change. #I suppose they thought I was just joking.

SR

[K4NWJ]

All I have to ask is what about Wal-Mart? There is one of them about every 5 miles. BTW walmartsucks.com also exist..

[N9XK]

Someone I know told me to check out this thread as I #don't really frequent this site anymore. (Actually, astronomy has become my primary hobby and ham radio is on the back burner for now.)

First of all, what does this thread have to do with ham radio? I mean honestly, this is pure and simple copyright and trademark infringement, that's the chance you take when you decide to break the law. The name RadioShack is a "brand identity" (read up on your intellectual property rights some time), whether you add sucks, or blows, or whatever other colorful adjective it still has the internationally recognized RadioShack name in it and I can guarantee you that the add-on adjectives don't endear your cause to them or a court.

Have you all forgotten the young man who had the URL MikeRoweSoft.com, his name really IS Mike Rowe and MSoft shut him down because it SOUNDED too similar. As far as I'm concerned this case is already decided. They are going to throw him under the bus.

Secondly, I'd like to point out that the person who originally posted the story and is going on about "Your freedoms are in jeopardy" didn't think twice about editing several users posts (including my own) back in February to alter their meaning when he was "moderating" posts on QRZ.com. To me the "post tampering" was a serious violation of "Free Speech" and not this joke of a thread about someone who is actually in violation of Intellectual property laws.

And NO you DON'T have my support to break the law, as a matter of fact I'll write in to advise the judge to prosecute this case by citing the Mike Rowe case.

Maybe folks in glass houses....

I love it when things come around 360 to people. I'm still laughing about it.

73,
Mark
N9XK

N2XK,

Your worried about an edited post from FEBRUARY ? ? ? ?That's like 6 months ago, you obviously need to GROW UP and learn how to let things go. Act your age, not your shoe size.


****Wanda, don't sweat the small stuff, it's all small stuff. The responses have me rolling on the floor laughing.****

[n9lya]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (WL7LZ @ July 30 2004,22:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Oh my lord....... How people get upset.

#1 I do NOT work for RS. I just wanted to let folks know about one thing they do have that help Hams that most people dont know about. Then afterward I included my few cents worth on the posting.

They do make a good antenna. Excellent for the Triband transmit Handhelds withthe extended Rx.
Its a TRIBAND mag-mount. TRANSMITS (up to 25W) on 50/144/440. #Also wide band receive.(1Mhz through 1Ghz I think) #Perfect for the Yaesu 5Rs and 7Rs with their 50/144/440 Tx. and the 1Khz to 16MHZ then to 900+ Rx. For folks needing a cheap costing but built decent antenna, it work well. Most people dont realize it is a tri-band transmitting antenna, since its listed as a scanner antenna, but it states right on the package 50/144/440 transmit up to 25w.)

Its 19.95 (the name brand antennas will cost much more) and quite small. 3 loading coils... One base and two in the whip. Weighs less than a pound and even though the magmount is small it holds excellent on 75MPH highway speeds. I have 2 and have had them for 15 years. Makes a great backup antenna.

To test the people at radio shack I always go in and ask them for a variable resister and the triband antenna to see if they know where and what they are. Most do.

**** RS and their history ****

RS use to make decent equpiment. The HTX-202 and 404s were excellent radios (although I did have a chuckle when people tried to expand them... as they couldnt be expanded) and the old 10m rig from HTX-100 I think it was was decent. Their mobile were good too, BUT

They now are more into the cellphone and toys. They have gone down in quality as they do not relate to Radio anymore.

Such a real shame. I have had good and bad experiences with them, but I wont say anything vulgar about them (vulgarity shows a persons intellect I think) just the straight simple facts and no need for vulgar personal opinions. I see vulgarity, I stop reading and go on to another post. Im interested in facts and decent opinions. You can still "G" rate your post and get your point across.

Its a real shame as I field tested the 202 on a whim. Back then I used a FT-470 and a IC-32AT. (2m/440 tank built brick) which I still use today. (15 years later) I was impressed with the HTX202 radio, its ruggedness and such. Its seals were excellent, buttons and keys were efficent. My negatives were no WX freqs to monitor wx. Otherwise I was impressed. (AND NO I DONT WORK FOR RS)

Unfortunately today, many companies are going down hill. Cheaper is better and customer service and knowledge of product is essential to keeping your current and future clients. ICOM, YAESU, KENWOOD still make decent rigs, but nothing to what they use too. As things miniaturize price increases and it becomes difficult to make things work right. Mainly disapating heat is the #1 problem, smaller cases, but no where to get rid of the heat fast enough.

Most companies today are controlled outside the US anyways. One US Amatuer Radio Manufactuer I personally know has problems with the overseas offices. They try desperately to help their customers when their radios have problems, but the Japanese offices refuse to acknowledge them or tell them they CANNOT do this or that (ie my personal experience... they wanted to make a modification to my radio after it vaporized inside due to thermal problem, but the technician said he would do it anyways in my new radio as they replaced it, then made the modification at the factory before they shipped it.) Yet the Japanese Corporation refused to acknowledge they had a problem and refused to make the modifications at the factory to fix it. Later I realized why, its a 200.00 part, thats why. I still purchase that brand of radio because of the Techs at the repair site, but unfortunately the profit doesnt go to them where it should.

So much the corporate thinking structure.

My Silver Dollars worth.

Mark

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Radio Shack does not MAKE anything... They simply private label item manufactuered by others...

Yes, today they seem to be dropping out of the Parts arena.. I believe its a bad thing... But most consumers today want these items.. I have simply built up my supply of parts through Mail order like JAMECO, and MCM ELectronics... As well as other Parts stores .. For Items I use less often and do not bother keeping.. I look for at Hamfests... If a need comes up.. I may stop by the Radio Shack.. Usually to find they either are simply out and have not reordered or longer carry this part.. Back to the search engine..

True Story...> Heard this at a local PARTS store.. (not Radio Shack)..

A guy goes into Radio Shack to buy a resistor.. He tells the clerk he needs a 10 OHM resistor 1/4 Watt .. The clerk says we are all out, here this 10K ohm is better, the K is the indicator....

A Lady goes into Radio Shack.. Asks for a 120VAC AC power strip... Radio Shack only has 110VAC power strips so Sends here to (A Parts store) Where I am at and We all have a good laugh over these stories..

73 Jerry http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[N9XK]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (N2HKN1 @ Aug. 05 2004,06<!--emo&http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">N2XK,

Your worried about an edited post from FEBRUARY ? ? ? ?That's like 6 months ago, you obviously need to GROW UP and learn how to let things go. Act your age, not your shoe size.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Just pointing out hypocrisy when I see it. I mean after all it DID happen. Are you jealous because I have a better long term memory than you do or something? I know that some day when I'm very old I'll start forgetting things too, but until then I like to remember my experiences. Mostly the happy ones though :-)

Obviously you support such activities. So according to you it's OK for someone to edit the meaning of a post so that it fits their agenda, but later to come crying about our "freedoms" for something that doesn't even involve ham radio?

Now tell me whose acting like their shoe size? Need I remind you, that your childish "shoe size" and "grow up" comments only serve to lower the opinion of ham radio as a whole and nothing more.

People ask me why I'm never on the air any more. More so than before the "wonderful attitudes" on these websites ARE a true reflection of the same attitudes on-air.

BTW, for your information "I let that go" the day it happened, by writing a very pointed email to Fred, AA7BQ about it.

Considering this thread isn't even remotely ham radio related let's either drop it, or if it is to continue at least maintain some level of decorum without resorting to childish name calling.

73,
Mark
N9XK

[bladernr]

"The trademarked name was directly used. If you would have called it anything but Radio Shack it might have been OK. Same thing happened with "Wal-Mart Su**s" dot com. Try doing "StarWarsSu**s" dot com and see how long it takes for Lucasfilm to haul you in to court. Those names are trademarked for a reason."



Actually, any of you who think that just because Radio Shack is a trademark means that you can not register radioshacksucks.com are wrong. Case law is already in existance regarding this. See Ford v. 2600. Ford sued 2600.com because they registerd the domain name f###generalmotors.com, and pointed it to ford.com in DNS.

2600 won the first case, Ford appealed, and 2600 won the appeal. Ford sued claiming that having that address pointed to the Ford website would confuse people into thinking that Ford approved of such activity and supported the domain name in the first place.

The Judge who dismissed the suit in appeal (meaning that Ford lost this suit TWICE) said this:
trademark laws "cannot be interpreted so broadly as to include any use that might disparage or otherwise commercially harm the mark owner."

In other words, trademark law can not be used to stifle opinionated domain names such as radioshacksucks.com simply because they have a trademark in the name.

73 de Jeff

[ke4cir]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w8jv @ July 29 2004,17:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Jeez, get a life. Don't use a copywritten or service marked name in the site address and you can say whatever you want. Freedom of expression is NOT freedom to steal a copywritten property. What do you think would happen if you started a business and called it Wal Mart? Obviously the injunction is against using the name, not against posting your opinions.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Frist of all my comment on this post. I dont think the ones that started this website was starting a business. It was a fourm site to post your opinions about Radio Shack. For stealing a copywritten property/trademark. Why KFC has not taken PETA to court for copywritten property/trademark issues. Radio Shack has gone down hill. When call about a question. They have an answer "I Dont Know". I do agree on another post. This is not a Ham Issue. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I think this is funny,

RADIO SHACK DOES SUCK!!!!!!!!!

I took my radio to them to be fixed (Which i have a service plan on) 5 times,they dont fix it right.......

I have heard they rip people off who have these plans,i am more so convinced they are right!!!! The antenna i bought from them has fallen apart 5 times (5 diff. antennas of the same type)

Radio shack is 1 of the most crappiest dealers in the country.......I sure hope we get some better quality stuff from someone else SOON!!!!!!! (TANDY SUCKS)

The Dude http://id-discussions.com/forum/images/icons/icon04.gif

EDIT:
I just checked out the site HERE (http://web.archive.org/web/20030623223623/http://www.radioshacksucks.com/) http://www.webhostingtalk.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=2140624 TOO FUNNY,i hope they get it back up http://www.webhostingtalk.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[WS2L]

The Dude,

Yup, that was our main page and the site will be back in one way or another. Here are some screen shots of the new site when it is put back up http://mysite.verizon.net/res072bx/id3.html

I won't even get into service issues, those extended service plans aren't worth the paper there writen on.

For now I'll sit back and laugh (practically on the floor) at some of the comments being posted, you just can't make this stuff up. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Ah......

Your the admin of that site?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif I just emailed you then (hehehe) (webmaster)

Oh well........Ya,ya gotta laugh at it cause ya know WHY they want your site gone........THEY SUCK AND THEY DONT WANT YOU ADMITTING IT http://www.webhostingtalk.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Ill have to look @ your screenshots a little later,kinda busy and gotta get movin' Ill let ya know what i think when i see it http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

DONT LET THEM IDIOTS PUSH YOU AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WS2L]

The Dude,

I'm not the Admin or owner of Radio$hack$ucks.com, I am an Admin of a Retired NJ Law Enforcement site and a Moderator on this site. Tom (WA6KSS) is the owner & Admin of the R$$.com site, you can check out his BLOG that is updated daily for more info on what's going on. When you see the screen shots you will see the obvious differences between the old & new, thanks for the support my friend.

http://www.socaltom.blogspot.com/

[k7hub]

KE7BMO here,

I am just curious, how is RadioShackSucks.com is vulgar, degrading, obscene or disgusting as several people have mentioned previously in this list. RadioShackSucksCo*k.com, di*k.com or a*s.com I would say meets those criteria but those are not in the name of the site/domain, just "sucks", he*l my shop vac. does that. It is also true, because Radio Shack does in fact suck, no ifs, ands or buts about it, so no lies there, they are a shadow of the company they once were, you can't ask a question of someone that works in one and get an accurate answer to your question, frequently you get their standard, non trademarked "I dunno" as an answer.Generally your trademark includes your logo, which I don't see being used, just the words radio, shack and sucks which are no more trademarked by Radio Shack than the windows in my house are by Microsuck, uh, I mean Microsoft. If they do not like it they better find another line of work because the one they are currently in doesn't suit them.

Offer to put a link to their site on yours if they will put one of yours on theirs, they for sure will see the humor in that unless they are a bunch of stuffed shirts. # # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[K3DAV]

Yes Radio Shack does suck indeed. #I used to work for them part time in the mid 90's, and the treatment of employees was horrible by the company.

They are dropping all of the good stuff for the latest kid stuff. #They are no longer a Radio Shack type of store, and need to change their name.

As much as I hate to say it, I agree with many of the posters that even though the RadioShackSucks website is a great site, they used the famous CIRCLR R logo with a man urinating on it. #As funny and appropriate as that may be, it is a not just the name but the TM logo that was used. #You can't do that. #If you took my company logo, and used it on your own website with a man peeing on it, I would be doing everything I could to stop you.

The website should be reopened with a new name that doesn't include the Radio Shack name or "Circle R" logo...ie....RadioShaftSucks..... #Then they couldn't touch it.

Good luck to RadioShackSucks.

P.S. I miss the pictures of Len Roberts that you could stretch and play with. They were a riot.

[WS2L]

Taken from another thread on this site, all I can say is AMEN MY FRIEND.

73's
WS2L


T&O Topics can be posted about ANYTHING. As long as we follow Glen's "rules of the road" it shouldn't matter.

This is a ham radio site. However, I feel that most Amateurs should be able to talk about other subjects as well including #the issues of the day. If you don't like the topic, go to another thread. There are many others on this site. Kinda like using that VFO knob on your radio.

Bravo Zulu on the improvments on the site Fred.

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73 de Gary

[W0LC]

I don't think that anyone needs a website slamming RS.
I think it is obvious enough to most technically minded individuals. I refuse to go there any longer. I refer to it as a junk store now.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif What's radio shack have to do with ham radio anyways, The local one doesen't even carry rg8u or ground rods any more. I end up ordering from aes or some other..Radio shack is of no interest to me,it's let me down too many times when looking for common electronics...Don

[AE6GC]

Your choice of name shows your character. You should be shut down.

[ke4rws]

I'm one of those people that also think Radio Shack sucks. I also think the shack doesn't know electronics from bananas, and the word "Radio" should be dropped from their name. It's funny how they can imply knowlege in general electronics when in fact they know nothing about electronics, but when people complain about the company on an independent website by simply presenting the facts they get shut down for presenting the truth of the matter. Of course, Radio Shack is still permitted to operate under the ruse of representing and knowing about electronics in general.

Radio Shack should be called "Junk Shack" because that's what they represent. It would also be in your best interests to look up the stock number and present it to the sales clerk because 90% of the time they have no clue what you're looking for. Of course, this means doing their work for them, but if you need a simple PL-259 you're probably going to end up locating it in the store yourself. There's the occassional shack employee that knows what their doing, but the Tandy Corporation is only interested in hiring warm bodies. The only real qualification you need to work at the shack is the ability to convert oxygen to carbondioxide. If you can perform this feat, you're hired.

As for trademark issues, I just don't see it. The term "Radio Shack" is of such general reference that RadioShack is obviously lining someone's pockets to get an injunction pushed through.

I guess if I ran an organization as sorry as RadioShack and mistreated my employees the way the shack does, I'd also be pursuing an injunction in order to prevent the TRUTH from being heard by the general public. After all, you can't sell junk to people if you can't openly lie to them through advertising.

It's that simple.


Randy Evans
# KE4RWS

[KD7CHI]

If I was a member of the Radio Shack BOD's, I would be quite upset, but on the other hand I would require the store managers, to train the sales staff NOT to sell Amatuer Radios to unlicensed customers.

[WW8J]

Avoid all of the litigation and nasties. Change the name to Radio Trash Sucks.com. Good luck in the battle for free speech, not trademarks.

[WS2L]

On January 11, 2005 the internet site www.radioshacksucks.com is back on the internet. The return of the website was granted when a deal between RSS Management and the Radioshack Corporation were made as an "Out of court" settlement. When you sign on to the main page you can view a copy of the injunction, underneath that are some very simple to follow rules which mostly pertain to current employee's. As a Guest to the site you can view all threads in all forums without the need to register as a user. Guests can also annonymously post messages to the "Customer Compliment" and "Customer Complaint" forums. For full access to the site and all of it's forums you need to register with the website by choosing a screen name, a password and you must supply a valid email address as you will receive a confirmation email that your account is active. Thank you to all those who posted positive and negative feedback in this thread, RSS Management appreciates your feedback.

Come visit us at: Radio $hack $ucks.com (http://www.radioshacksucks.com)

[kb9ygd]

[B]Well Guys I Totaly Agree About Radio Shack & I Dont Do Business With Them For Any Reason.I Am Glad The Website Is Back Up & Also Agree With It.All Radio Shack Wants To Do Is Sell You/Me Cellphones & Stereo Equipment.If You Go In And Ask One Of The Sales Personel A Question Of A Tech Nature He Or She Will Say Ah...Duh...They Are Not Qualified To Take My Garbage Out... ``THE REAL HAM`` My Webpage (http://mysite.verizon.net/res868sp/thetriantafilosfamily/index.html)