Hooper taking legal action against American Lifan?

mrhyak · 05-15-2008, 11:30 PM

This was posted last week (I just saw it today) on Hooper's website. It states something about them taking legal action against either Lifan or American Lifan.

-----
May 5, 2008

To Our Valued Customers,

As you are aware there are untrue statements made on the internet
by our supplier concerning the quality, legitimacy and legality of the
products that Hooper Imports LLC sells. I assure you that the
merchandise that we sell is exactly what we claim it to be. We
honor our warranties and there are not any registration issues with
our products. The matter described in the February 13th letter has
been turned over to our legal staff. If you would like to reference
this original letter please click on this link

http://www.hooperimports.com/images/...ter_021308.pdf

It has always been our intention to sell quality motorcycles, engines
and parts while providing strong customer service. If you have any
questions or comments, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Larry Hooper

culcune · 05-16-2008, 10:20 AM

Good for Larry!! Fight the power!!!!

knothead · 05-16-2008, 06:23 PM

Good! I hope Hooper burns AL a (great, big, huge) new one, they deserve it after the crap they posted.

Penguini66 · 06-16-2008, 10:57 PM

I figured this issue would some day come to this. Wish good luck to Larry. Surprised it actually took this long.

FWIW, I think this is mainly Lifan's fault. Not Larry at HooperImports.com. If Lifan only wanted American Lifan to sell Lifans here, then they should only import to American Lifan. But obviously they chose to keep selling to Hooper.

almonpoole · 06-17-2008, 02:26 PM

He is just wasting his money and time unless it is about the principal or something. He is suing them over trademark violations but Larry is the one doing the violating, or at least he has used the Lifan name which he is not supposed to do, but what do I know, maybe he will win a billion dollar judgment and really show China Lifan how it is.

Anyway, good luck trying to collect on any judgment he may receive from the China Lifan, they are about as big as a small countries government. He better hope they do not counter sue.

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/cou...ase_id-176469/

daddy469 · 06-17-2008, 02:59 PM

Doesn't the issue just boil down to selling a motorcycle with a Lifan engine in it and calling the whole assembly a 'Lifan Motorcycle'? It is like selling a Cub Cadet tractor with a honda engine in it as Honda Tractor. I doubt AF would have issue as long as he didn't infringe on their name. W/E lawyer up!!!!!

kczukiman · 06-17-2008, 03:35 PM

I would think that they would have their ducks in a rowe befor fileing a Law suite.Pluse I'm sure theres a lot more to the story then what we know setting on the sidlines giving our opinions.

almonpoole · 06-17-2008, 06:15 PM

Each importer has their own brand name and when they use the Lifan name they are technically breaking the rules.

I'm not really on either side of the issue, but like I said, it seems a shame to waste money when the laws are stacked against you.

I just found out today my freakin Rabbit Scooters bike (GRX200-III) cannot be titled in my home state, I'm learning more all the time. Anyone need any parts?

katoranger · 06-17-2008, 06:43 PM

I am not going to take sides, but I bet you could part your bike out here pretty quick.

I will take the engine/carb/cdi/coil from you.

Allen

almonpoole · 06-17-2008, 11:55 PM

Shoot me a pm with your number and I will reply back or call in the next few days, I am in North Alabama so we are pretty close. You could even come and pick the stuff up.

Thanks,

Almon

katoranger · 06-18-2008, 10:37 AM

PM sent.

Allen

mrhyak · 06-18-2008, 11:29 AM

I think the issue is with the American Lifan group and not the parent company Lifan. AL has been trying to smear other companies that claim to sell Lifan's by saying they are not doing so legally, etc....

Larry is just stating that he has been selling Lifan bikes legally in the USA for more then 6 years and I don't think he appreciates AL trying to smear his good name/character by branding him as an illegal importer, or selling grey bikes/products.

maf119l · 07-07-2008, 10:08 PM

I dont understand him filing a lawsuit against AL when he is the one who violated their trademark rights.Guess he is thinking whoever files first will win?For those who have not seen it,check the home page for this site.www.chinariders.net It appears that he is questioning thier trademark

almonpoole · 07-08-2008, 02:28 AM

Yep he lost his cases and can no longer sell them I heard.

I could not figure out why he would pay to sue someone when he was doing the stealing?

I don't know, I have always thought of Larry as a good guy so maybe he will find another product line that he can sell.

ChiGongJitsu · 07-08-2008, 04:05 AM

so american lifan not only screws over bruce from ej cycles, but wants to put hooper out of business too...well, i'll never buy an american lifan now

05-15-2008, 11:30 PM	#1
mrhyak Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyak, WA Posts: 448	Hooper taking legal action against American Lifan? This was posted last week (I just saw it today) on Hooper's website. It states something about them taking legal action against either Lifan or American Lifan. ----- May 5, 2008 To Our Valued Customers, As you are aware there are untrue statements made on the internet by our supplier concerning the quality, legitimacy and legality of the products that Hooper Imports LLC sells. I assure you that the merchandise that we sell is exactly what we claim it to be. We honor our warranties and there are not any registration issues with our products. The matter described in the February 13th letter has been turned over to our legal staff. If you would like to reference this original letter please click on this link http://www.hooperimports.com/images/...ter_021308.pdf It has always been our intention to sell quality motorcycles, engines and parts while providing strong customer service. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. Sincerely, Larry Hooper __________________ 1985 Kawasaki Tecate-3 1997 Ural Sportsman 2WD 1980 Yamaha XS1100 2005 TANK Trail 200 2009 Lifan LY110GY-3 (2)
	0

05-16-2008, 10:20 AM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Good for Larry!! Fight the power!!!! __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
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06-16-2008, 10:57 PM	#4
Penguini66 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 164	I figured this issue would some day come to this. Wish good luck to Larry. Surprised it actually took this long. FWIW, I think this is mainly Lifan's fault. Not Larry at HooperImports.com. If Lifan only wanted American Lifan to sell Lifans here, then they should only import to American Lifan. But obviously they chose to keep selling to Hooper. __________________ 06 Lifan LF200GY-5
	0

06-17-2008, 03:35 PM	#7
kczukiman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Independence,Missouri Posts: 1,049	I would think that they would have their ducks in a rowe befor fileing a Law suite.Pluse I'm sure theres a lot more to the story then what we know setting on the sidlines giving our opinions. __________________ Kman 2007 HI-BIRD 250 2007 Vbike V4S 250
	0

06-17-2008, 06:43 PM	#9
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I am not going to take sides, but I bet you could part your bike out here pretty quick. I will take the engine/carb/cdi/coil from you. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

05-16-2008, 06:23 PM	#3
knothead Join Date: May 2007 Location: In the land of the busted up ricebowl Posts: 815	Good! I hope Hooper burns AL a (great, big, huge) new one, they deserve it after the crap they posted.
	0

06-17-2008, 02:26 PM	#5
almonpoole Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 110	He is just wasting his money and time unless it is about the principal or something. He is suing them over trademark violations but Larry is the one doing the violating, or at least he has used the Lifan name which he is not supposed to do, but what do I know, maybe he will win a billion dollar judgment and really show China Lifan how it is. Anyway, good luck trying to collect on any judgment he may receive from the China Lifan, they are about as big as a small countries government. He better hope they do not counter sue. http://dockets.justia.com/docket/cou...ase_id-176469/
	0

06-17-2008, 02:59 PM	#6
daddy469 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 293	Doesn't the issue just boil down to selling a motorcycle with a Lifan engine in it and calling the whole assembly a 'Lifan Motorcycle'? It is like selling a Cub Cadet tractor with a honda engine in it as Honda Tractor. I doubt AF would have issue as long as he didn't infringe on their name. W/E lawyer up!!!!!
	0

06-17-2008, 06:15 PM	#8
almonpoole Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 110	Each importer has their own brand name and when they use the Lifan name they are technically breaking the rules. I'm not really on either side of the issue, but like I said, it seems a shame to waste money when the laws are stacked against you. I just found out today my freakin Rabbit Scooters bike (GRX200-III) cannot be titled in my home state, I'm learning more all the time. Anyone need any parts?
	0

06-17-2008, 11:55 PM	#10
almonpoole Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 110	Shoot me a pm with your number and I will reply back or call in the next few days, I am in North Alabama so we are pretty close. You could even come and pick the stuff up. Thanks, Almon
	0

06-18-2008, 10:37 AM	#11
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	PM sent. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-18-2008, 11:29 AM	#12
mrhyak Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyak, WA Posts: 448	I think the issue is with the American Lifan group and not the parent company Lifan. AL has been trying to smear other companies that claim to sell Lifan's by saying they are not doing so legally, etc.... Larry is just stating that he has been selling Lifan bikes legally in the USA for more then 6 years and I don't think he appreciates AL trying to smear his good name/character by branding him as an illegal importer, or selling grey bikes/products. __________________ 1985 Kawasaki Tecate-3 1997 Ural Sportsman 2WD 1980 Yamaha XS1100 2005 TANK Trail 200 2009 Lifan LY110GY-3 (2)
	0

07-07-2008, 10:08 PM	#13
maf119l Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: perkinston,ms Posts: 296	I dont understand him filing a lawsuit against AL when he is the one who violated their trademark rights.Guess he is thinking whoever files first will win?For those who have not seen it,check the home page for this site.www.chinariders.net It appears that he is questioning thier trademark __________________ yamaha vstar 650,unknown chinese 4 wheeler,johnny pag 250 spyder,lifan gy-5
	0

07-08-2008, 02:28 AM	#14
almonpoole Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 110	Yep he lost his cases and can no longer sell them I heard. I could not figure out why he would pay to sue someone when he was doing the stealing? I don't know, I have always thought of Larry as a good guy so maybe he will find another product line that he can sell.
	0

07-08-2008, 04:05 AM	#15
ChiGongJitsu Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 315	so american lifan not only screws over bruce from ej cycles, but wants to put hooper out of business too...well, i'll never buy an american lifan now
	0