Urgent IUP Update
Thread Starter
The Mustang Source FOUNDER
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 9,890
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From: Vestavia Hills, Ala.
I just talked to one of the senior members of Team Mustang regarding the availability of IUP and MyColor. Here's the scoop, straight from the horse's mouth, as of 3:20 PM Jan. 19:
- Ford underestimated demand of IUP to be 20-30%. The actual take rate is closer to 80%.
- They are at AAI now installing new capacity. It will be at the new full capacity within the model year.
- Ford believes they have no liability in the MyColor case with Mr. Weyer, and they are continuing to produce 2005 Mustangs with IUP and MyColor.
- 2005 Mustangs ordered with IUP and MyColor are being produced as we speak.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: November 9, 2004
Posts: 721
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Thanks Brad. 
It's just a waiting game which I think we will all be pros at by the time this is over.
It's just going tot take a little while for them to get caught up on the demand.
I hope Ford and the judge tell old Franky boy to Pound Sand. :angry:
It's just a waiting game which I think we will all be pros at by the time this is over.
It's just going tot take a little while for them to get caught up on the demand.
I hope Ford and the judge tell old Franky boy to Pound Sand. :angry:
Thanks for the update Brad.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: May 19, 2004
Posts: 964
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From: Bauhston
I just spotted this article, it dosen't look like Ford is in the clear just yet.
The guy wants $4 bucks a car that has IUP.
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/1/emw199210.htm
All Press Releases for January 19, 2005
Preliminary Injunction Motion Filed Against Ford's 2005 Mustang
A preliminary injunction motion has been filed in the federal patent infringement case against Ford's 2005 Mustang. The motion seeks an injunction prohibiting "Ford's continued manufacture, offering for sale, and sale of 2005 model year Mustang automobiles with the "MyColor" instrument panel lighting feature."
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 19, 2005 -- A motion for preliminary injunction was filed today in the patent infringement case against Ford's 2005 Mustang currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California as Civil Action No. CV-04-08630 CBM (SHx). The motion, filed by the patent owner Frank Weyer, seeks an order from the Court enjoining "Ford, and its officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all those in active concert with Ford" from "making, using, selling, or offering to sell the 2005 model year Mustang automobiles with the "MyColor" feature.
The "MyColor" feature is an option available on 2005 Mustangs that allows the driver to change the color of the instrument panel lighting. Ford calls the "MyColor" feature "the industry's first driver-configurable instrument panel lighting that lets you choose from 125 colors." According to the prelimary injuction motion, the 2005 Mustang's "MyColor" feature infringes U.S. Patent No. 5,975,728 issued to Weyer on Nov. 2, 1999 for "Method and Apparatus for Providing User Selectable Multi-Color Automobile Instrument Panel Illumination."
The "MyColor" feature is part of the "Interior Upgrade Package" sold by Ford for the 2005 Mustang.According to reports from Mustang enthusiast websites, 80% of buyers of the 2005 Mustang are ordering the Interior Upgrade Package.
Numerous buyers are complaining, however, that their orders for Mustang's with the Interior Upgrade Package are being delayed by Ford, without explanation. Several have contacted Weyer by e-mail, anxious about their orders and asking whether Ford has made any effort to settle the patent issue so that they can take delivery of their Mustangs.
"All that Ford has done so far," Weyer says, "is ask for more time to answer the complaint." Weyer has had only one conversation with Ford's attorneys, shortly after the complaint was filed. "I told them that all that I was seeking was a very reasonable royalty for their use of the patent." Weyer says. "It is my understanding that Ford charges around $750 for Interior Upgrade Package as a whole, and the MyColor feature accounts for probably half of that. At a 10% royalty, that would be approximately $4 for each Interior Upgrade Package sold. I'm surprised the Ford is making its customers, who have paid $25,000 to $30,000 for their new Mustangs, wait rather than pay a mere $4 for a patent license."
The hearing for the preliminary injunction motion has been set for February 28, 2005.
The guy wants $4 bucks a car that has IUP.
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/1/emw199210.htm
All Press Releases for January 19, 2005
Preliminary Injunction Motion Filed Against Ford's 2005 Mustang
A preliminary injunction motion has been filed in the federal patent infringement case against Ford's 2005 Mustang. The motion seeks an injunction prohibiting "Ford's continued manufacture, offering for sale, and sale of 2005 model year Mustang automobiles with the "MyColor" instrument panel lighting feature."
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 19, 2005 -- A motion for preliminary injunction was filed today in the patent infringement case against Ford's 2005 Mustang currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California as Civil Action No. CV-04-08630 CBM (SHx). The motion, filed by the patent owner Frank Weyer, seeks an order from the Court enjoining "Ford, and its officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all those in active concert with Ford" from "making, using, selling, or offering to sell the 2005 model year Mustang automobiles with the "MyColor" feature.
The "MyColor" feature is an option available on 2005 Mustangs that allows the driver to change the color of the instrument panel lighting. Ford calls the "MyColor" feature "the industry's first driver-configurable instrument panel lighting that lets you choose from 125 colors." According to the prelimary injuction motion, the 2005 Mustang's "MyColor" feature infringes U.S. Patent No. 5,975,728 issued to Weyer on Nov. 2, 1999 for "Method and Apparatus for Providing User Selectable Multi-Color Automobile Instrument Panel Illumination."
The "MyColor" feature is part of the "Interior Upgrade Package" sold by Ford for the 2005 Mustang.According to reports from Mustang enthusiast websites, 80% of buyers of the 2005 Mustang are ordering the Interior Upgrade Package.
Numerous buyers are complaining, however, that their orders for Mustang's with the Interior Upgrade Package are being delayed by Ford, without explanation. Several have contacted Weyer by e-mail, anxious about their orders and asking whether Ford has made any effort to settle the patent issue so that they can take delivery of their Mustangs.
"All that Ford has done so far," Weyer says, "is ask for more time to answer the complaint." Weyer has had only one conversation with Ford's attorneys, shortly after the complaint was filed. "I told them that all that I was seeking was a very reasonable royalty for their use of the patent." Weyer says. "It is my understanding that Ford charges around $750 for Interior Upgrade Package as a whole, and the MyColor feature accounts for probably half of that. At a 10% royalty, that would be approximately $4 for each Interior Upgrade Package sold. I'm surprised the Ford is making its customers, who have paid $25,000 to $30,000 for their new Mustangs, wait rather than pay a mere $4 for a patent license."
The hearing for the preliminary injunction motion has been set for February 28, 2005.
Jackass
Joined: August 24, 2004
Posts: 1,113
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Originally posted by new22003@January 19, 2005, 3:43 PM
Thank you again for dispelling false internet rumours.
Thank you again for dispelling false internet rumours.
GT Member
Joined: February 11, 2004
Posts: 187
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Originally posted by TheMustangSource@January 19, 2005, 3:25 PM
I just talked to one of the senior members of Team Mustang regarding the availability of IUP and MyColor. Here's the scoop, straight from the horse's mouth, as of 3:20 PM Jan. 19:
I just talked to one of the senior members of Team Mustang regarding the availability of IUP and MyColor. Here's the scoop, straight from the horse's mouth, as of 3:20 PM Jan. 19:
- Ford underestimated demand of IUP to be 20-30%. The actual take rate is closer to 80%.
- They are at AAI now installing new capacity. It will be at the new full capacity within the model year.
- Ford believes they have no liability in the MyColor case with Mr. Weyer, and they are continuing to produce 2005 Mustangs with IUP and MyColor.
- 2005 Mustangs ordered with IUP and MyColor are being produced as we speak.