Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Regardless of who we use, it will still be illegal to do so without permission from Ford.

Any way we could get a poster of the cover in color?

How is that?

Ford's trademarks and trade dress serve several important purposes.  First, seeing the distinctive Ford logo on a product or business is an immediate indication that the product or business is authorized by Ford.  Second, a product bearing a Ford trademark is an indication that the product is of high quality and has passed Ford's strict quality control procedures and inspections.  Third, placing a Ford trademark on a product indicates that Ford, or an authorized agent, is the source of the product, and that the product is genuine and not counterfeit.  When the public purchases a product or service sold under a Ford trademark, the public has every right to expect that the product or service is the "real thing."  All of this, in turn, contributes to the value of Ford trademarks as legitimate and important business assets of the company.
 
  At times Ford enthusiasts question why Ford is so adamant about policing its trademarks and preventing unauthorized uses or infringements of them.  It is quite common for someone who is using a trademark without permission to say, "I'm giving Ford free advertising, so why does Ford care?"  Ford cares because it is important that Ford be able to exercise control over the quality of the product or service bearing Ford's trademarks.  If a disreputable business sells an inferior product or service that uses a Ford trademark, the poor quality of that product or service reflects on Ford.  A person who is disappointed by that poor product or service will not take the time to determine whether Ford in fact authorized the use of its trademarks.
  They will, probably rightly, assume Ford to be the ultimate source of their disappointment and may transfer their loyalty to a competitor.
 
  If a business not affiliated with Ford uses any Ford trademark, whether through the use of photographs, depictions or silhouettes, or any confusingly similar variation thereof, without Ford's express, written consent, then that business is violating Federal and state trademarks laws.
  That business is also misleading the public into believing that such business is affiliated with Ford.  It is also not sufficient for a business to state that it is not affiliated with Ford but continue to use Ford trademarks without permission.  The business is still misappropriating the goodwill and reputation developed by Ford, and attempting to capitalize on or profit from Ford's goodwill and reputation.  Even with the best of intentions, unauthorized use of another company's trademark is against the law and misleading to the general public. 
 
  Unauthorized and infringing uses of Ford's trademarks come in many disguises.  Examples of cases in which Ford has successfully pursued infringers include the following:  (1) businesses that use Ford trademarks in their business name such as "John Doe's Ford Repair;" (2) businesses that use Ford trademarks or trade dress in advertisp00gets, including phone book advertisp00gets; (3) businesses that place Ford trademarks or trade dress on products such as shirts, coffee mugs, key fobs, etc.; and (4) businesses that use Ford trademarks in their Internet domain names.
 
  Ford genuinely hopes the public understands the need for Ford to police and enforce the proper use of its trademarks and trade dress.  To protect the value of its trademarks, Ford is obligated to object to and pursue unauthorized uses of its trademarks and trade dress, even if the use of the trademark or trade dress does not appear offensive or objectionable.  If Ford does not do so, it may be deemed under the trademark laws to have abandoned its trademark rights. 

im no lawyer, so for my own clarification are pics of our cars considered a Ford trademark/trade dress?
or is it the fact that you are sellin pics of our cars which have Ford trademarked logos on them?

Although you may own the Ford automobile, you do not own the rights to the trade dress. Taking pictures of any Ford automobiles, placing them on products (i.e. calendar, mugs, t-shirts, etc.) and making them available to the public for sale is an infringement of Ford's intellectual property rights.

Ford genuinely hopes the public understands the need for Ford to police and enforce the proper use of its trademarks and trade dress.  To protect the value of its trademarks, Ford is obligated to object to and pursue unauthorized uses of its trademarks and trade dress, even if the use of the trademark or trade dress does not appear offensive or objectionable.  If Ford does not do so, it may be deemed under the trademark laws to have abandoned its trademark rights.