[oasis]

The Volkwagen Beetle is a very unique animal in automotivedom. Just look at the ability to interchange parts across many model years as well as other air-cooled models coupled with how many were sold in 50-plus years. When one talks of generational differences in Thunderbirds or Corvettes, one talks about cars with virtually no compatability with their own namesake.

Because of this, there are huge numbers of people and businesses making money off of the Beetle, and this product alone.

I guarantee if there is someone making replacement parts for a Model T, they have an agreement with Ford. And if they don't, I guarantee Ford will notify them as soon as they find out.

And if this took place, few (by comparison to the VW air-cooled community) would know.

General Motors prevented Volkswagen from using Safari in North America for what became the Thing. Ferrari issued a cease and desist order to Aurora to prevent them from making slot cars with their likeness and name. Jaguar did the same to the NFL team located in Jacksonville until it got litigated into an agreement. And so on. It's pure folly to think companies don't defend their copyrights in the same way as Volkswagen. It is just that Volkswagen's past popularity translates into it's present-day hoopla.

Contrastingly, Ford let the copyright slide on the GT-40. Now, they are producing a car that looks like the former Le Mans winner but they can't call it that or even refer to it by name. Oh, they can show a clip or a pic of the Le Mans winner scurrying under the checkered flag or being doused in Dom Perignon. But they can't utter "GT-40" unless they get permission.

I know there are those who say, "Yeah, but in such-and-such case, what difference does it make? Why does Volkswagen have to be so vigilant?"

Simple answer: The law does not allow selective overlooking. If a trademark or copyright is allowed to be used by someone -- anyone -- in the public domain, it must be allowed to be used by everyone in the public domain.

In all cases, an agreement must be filed. Because of the complexities of state laws and federal laws, a fee is usually charged -- even if it is something like $1 per year. And you can bet that the agreement is going to be reviewable and renewable at the copyright's owner's whim.

So, some air-cooled fans won't buy a water-cooled car of the same heritage because of this? Why should Volkswagen care? It's not they want anyone alienated from their products. Heck, there are people who wouldn't own a VW because of the Hitler connection, even though no Volkswagen was ever built when Hitler was alive.

The reason Volkswagen is willing to have a few people with silly little grudges is because of the value of the copyright.

Imagine if every Volkswagen factory, every Volkswagen dealership, every Volkswagen period were somehow wiped from the face of the planet. The Volkswagen name, logos, copyrights, etc. would still be worth incredible millions.

That's what's worth defending.

And every company does it.