There's an article today in Automotive News about GM, what I believe to be SLP, and the Judge.
I don't have full access to AN, but here's the first paragraph.

"General Motors and an aftermarket company that specializes in producing high-performance vehicles both are laying claim to the name "Judge" for a souped-up version of the new Pontiac GTO."


If anybody here has an account with AN, would you please post up the whole article? Thanks.

 

http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=45622

DETROIT -- General Motors and an aftermarket company that specializes in producing high-performance vehicles both are laying claim to the name "Judge" for a souped-up version of the new Pontiac GTO.

GM believes it owns the name, since it created the GTO Judge, a special performance and appearance model of the GTO marketed from 1969 through 1971. The Judge name has not been used on a vehicle since then. Production of the original GTO ended in 1974.

SLP Engineering, of Troy, Mich., best known for creating the high-performance Firebird Firehawk, says it has made the name a registered trademark in preparation for launching its own high-performance models of the GTO next spring.

SLP founder Ed Hamburger said his company will offer three souped-up GTO models, one with 370 hp, one with 389 hp and one badged the "421 Judge," a version that will make 421 hp.

Lapsed ownership?

Hamburger said SLP researched the Judge name and found that ownership had been allowed to lapse. He says he also trademarked the phrase "Here's Comes The Judge," which could be used in advertising.

"GM created the trademark and it has always been associated with GM and the GTO," said Robert Kraut, GTO brand manager. "You get the right to use the trademark with usage and association."

GM will do whatever is necessary to protect its trademarks, a spokesman said.

Hamburger said SLP's GTO packages are aimed at addressing what GTO enthusiasts say are shortcomings of the new car - the lack of a functional hood scoop, rumbling dual exhausts and an aggressive appearance that signals the car's tire-shredding performance.

GTO purists have been pummeling GM with complaints about the car's styling, which many say is too bland and doesn't contain any of the original car's styling DNA.

GM officials have said they specifically don't want the new GTO to look like the old models for fear it will be perceived as a flash in the pan retro car and have a short shelf life.

Pontiac plans to sell about 18,000 GTOs in the 2004 model year. The car will sell for about $33,000.

Kraut said that an advance-order system put in place last summer has been successful, and that the first buyers are tracking their cars as they are being built. Kraut would not say how many GTOs have been sold, but said he's "cautiously optimistic" that the first year's production will sell out.

The 2004 GTO arrives in early December. It is based on the rear-wheel-drive Holden Monaro from Australia and features a 350-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 and rear-wheel drive.

Bolt-on performance

As with the Firehawk, consumers will buy GTOs from a dealer, who will ship the car to an SLP-approved upfitter to have the performance parts added.

"We've established ourselves in the marketplace as a GM tuner," said Hamburger. "This is the next logical extension of the Firehawk program now that that car has been mothballed."

For the GTO, GM is not sharing technical information with SLP. Kraut said that GM is neutral about SLP's beefed up GTOs.

"Our position is that we encourage the production of aftermarket components for our products," said Kraut. "There is a long history of SLP doing this. We shouldn't be surprised that there is a lot of interest in the GTO."

Kraut would not talk about future GM-built super-tuned versions of the GTO other than to say various groups within GM are looking at the car. "There's a real need for personalization and customization in that category of car."

Hopefully they can work something out, but GM should get the Judge nameplate, let SLP get their own name.

 

Ced,
Thanks so much for the post.


It will be interesting how GM and SLP resolve this issue.

 

Especially when SLP's life is made much easier when GM helps them out. Seems odd to bite the hand that feeds you, no? However since GM has said they are not going to actively help SLP with the engineering, maybe this is a bit of sour grapes.

 

Rule #1 in the American Automobile Industry...

DO NOT **** OFF THE GENERAL.

 

not a problem Hujass...
I think that SLP and GM should compliment each other rather than waste resources reinventing the wheel. It doesn't make economical/common sense. I know GMPD needs credit for any and all future upgrades to GM existing vehicles but till that happens SLP should be allowed technical data to produce the best upgrade package.

 

At least GM was able to keep the ram air logo...

 

*cough cough johnzdelorean cough ralphnader cough cough*

 

I would think that GM would want SLP to help them sell there car. After all people are buying the GTO from GM and they can have it sent to SLP to have what they WANT done to the car. I see nothing wrong with that. I am really starting to dislike GM, i like the cars but the management is just sucking right now. If they are going to have a pissing contest about the name judge what else is next SS? THey should be working side by side not against eachother.

 

If GM actually has plans to produce a "Judge" model straight from the factory then I'd be pissed off with someone like Berger, or SLP, or Motion or whoever else if they trademarked the name and sold the upgraded cars as a Judge model, thereby screwing GM for using the name officially. I'm sure GM has no problem with people getting SLP to add features/parts they want to the car, the problem is the slightly shifty trademarking of the name to basically prevent GM from using it in the future.

Now if GM had no real intention of offering a "Judge" then I say screw it. I would be willing to bet they had no interest in making a new Judge are only fighting to keep the control on their side... Of course I can still see them wanting that control legitimately, as they may in the future want to offer the Judge even if they have no plans now.

 

this would be my guess-

Three letters why GM wants to hold on to the Judge and other names associated with high performance pontiacs - "HSV"

the abundance of readily available and "tested" hi-po options from HSV is something the General wants to capitalise on, from massive 6 piston cross drilled brakes, to body kits, racing suspension (ohlins) that will fit straight on to the GTO , and not to mention the first coupe 4 awd Monaro on the market, again from HSV.

i noticed also 2004 GTO as an entrant for Grand-Am Cup ???

I would feel pretty confident if preparation of this entrant was handled by a v8 supercar crew.

 

Could it just be as simple as GM letting SLP use the "Judge" name under liscense from GM? GM keeps the copyright, SLP gets their Judge package, and Joe Public would never know the difference.

 

I don't care what they call it, just get those cars on the market. A 421hp GTO?

 

Very interesting, I don't SLP is strong enough right now to take GM on nor can they act indipendently because they won't be able to sell these "Judge" models from the dealer. GM still has the upper hand. I'm sure something will be worked out.

 

Wow.

This seems to be developing into the dumbest conflict since SpikeTV

Why, oh why does it seem that both SLP and GM, two companies that to me were joined at the hip, gearing up to fight... over a proper noun?

1) SLP will most likely lose in court either way; they trademarked a known GM product name (obsolete or not) in preparation for launch of the new GTO. They win, GM is pissed - no cars for you through dealer channels, they lose - same thing. (Not to mention that GM could tie them up in court forever if it wished.

2) It's a F****** NOUN!!! - Most of us see Judge and think GTO, but to most folks it's that person at court wearing the black robes.

I'm definately with ced8 on this one; the F-body is gone, the GTO has (will soon be) back - NOW these two decide to want to start something? It can only end badly for those who want a GTO Judge, which is exactly the people SLP and GM are interested in doing business with in the firstplace...

Stupid, stupid, stupid...

***With respect to 99SilverSS as many of his points already cover some of mine...