Stryke Audio Name Change (merged)

John E Janowitz · 10-29-2003, 08:08 PM

I appologize if this is off topic, and if it needs to be removed, I understand. Stryke Audio will soon be changing names. I am posting to the DIY section because it is where most people know of Stryke Audio. We are running a contest to come up with a new name and logo for the business. The official thread is here on our forum.

http://www.stryke.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=427

Thank you for your help. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

John

Brett DiMichele · 10-30-2003, 12:36 AM

I just thought I would pass this along since many of the
DIY'rs here have Stryke Audio Products or use John's Forums.

I guess John is changing the name of the buisness. I will
let him elaborate on what extactly is changing but I thought
it would be a good idea to let everyone know in case they
can't get a hold of him in the future. I am not sure if his
email address is changing or not.

Hopefuly John will see this thread and post the pertinant
info.

Jeff Braddock · 10-30-2003, 05:06 PM

I think he had a thread started here (at the HTF) sometime earlier today about it. I thought it was on this forum, but I may be wrong.

Rory Buszka · 10-30-2003, 10:16 PM

I wish they weren't just changing the name to "Custom Audio Solutions". It just sounds so generic, consdering the type of unique company it is and the distinctive products it sells. I know they can't stick with Stryke, but I just felt a little disappointed...

I wrote John an email suggesting the name "Aphelion Audio", with the term "Aphelion" meaning the part of the earth's orbit that is the farthest from the sun. I even wasted an afternoon working up a concept for a graphic design that would go well with the name "Aphelion". It turned out very nicely. If John will permit (I don't want to hose any copyright laws) I would post a screenshot of it on here, just to show my idea. Of course, if it is John's wish, I will also delete all the graphics and HTML files I created for the concept design, if I am violating copyright laws.

Of course the final decision on the name to select is always sompletely up to John. It is not my company, and I wonder if I wasn't stepping out of my place by making such a suggestion.

I wonder if my emails are even getting through, because I wrote another one inquiring about details of the Stryke 10" passive radiators.

Brett DiMichele · 10-31-2003, 12:27 AM

Rory,

I guess John is just trying to cover his back.. Fosgate
Audio is the reason he has to change in the first place (if
I am correct) it's sad when big conglomerations come along
and threaten the little guy who has a legit buisness just
because thier names sound "similar" bearing in mind that
John had the name long before RF came up with the "Strike"
division.. But they have the legal muscle so they will win
no matter what..

I know I won't ever buy another piece of Trash from any
Fosgate owned entity again.. I will vote with my dollars.

**HTF Ads**

Rory Buszka · 10-31-2003, 07:51 AM

I know, I just didn't know the curcumstances surrounding that. Man, that sucks. The biggest shame is that Stryke makes products that are multiple heads and shoulders above anything Rockford Fosgate has. (that IS who we're talking about, right?) There is no justice in this country when something like that can just happen. It's like Microsoft busting into a little software shop and saying "Ok, we're going to sell a program like the one you're making so you can't make it anymore."

Seth_L · 10-31-2003, 03:41 PM

Go to court and depends your principles instead of rolling over.

Brian Bunge · 10-31-2003, 04:24 PM

Seth,

I assume you're willing to pay John's legal fees? I sure as hell can't afford to do it. I don't imagine any of us can. That's why Rockford won't drop the suit. They've got deep pockets.

The only way going to court would benefit John is if he could find a young, hotshot lawyer wanting to make a name for himself. If he could countersue Rockford to pay the legal fees plus damages and he won the lawyer would immediately earn some serious money and credibility all at once.

Brett DiMichele · 10-31-2003, 09:22 PM

Yep that's the problem Rockford has the lawyers and the
money to fight and fight and fight. Whether it's right or
wrong they would drain John of all his money in the process.

And yep Rory we are speaking about the Rockford Group who
owns Rockford Fosgate, Mackie, Lighting Audio etc.

Seth_L · 11-01-2003, 11:49 AM

Quote:

I assume you're willing to pay John's legal fees? I sure as hell can't afford to do it. I don't imagine any of us can. That's why Rockford won't drop the suit. They've got deep pockets.

Well I was thinking more along the lines of self representation. I know lawyers are expensive, but we're not talking about an issue of splitting hairs. This is an issue of him having the name first. Seems like it shouldn't be that hard to convince a judge (with evidence) that he had it first and RF is full of shit even without a lawyer. All he needs is time and I'd imagine he as some of that.

RF knows they don't have a case. If you put up some resistance that will cost them money they will likely stop. RF isn't stupid they aren't going to keep wasting money on something they know they can't win.

Brian Bunge · 11-01-2003, 02:55 PM

Well, I sure wouldn't have time to fool with something like that. Not if I wanted to continue running my business. And I also imagine Rockford has lawyers on retainer. This means that many times they have absolutely zero to do. So they have to find people to sue in order to show Rockford that they still need them on retainer.

It's what I refer to as, "busy work".