Interesting stuff; you raise issues that I don’t think we’ve given much thought to.
The cease and desist letters a lot of the owners clubs etc. got were a clumsy (at best) way of protecting the trademark I guess. As I understand it, most just had the Norton logo on their home page although others were selling merchandise etc. Suspect TVS, without a real understanding of the Norton faithful, just hired a law firm to target anybody and everybody using anything related to Norton. Understandable - maybe, counterproductive - almost certainly.
Not sure you could say the (re-engineered) V4 side has gone quiet, they seem to be the only machines with any profile; Norton are at least taking expressions of interest on their website. No doubt they will be at the NEC again, where you would think there would have to be some solid announcements. Don’t really see the 961 being raised in profile (beyond the legacy bikes) unless I’ve missed something - hope I have!
No doubt Solihull are under pressure, both internal and from TVS. I’m guessing that failed targets/deadlines are going to occur though with the significant task of setting up for business - weren’t the uk locked down for months and months on end with covid, not to mention related logistical implications.
I know (less than) nothing about trademark licensing beyond the fact that monetising them can be very profitable. But can we really say that TVS are ‘not into making money from bikes’ - is’nt that their core business in India? They have spent a LOT of money setting up the facility in Solihull and brought in some significant personnel. Who knows what TVS’s (behind closed doors) long term plan is, but surely they aim to support Solihull in the endeavour of building Norton motorcycles? The more successful the marque the more profitable the TM?
Interesting stuff indeed!
