I just read a very disturbing commentary in the August issue of Mainline Modeler. I had not heard anything about this previously, I wonder if any of you have. It seems that UP lawyers have identified an easy source of income, they are demanding a royalty of 3% of the wholesale price of any product bearing their, and their predecessor, logos. This includes SP, WP, MKT, RG, T&P, MP and C&NW. Also, UP can cancel the contract at any time, and tooling would become UP property! The article states a few model companies have signed the agreement. Expect prices to go up. At least one company is beginning legal action against it. Apparently the fallen flag logos can be considered abandoned under the law.
The article states that some modelers who influence shipping decisions are using BNSF or trucks, and letting UP know why. Others are buying UP stock with the intent of attending the next annual meeting and turning it into a PR nightmare. Legal challenges may be able to count on politicians who would have nothing to lose going against UP.
The article also provides a name and address for the CEO of UP. It may be pointless but why don't we all write him to ask him to abandon this idea? If UP gets away with it you can bet the other roads will do the same.
Dick Davidson, CEO
Union Pacific Railroad
1416 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE. 68179
One more thought, it might be nice if we let the hobby mags know we'd like to see all UP related articles replaced with BNSF or other articles until such time the issue is resolved.
If anybody out there knows more currant news on this, please let me know.
The article states that some modelers who influence shipping decisions are using BNSF or trucks, and letting UP know why. Others are buying UP stock with the intent of attending the next annual meeting and turning it into a PR nightmare. Legal challenges may be able to count on politicians who would have nothing to lose going against UP.
The article also provides a name and address for the CEO of UP. It may be pointless but why don't we all write him to ask him to abandon this idea? If UP gets away with it you can bet the other roads will do the same.
Dick Davidson, CEO
Union Pacific Railroad
1416 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE. 68179
One more thought, it might be nice if we let the hobby mags know we'd like to see all UP related articles replaced with BNSF or other articles until such time the issue is resolved.
If anybody out there knows more currant news on this, please let me know.