Key Blank Order

Ok, great response, I'll contact the supplier for a price up to this point. I'll also ask if there are any patented infringements.

 

sorry, just the color & design as shown

 

Hey Mike,
After further inquiries, there are different colours available. When you place your order ask for desired colour. More to come
Larry

 

This is a quote from the supplier:

" Patents deal with unique mechanical mechanisms; (this key can not qualify for patent protection today, 200 years ago maybe)
Design patents deal with unique designs, (best example is a Coke bottle, it's unique hour glass design is protected, and is printed on every aluminum can they produce, (see below))
Trade Dress protection covers looks and packaging only. Meaning the protected "feature" can have no mechanical uses, what can be covered is a special oval or shield shape feature which doesn't have any mechanical use, but is used as visual identification for the brand.

In order to qualify under any of the above mentioned protections, Ferrari would have to apply for this protection with the USTPO. If for what ever reason, they didn't apply, or their application was not dated prior to the start of my manufacture and sell of this key, I would be Grandfathered in, meaning, there would be little they could do to stop production except try and financially bleed me through legal means (which happens a lot), there are recourses for frivolous lawsuits i.e. trouble damages which usually mean 3x cost in damage awards, or in many cases, the suits are simply dismissed because there is no case.

Does Ferrari care, is it worth their time ? I do not know, but they are not granted rights unless they have taken the necessary steps to protect themselves. If one was interested enough, you could search the USTPO office and see what protections they have applied for, and are in place, but even then, it's not so clean cut;

If I take an original Ferrari engine and install it in my Jeep, Ferrari can't come back and stop me through patent protection, because I'm using a component they produced verses manufacturing my own "Ferrari" engine. The same applies for the "Key" portion of the key, it's an off the shelf part, which is used in a couple of other auto brands, (no protection can be granted). The keys I produce use an actual Ferrari produced SF enamel shield, so there is no conflict there, which leaves the shield shape of the FOB which may be in question, I do not know if they have applied for the proper protections prior to my manufacture date, Ferrari has not contacted me with a cease and desist letter. When or If I receive a C&D letter, I have the right to comply, or ignore their initial requests, which I would evaluate the filings and decide whether they have a valid claim or not. Many companies throw C&D letters around like candy from a piñata, this is done more as a scare tactic rather than for legitimate claims or right they may have. The other thing many company found in violation do is simply change only slightly the size, shape or another small feature to work around the protected product, this happens in nearly all cases where the company wants to continue production, but not be found in violation.

The other minor thing which needs to be in place to actively maintain a product right is it's continued use by the company. It might be successfully argued that since only 399 + or so Enzo keys were manufactured, and they have ceased production of this model a couple of years ago, they may have already lost their right to protection, if they had the forethought to even protect the design in the first place.

If there is a concern in the Ferrari community about selling these keys in violation, there is little if nothing Ferrari could do to stop or require prior sales be returned. They first have to show and prove they have a right, or claim to that protected "thing", then and only then can they legally stop someone. But again, if Ferrari was successful in ceasing production they would have to prove they were monetarily damaged in order to be awarded monetary damages, so they may win, but what are they going to win outside of huge attorneys fees. This knowledge alone usually stops frivolous lawsuits.

I trust I've not bored you to tears, but patent protection is not at all clean or clear cut. I've been on both sides of the fence in nearly all the above mentioned claims, the game is never fun, and is never won, the lawyers nearly always turn out to be the winners, and they manage to keep the cocks angry at each other long enough to collect their in many cases outrageous fees."

 

Hi Guys,
The response for the Enzo key was been overwhelming. I think this is a great product and will prove to add a little more pride of ownership to our Ferrari's.

Here's the scoop.

The supplier would like the agreed price to remain private as he intends to continue to sell on Ebay. This group buy will dilute the market some, but wants to keep that to a minimum. He would like to use the PM system in FChat for price inquiries and details on the buying process.

So, PM me for pricing and the suppliers name & email address.

There will be a one week window for placing an order starting today and ending Jan. 28

After receiving the email request, He will send an email confirmation of the order, and a paypal invoice request, so if anyone doesn't hear back from him, they should ping him again. All orders need to be placed and Paypal paid by the 28th. If you don't have a Paypal account, he will accept a cashiers cheque.

If for some reason he runs out of a specific key blank, He will email the customer the approximate lead time, and allow extra time as long as funds have been sent. If you cannot wait or don't want to wait this period of time, your funds will promptly be credited back to your account. If you order the wrong key, he will gladly exchange it for the correct key as long as the shipping costs are covered both ways.There may be a short term inventory problem with the H61VR version, as it's the hardest blank to obtain, first come first served.

Your Email should contain;

1.) under Email Subject heading use ( Ferrari Enzo Key) which will help quickly identify the key orders.
2.) Which key is needed (try your best to match your key with the diagram) indicate model & year
3.) How many keys
4.) Paypal email account information (so he can send the money request)
5.) Shipping address
6.) Special requests (different colors, cost and lead time will be evaluated on an individual basis, and may be easier to complete after the 28th)
7.) If you are unable to positively identify which key you need, just send a .jpg over


Hope I have covered everything, am waiting for your PM
Larry