I'd like to make a couple of internal announcements first and then update the trademark dispute as we have new info there.
Effective today, Diane "Zippy" Anderson will assume the duties of Director of Operations. In this role she will oversee and manage the teams and other aspects of the website. Diane has been fulfilling these duties for some time now and this will also allow her to appoint new team leaders to actively respond to the daily issues of the site and allow Diane to focus on the overall view.
Diane has been extremely active in supporting the PGR site operations since she became the first person to be "drafted" into a moderator position back around the summer of '06.. At the time, she was answering more questions and helping more members than most mods so we thought she should be officially involved.
We have established a new supplier for the PGR Store. This store in the only provider we have authorized to supply PGR Gear items. They are working with us to supply the backorder items from the previous vendor as priority. We will not add any items for sale until we have filled every existing order for that item. Shipping on back orders will start today. There are still a few items that are still in the production, but we expect to have most orders filled within the week. Orders with coins are the most delayed due to the manufacturing lead time and will still be several weeks out. Doo-rags are the other major item we are still holding for and we expect to be able to ship them the first week of August.
We received a response from the TTAB Board today on the Motion for Summary Judgment. As always, the documents are on the TTAB site, but will also be shared here for your own review. (You can find the attachment in the Letters From the President forum in the JUL09 post.) I'll summarize briefly to the best of my non legal ability, though I have discussed the rulings with the legal team.
The TTAB actually replied to more than just the Motions for Summary Judgment. Our Opposer had filed a Motion to Strike some of our exhibits and definitions. The Board has ruled in our favor, denying Opposer's Motion and allowing these exhibits as well as taking notice of our entered definition.
The TTAB also ruled that Opposer's initial filings regarding fraud do not meet the requirements and he is allowed fifteen days to amend his notice of opposition.
Finally, the TTAB has ruled on both Motions for Summary Judgment and denied both Motions. I'll explain a bit on the terms of a Motion for Summary Judgment. Any Motion for Summary Judgment is viewed from the position most favorable to the opponent. Our exhibits and testimony was considered in the most favorable view to our Opposer and his was viewed from the position most favorable to us. The ruling is to determine if there are any genuine issues of dispute, based on the view most favorable to the opposing party. In this phase, the TTAB Board will not judge the validity or value of the evidence, but determine if there is valid dispute. The ruling determines that neither filing proves an absence of issues.
With this ruling, the TTAB has given us an amended schedule for the proceedings. This schedule is included in the attached documents, with the next action being our Opposer (Plantiff's) Trial period ending on 20 SEP 09 and rebuttal concluding on 3 JAN 10. We will continue to disclose new information and findings as it becomes available.
On a positive note, Gathering of the Guard 09 will begin in just over a week at Ogden, Utah. I'd like to express thanks the the membership who have volunteered to host their PGR brothers and sisters in this event. It is always great to meet and visit with PGR members from across the country and share in their experiences and accomplishments. I think we are looking forward to a new experience from the efforts and planning for the event this year.
I know that I speak for all of the Board of Directors when I say that I hope you are able to attend the event and we look forward to meeting you all. Please take a moment to say hello and allow us to express our thanks and awareness for what you have accomplished for our heroes and their families. I have been fortunate in being able to attend every GOTG to date and I've always found it to be a great experience.
Ride safe and thanks again.... Whirlwind......