Fake CAP insignia on eBay

[alamrcn]

I know some of you type in "Civil Air Patrol" occasionally on eBay.

Have you seen the CAP items being sold by "freedomfifty2k" in the last two months?

http://myworld.ebay.com/freedomfifty2k/

The seller's name is Robert "Bob" Lafond, and he's in the Philippines. He's been making and selling "one-off" replicas and fake Civil Air Patrol patches and cloth insignia. And seeing some of the items he's chosen, I am certain that he's getting the designs from the CAP Patches website.

I submitted a claim to eBay for 10 of the auctions about a week ago, claiming he was selling copies of items from copyrighted images, and selling them as authentic. eBay has done nothing so far, and he continues to put up new items.

How can I get National legal on this guy?

[raivo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/US-Civil-Air-Patrol-Airborne-Ranger-Shoulder-Patch_W0QQitemZ120534600262QQihZ002QQcategoryZ66528QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...

Anyways... I'm not sure what exactly can be done, legally, if he's outside the US...

[AdAstra]

Ace,

I've seen freedomfifty2k's offerings, and even bought one. When I received it, I definitely considered it a local reproduction. For one, the size did not match an authentic patch I have.

I eventually ended up laughing at all his camo reproductions of full-color squadron patches. To my knowledge, none of the CAWG unit patches that he's offering have been made or worn in camo.

Copyright violation? What squadron bothers to copyright their patch design?

[Eclipse]

Is that where all the subdued fakes are coming from?  I was wondering.

Somebody bought an embroidery machine...

[James Shaw]

Attempts have been made to get a C&D to this person. The problem that arises is that we cant get a definative lock on the location for mail. This type of thing has fallen on death ears. CAP has made attempts in the past with this one and several others. He is in the Phillipines and we have had no luck. We did succeed with a company on ebay "USNUSA" who was selling repro Observer Wings and Pilot Wings with a vintage style. They show up every once and a while.

[♠SARKID♠]

I'm quite amused at the subdued NBB patch.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that patch should be four inches across.

[raivo]

This type of thing has fallen on death ears.

[Eclipse]

Attempts have been made to get a C&D to this person. The problem that arises is that we cant get a definative lock on the location for mail. This type of thing has fallen on death ears. CAP has made attempts in the past with this one and several others. He is in the Phillipines and we have had no luck. We did succeed with a company on ebay "USNUSA" who was selling repro Observer Wings and Pilot Wings with a vintage style. They show up every once and a while.

ooooo! I've been looking for a set of those.  I better watch where I buy them.  It never occurred to me someone would make fake vintage
wings.

[vmstan]

Yeah it seems really strange that anyone would take the time to rip off CAP logos, patches, wings, etc. Seems like there would only be a small market of people interested in them from which to scam... compared to say, more general military members/enthusiasts.

[Mustang]

On the other hand, stuff like the Castle Valley Sq patch he has listed, was never produced in an embroidered version, so his version is an enhancement; the original was screen printed!

Now if we could get him to produce one-offs of OUR choosing, THAT might be worthwhile, eh Ace?

[Eclipse]

The seller's name is Robert "Bob" Lafond, and he's in the Philippines.

Couldn't Curt just ask his cousin to "knock it off"?   

[Strick]

I wonder if this guy will start making more patches now that the Hock had to stop selling CAP stuff,  Idea ...............TOM SHOULD MOVE THE HOCK SHOP TO CANADA!!!!!!!!!! :clap

[sarmed1]

cant wait to see this one show up somewhere nearby.......



mk

[Майор Хаткевич]

Since the company I work for sells quite a bit of our motorcycle tools on eBay, the best way to get it pulled is for National to contact eBay about the issue. In fact, they can NARU the seller completely.

[NIN]

ooooo! I've been looking for a set of those.  I better watch where I buy them.  It never occurred to me someone would make fake vintage
wings.

That begs the question: if someone is creating repros of "historical" insignia (ie. the "droopy" observer/pilot wings), whats the harm?  Its not like CAP has a gigantic stash of these things and they're waiting for the market to peak to unload them.....

I have a set of WWII CAP parachutist wings. Tatooed on my right bicep. 

Is my bicep potentially violating CAP's trademark on a set of insignia that hasn't been worn in about 47 years?

[Major Carrales]

I have a set of WWII CAP parachutist wings. Tatooed on my right bicep. 

You mean to say that is real?!?  Wow!!!  And I thought I was pushing it having a CAP sticker on my car.

[Hawk200]

I have a set of WWII CAP parachutist wings. Tatooed on my right bicep. 

You mean to say that is real?!?  Wow!!!  And I thought I was pushing it having a CAP sticker on my car.

They did exist, but never officially. They look pretty good though.

[Dracosbane]

Is it wrong that I want some subdued CAP patches just for the schlitz and giggles?  I'd add them to my collection.

[Eclipse]

ooooo! I've been looking for a set of those.  I better watch where I buy them.  It never occurred to me someone would make fake vintage
wings.

That begs the question: if someone is creating repros of "historical" insignia (ie. the "droopy" observer/pilot wings), whats the harm?  Its not like CAP has a gigantic stash of these things and they're waiting for the market to peak to unload them.....

The main reason I'd want them is the affinity for the history that is likely stored like a battery within the pin.  Otherwise its just a hunk of metal.

Is my bicep potentially violating CAP's trademark on a set of insignia that hasn't been worn in about 47 years?

Well, since it wasn't a real insignia to start with, probably not, though I believe there have been court challenges to
tattoo artists using Mickey Mouse and similar highly-protected trademarks.

[Майор Хаткевич]

MCCS patch from Texas...hm...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Patch-CAP-Civil-Air-Patrol-McHenry-Composite-Squadron_W0QQitemZ110492618514QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b9df8f12