Festool Live is DEAD.
- Thread starter onocoffee
- Start date
Chainring
Member
Currently, it's called The Three Splinters Podcast. Prior to that, when Ben Marshall was on it, it was called The Green Suiters Podcast.
I've had a number of commercial reps contact me, over the years. They always offer to bring tools in for you to try, 'contact me if you need anything' etc, etc. But, overall, they're almost invisible and they do seem to go through a lot of them! Occasionally they run demonstrations at my local United Tools and presumably others as well.
Back in the early-mid 2000's, dealers had BIG Festool displays - tools out of their systainers, accessories, MFTs set up, very well thought out, almost a store within a store. Now, most just have a wall display. Milwaukee and Makita rule the roost, that's for sure.
CloudFlare
Member
This is from personal experience. The man you see in front of a camera is not the same man in person, particularly when not around a large audience
CloudFlare
Member
hes like a chameleon. He will change his personality, behavior, etc depending on his audience in order to gain something, whether that's status, money, free tools...
CloudFlare
Member
There had to be internal issues as Festool is extremely strict. Notice how "FestoolSedge" and "FestoolBrent" names on social media suddenly changed? This was because it interfered with their marketing in some way, not exactly sure how, but they made this change a few years back. Speaking out on Festool in anything but a positive manner will eventually get you removed. Its a very toxic environment. I would love to see them on a fresh new page. New staff members throughout, bring back innovation, bring back the focus on professioanals, etc. There is so much they could do to succeed and it seems theyre doing the exact opposite.
Battery technology is so far behind its nuts. Only now they create an 8.0 while other brands are well beyond that and have been for years. The cordless planer has been requested for years and only now its coming out, many years too late. The cordless domino, they ran out of ideas and seem to want to copy lamello, but the weight distribution is way off (very heavy rear even without the battery), so it really makes you wonder what on earth theyre doing
luvmytoolz
Member
This is pretty normal for any company to require judicious use of the company name when it's potentially outside of their control, and they may seem to be held responsible for the actions or speech of others, especially when the company has lawyers advising them.
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Several things mentioned in this thread that seem to be "new" developments aren't new at all. First - bilingual job requirements. That has been around since at least 2015. I interviewed for a position - believe it or not my interview was in the stands at JLCLive (the year that they held the main event presentation at the hockey arena on the ice) and it turned out I couldn't be hired because I wasn't bilingual. Second - use of the word Festool in social media without permission. Oh, that one goes way back and is in fact a major reason this forum is owned by Festool. Although the forum was started by someone else, when things went wonky, Festool was ready to go to court to require a name change but ended up purchasing the forum.
Peter
Peter
4nthony
Member
Interesting. I haven't been around long enough to know the story behind how things went wonky. Can you elaborate?
Also, are there any attorney's out there that can comment on using the Festool name in a fair-use context? Asking on ChatGPT about this, the consensus is that it falls under fair-use, but with risks.
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Yes—in theory, the use of a domain like FestoolOwnersGroup.com could fall under nominative fair use, but it comes with important nuances. Here’s the careful breakdown:
1.
U.S. trademark law generally allows the use of someone else’s trademark to identify the trademarked product rather than to suggest sponsorship. Courts usually look at three factors:
- The product or brand must be clearly identified:
- Using “Festool” is necessary because the forum discusses Festool products.
- Only as much of the mark as needed is used:
- “FestoolOwnersGroup” uses the brand once, purely descriptively.
- No suggestion of endorsement or affiliation:
- If the forum explicitly states “Not affiliated with Festool” and doesn’t imply sponsorship, this factor favors fair use.
2.
Even if it qualifies as fair use, risks remain:
- Likelihood of confusion: Users might still initially think the forum is officially sanctioned.
- Commercial use: Monetizing the forum (ads, affiliate links, merchandise) increases scrutiny.
- Domain disputes: Festool could still file a UDRP complaint or send a cease-and-desist, even if your use is technically fair.
3.
- Include a clear disclaimer on the homepage and “About” page.
- Avoid terms like “official” or “endorsed.”
- Consider using slightly more descriptive wording in the domain if possible (e.g., FestoolUserCommunity.com or FestoolFansForum.com).
- Ensure content is genuinely user-generated discussion, not marketing or sales material.
Bottom line:
Yes, it can fall under nominative fair use if it’s purely a user discussion forum and clearly disclaims any affiliation. But fair use isn’t a guarantee—companies sometimes challenge domains regardless.
Chainring
Member
Heck, just a few years back there was the mandate from Festool to dealers instructing name changes. Remember festoolnirvana.com? I forget what US Tool and Fastener's Festool focused site was called. They all had to change so there'd be only one Festool.
luvmytoolz
Member
The defining criteria for infringement in general is just something as simple as if there could be any possible confusion or implication that the infringer is connected to, or acting on behalf of the main party.
In the case of a forum named Festool Owners Group, it would be reasonable to assume it's a Festool backed or owned entity.
CloudFlare
Member
ShopFestool.com was US Tool & fasteners. Toolnut had one too
CloudFlare
Member
A similar situation happened on Facebook. "Festool North American Fans" was owned by Beaver Industrial Tools (A Festool dealer) and there was a lot of drama a few years ago, so they made Festool employees the Admins/Moderators of the page, but it never felt the same since.
Festool Owners Group on Facebook is the other big Festool page. It appears that the Admins/Moderators of that page are not Festool employees or Festool dealers to my knowledge.
CloudFlare
Member
Every Friday, for the entire 24 hours, we come here and we debate! hahaha
CloudFlare
Member
Petition to change name of this sub-forum
Festool live is DEAD, but this sub-forum is WELL ALIVE
Festool live is DEAD, but this sub-forum is WELL ALIVE
Stevenski
Member
Interesting. I had no idea this site is owned by Festool. In fact, I had assumed quite the opposite but now I see the (C) at the bottom of the page.
It doesn't really matter to me either way, I guess, because I am here for the users and their shared experience. I had however simply assumed that this was a community powered resource but maybe that was just naive of me...
I told @Cheese in another post that was the wild west this post has most of the elements of first world problem on a third rate fourm.
It's a good read all 5 pages. https://festoolownersgroup.com/threads/goodbye-and-good-luck.4972/
MacBoy
Member
For those who want to listen to one of their podcasts, lookup “The Three Splinters” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or on other players such as Overcast.
If you want to see their personalities, watch the first 5 minutes where Sedge explains him (and others) being released by Festool.
If you want to see their personalities, watch the first 5 minutes where Sedge explains him (and others) being released by Festool.
onocoffee
Member
Well, that was a ridiculous read.I told @Cheese in another post that was the wild west this post has most of the elements of first world problem on a third rate fourm.
Glad to say that I don't perceive this forum to have the tenor of that era - and I'm very pleased to say that. I've found this forum to be supportive, engaging and populated with knowledgeable people willing to share their experience and expertise.
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