Protool to be absorbed by Festool?

[Alan m]

rick you seem to know a lot of reasons why it would be a good idea. do you care to share

on the google trademark point.
do you mean that if every uses the term google (as in just google it etc) when they really mean search the internet ,then google the company doesnt have any say over its use any more

similar to saying i will do the hovering instead of vacum cleaning

 

[Rick Christopherson]

on the google trademark point.
do you mean that if every uses the term google (as in just google it etc) when they really mean search the internet ,then google the company doesnt have any say over its use any more

similar to saying i will do the hovering instead of vacum cleaning

Yes, that is absolutely correct! This is the sole reason why the Allen Tool Company lost their Trademark to "Allen Wrench", and also why Kimberly Clark lost their trademark to "Kleenex". (Oh, Vise-Grip is another one that got lost.) Google is at risk of loosing their's for the same reason. They have recently stepped up their efforts to protect it, but I have seen it coming for several years.

Once a Trademark becomes "common lexicon", it can no longer be defended, and Google is very close to having this happen to them. This point was actually in the news just a couple weeks ago. They can't go after the individual people, but they have stepped up efforts against the media and large sources.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I've been out for the day but I see this carries on. I'm going to offer my guess.

Festool and Protool combine, as well as the color scheme, and it's called Halloweentool. Systainers will be replaced with white sheets of fabric that conform to the shape of the tool with Plug-It and CT holes cut out and each tool with come with a complimentary bottle of fake blood. This decision was made after decades of market research that determined 98.7% of professional woodworkers are keen on the holiday and celebrate it year around. After all, woodworker with a lopped off finger costume sales are at an all time high.

We later find this was only second to the idea of Oktoberfestool where a camelback-style Systainer would come out with a sippy straw for your favorite on-the-jobsite beverage consumption. However, this cannibalized sales of woodworker with a lopped off finger costumes because guys were really cutting off fingers when using tools while drunk. The Halloween costume industry lobbied for the Halloweentool option and offered monetary and other kickbacks in return for a change in marketing strategy.

Since Halloween is popular in the U.S., this was seen as a highly strategic move to secure future market share with would-be Protool antagonists.

[popcorn]

 

[peter halle]

I've been out for the day but I see this carries on. I'm going to offer my guess.

Festool and Protool combine, as well as the color scheme, and it's called Halloweentool. Systainers will be replaced with sheets of plastic that conform to the shape of the tool with Plug-It and CT holes cut out and each tool with come with a complimentary bottle of fake blood. This decision was made after decades of market research that determined 98.7% of professional woodworkers are keen on the holiday and celebrate it year around. After all, woodworker with a lopped off finger costume sales are at an all time high.

We later find this was only second to the idea of Oktoberfestool where a camelback-style Systainer would come out with a sippy straw for your favorite on-the-jobsite beverage consumption. However, this cannibalized sales of woodworker with a lopped off finger costumes because guys were really cutting off fingers when using tools while drunk. The Halloween costume industry lobbied for the Halloweentool option and offered monetary and other kickbacks in return for a change in marketing strategy.

Since Halloween is popular in the U.S., this was seen as a highly strategic move to secure future market share with would-be Protool antagonists.

[popcorn]

[thumbs up] *3

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've been out for the day but I see this carries on. I'm going to offer my guess.

Festool and Protool combine, as well as the color scheme, and it's called Halloweentool. Systainers will be replaced with sheets of plastic that conform to the shape of the tool with Plug-It and CT holes cut out and each tool with come with a complimentary bottle of fake blood. This decision was made after decades of market research that determined 98.7% of professional woodworkers are keen on the holiday and celebrate it year around. After all, woodworker with a lopped off finger costume sales are at an all time high.

We later find this was only second to the idea of Oktoberfestool where a camelback-style Systainer would come out with a sippy straw for your favorite on-the-jobsite beverage consumption. However, this cannibalized sales of woodworker with a lopped off finger costumes because guys were really cutting off fingers when using tools while drunk. The Halloween costume industry lobbied for the Halloweentool option and offered monetary and other kickbacks in return for a change in marketing strategy.

Since Halloween is popular in the U.S., this was seen as a highly strategic move to secure future market share with would-be Protool antagonists.

[popcorn]

Misdirection??  Shane is trying to throw us off track here. [tongue]

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I like this new "Halloween Perspective". It makes more sense.  [big grin]

So can we start showing pictures of Shane in our favorite Halloween regalia?  [tongue]

 

[Brice Burrell]

You guys get carried away, way to easily.

You can already get your hands on some of the protool stuff anyways.

Like a giant beauty shop in here.

Yet you keep coming back...... [big grin]

 

[AlexThePalex]

You have the two forms of protection backward. A patent can be challenged for any one of its multiple "claims" (a patent term), but a Trademark is less likely to be challenged after it has been issued. The Trademark has successfully existed for 14 years without challenge, so challenging it today would be frivolous.

It's not only about owning a trademark. What also matters is name recognition. If you introduce a new name that is similar to an existing brands' name then the original company can ask the court to forbid you using that name. Happens all the time. You might be able to trademark a name like Coco Cola because technically it is spelled differently, but you're never ever going to sell any bottles under that name for obvious reasons.

Personally I think it wasn't the best decision by TTS to choose the name Protool. It sounds very good but it's too generic. Many other brands with that name or similar names already exist. Furthermore, lots of very cheap tool brands use something with Pro in their name to give it a shine of quality. While it's the exact opposite. The first time I heard of Protool I thought that it was another one of those cheap brands. Only when I saw their price tags I realised it must be something different. But because of the word "Pro" the wrong assumption was quickly made.  

 

[Brice Burrell]

.......As I said above, I have no idea whether this rumor has any truth or not, but the reasons given behind the speculation are not based on any business logic. That is all I am saying.

I disagree.  The obvious logic is to build on the strong(er) brand of Festool over that of the Protool name.  This is especially true here in N. America, if they decide to go that route.  It could be cost prohibitive to build the Protool brand here.  I don't think you are arguing these points.  Your idea of just rebadging the Protool products to sell here is solid.  However, what would be the point of keeping the Protool brand if (and this is a big if) they could do better branded as Festool?      

 

[Alan m]

i have  to agree with alex
too much crap with the 'pro' in the  name
i usually look at tools like that as the crap that most of them are.
there is a debate (not sure if any one is listing thow) over here in ireland
a lot of the big name supermarkets are designing their home brand products with similar names and packaging to the premium brands
there is talks about it being consumer fraud(might not be the right term but , making the consumer think they are buying one thing when thare buying something else)

i cant see this doing any harm to either brand. they are both great tools sold by a great company. i wish all the tts devisions would come together . im sure there are tools there we would all love

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I was having some fun with this, and Shane's Halloween posting had me on the floor laughing. But it is getting out of control, so I am bowing out.

 

[Alan m]

I was having some fun with this, and Shane's Halloween posting had me on the floor laughing. But it is getting out of control, so I am bowing out.

its not dragons den rick . no need to say your out.

we all know there is nothing any of us can say that will influence this either way.
its fun to think about thow

 

[ccarrolladams]

Rick, I am not clear where you studied IP law and where you are licensed to practice.

That was a major issue for every successful business I have ever owned. I graduated from a major law school, as well as engineering school and have been licensed to practice in the Federal Courts since 1960. So as we said in law school, those who care to debate are welcome to see us in court.

Trademarks, copyrights and patents all can be up-set for many reasons. Knowing those is why we study law and pass exams. Wishing the laws are written the way someone wants them to be written is a wish a dream makes.

Of course your experience probably differs.

 

[Wooden Skye]

I have been following this thread, and I almost feel that lately I need to enroll in law school or put an attorney on retainer.  Wouldn't a better announcement at least for us in North America be that Festool got UL approval to use/sell the CMS with the ability to use the OF2200 and the other modules outside NA.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Rick, I am not clear where you studied IP law and where you are licensed to practice.

That was a major issue for every successful business I have ever owned. I graduated from a major law school, as well as engineering school and have been licensed to practice in the Federal Courts since 1960. So as we said in law school, those who care to debate are welcome to see us in court.

Trademarks, copyrights and patents all can be up-set for many reasons. Knowing those is why we study law and pass exams. Wishing the laws are written the way someone wants them to be written is a wish a dream makes.

Of course your experience probably differs.

Let's step back for a moment and take a look at what you just wrote.

Did you contradict what I wrote?  Nope!

Did you present a differing opinion to what I wrote?  Nope!

Did you further the discussion in any positive manner?  Nope!

I politely bowed out of the discussion because it appeared to be headed in this direction, yet you tried to castigate me for stepping away from this. If you have a counterpoint argument to make, then do so. But don't blindly attack me without substantiation.

 

[skids]

I've been out for the day but I see this carries on. I'm going to offer my guess.

Festool and Protool combine, as well as the color scheme, and it's called Halloweentool. Systainers will be replaced with sheets of plastic that conform to the shape of the tool with Plug-It and CT holes cut out and each tool with come with a complimentary bottle of fake blood. This decision was made after decades of market research that determined 98.7% of professional woodworkers are keen on the holiday and celebrate it year around. After all, woodworker with a lopped off finger costume sales are at an all time high.

We later find this was only second to the idea of Oktoberfestool where a camelback-style Systainer would come out with a sippy straw for your favorite on-the-jobsite beverage consumption. However, this cannibalized sales of woodworker with a lopped off finger costumes because guys were really cutting off fingers when using tools while drunk. The Halloween costume industry lobbied for the Halloweentool option and offered monetary and other kickbacks in return for a change in marketing strategy.

Since Halloween is popular in the U.S., this was seen as a highly strategic move to secure future market share with would-be Protool antagonists.

[popcorn]

Misdirection??  Shane is trying to throw us off track here. [tongue]

Yep, I smell a rat..As far I am concerned Shane just validated all our suspicions. Can't wait to get my first Protool! We can close this thread now.  [wink]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Guys, feel free to speculate or whatever, but let's keep it friendly.

Skids, I just think it entertaining to read all of the theories and such. It's almost becomes conspiracy theorist-like sometimes when these threads break out. I was just having some fun with it. Please proceed.  [smile]

 

[Wooden Skye]

Shane is about to be a big tv star and is just being modest again.  The big news is The New Yankee Workshop is coming back on air sponsored by Festool.  Shane is going to be Norm's sidekick!  Can't you tell by Shane's picture they are brothers from another mother!  [big grin]

 

[skids]

Guys, feel free to speculate or whatever, but let's keep it friendly.

Skids, I just think it entertaining to read all of the theories and such. It's almost becomes conspiracy theorist-like sometimes when these threads break out. I was just having some fun with it. Please proceed.  [smile]

Yep, I am with you. Although I have contributed to the bologna too!

 

[fritter63]

+1 Shane

Shane Holland now has a karma level of 999,764.