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Epix vs Epic, Specialized Does the Right Thing

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Epix Logo specialized Cease and desist

It seems that a little over 24 hours since Cafe Roubaix posted the personal visit and apology from Mike Sinyard himself, a new company has come forward with a similar tale. Apparently, on December 4th, 2013, just a few days before Cafe Roubaix’s ordeal went public, Epix Gear received a cease and desist letter of their own with Specialized’ lawyers claiming the Epix logo is “nearly identical to Specialized’ well known Epic mark” and is likely to cause confusion between the brands. Epix gear, a maker of custom cycling and triathlon apparel, was requested to stop all use of the Epix logo and abandon their trademark applications and to comply by December 10th. The letter does include a possible provision for gradually phasing out the use of Epix in favor of another logo if the company complies with Specialized’ demands.

Specialized just posted a note from Mike Sinyard on their Facebook page, which included this bit about the Epix Letter:

I heard you and you can rest assured I took it to heart. I realize now that we went too far with this aggressive approach and as a result and in some cases we hurt the local bikes shops and small businesses we wanted to protect. As a result we’re going to take a much closer look at all pending and future intellectual property and trademark issues, making sure to only pursue those that present a clear and obvious danger. The letter on Epix Gear was issued before the Café Roubaix story broke and has since been pulled.

So it looks like Epix is in the clear.

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Keith
Keith
10 years ago

Calling a ride epic will be next

jeff
jeff
10 years ago

Still not buying anything from Specialized…

Eyal
Eyal
10 years ago

Specialized is playing a very dangerous game! Sinyard says one thing, but his company is doing something else. Just heard that the lawyers aren’t on the same page, Epix is not in the clear.

filibuster cash
filibuster cash
10 years ago

I truly hope Sinyard and his company go bankrupt. Their tactics have gone on too long, and if they keep succeeding (even if only in winning a dollar), Trek and Giant won’t be all that far behind. Boycott.

Pynchonite
10 years ago

@filibuster cash
The problem isn’t this or that tactic, but the system that allows a company to buy a word. Specialized and Trek and Giant and etc., are just doing what’s rational in a society that encourages corporations to act like predators.

Kevin
Kevin
10 years ago

Now I have backed off Spec. The original story was about Cafe Roubaix the bike cafe, the press did not say it was about Cafe Roubaix wheels. Spec are the owner of the trade mark for Roubaix bike parts. Why would they not want protect the brand. What of the US was flooded with knock off parts with the spec brand on them. I bet you do something about it if was product.

Tom
Tom
10 years ago

Kevin, Spesh don’t own the TM on ‘Roubaix’, ASI does. Spesh license it from them so it isn’t their TM to protect.

Let that be a lesson kids. If you are going to wave your willy in public, make sure it’s your willy that you are waving!

zombieweekly
zombieweekly
10 years ago

Yeah, tell that to the Volagi guys…bit late eh

Jason
Jason
10 years ago

@Kevin, take some time to read more of the articles on the topic. Specialized does not own the rights to Robaix (sp).

Bob
Bob
10 years ago

I have no problem differentiating “Epix” from “Epic” or “Cafe Roubaix” from “Roubaix”. If you say, read the word(s), it is different. Seems clear enough to me.

Couple years ago we had this guy come with a clear knock off Cervelo for a repair. Poor guy loved his bike.

mario
mario
10 years ago

@Tom “Let that be a lesson kids. If you are going to wave your willy in public, make sure it’s your willy that you are waving!”

HAHAHA Epic

beej
beej
10 years ago

yeah attack giant and trek too, who needs bikes that aren’t high end road or mountain?

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