4runner Copyright/Legality Question

I

Iron_Will

New member
I have been wondering something about aftermarket modification.

Let's say I buy my 4 runner TRD PRO outright and its mine now. I make some unique mods to it that I feel I'll need for the life of the truck.

Can I, at that point, add a black emblem (that matches the lettering) on the sides and back saying...

TRD PRO
BEAST MODE

Is that legal or does it break some kind of Toyota copyright?
 
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it’s yours. Change it as you feel :-)

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If you build a brand new 4runner from scratch and then sell it as toyota 4runner TRD beast mode etc then that will be violating copyright.
 
in canada, the consumer protection act prevents businesses from selling falsely badged vehicles. part III unfair practices is the correct section I believe. I'm sure something similar exists for USA. this protects buyers from say a BMW dealer putting an M logo on every vehicle and up charging. that is illegal

however, the consumer protection act does not affect private sales. there really isn't much buyer protection if you were to go ahead and sell your TRD BEAST MODE vehicle to someone and falsely claim that trim level provides enhancements that are not not true (like a v12 engine)

If you succeeded in the paragraph above, someone would have to take you to court to get their money back. car companies aren't going to come after you if you have altered the badging. it's not up to them or in their power to control what the buyers of their vehicles do to modify them
 
Humble Leader said:
in canada, the consumer protection act prevents businesses from selling falsely badged vehicles. part III unfair practices is the correct section I believe. I'm sure something similar exists for USA. this protects buyers from say a BMW dealer putting an M logo on every vehicle and up charging. that is illegal

however, the consumer protection act does not affect private sales. there really isn't much buyer protection if you were to go ahead and sell your TRD BEAST MODE vehicle to someone and falsely claim that trim level provides enhancements that are not not true (like a v12 engine)

If you succeeded in the paragraph above, someone would have to take you to court to get their money back. car companies aren't going to come after you if you have altered the badging. it's not up to them or in their power to control what the buyers of their vehicles do to modify them
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Oh I didn't plan on claiming anything...I just didn't want to get reported by someone working for Toyota who saw it on the interstate and took a picture and I get a threatening letter from Toyota, saying that they do not have a Beastmode Model of the 4runner and threaten legal action for false representation or something :)
 
Iron_Will said:
Oh I didn't plan on claiming anything...I just didn't want to get reported by someone working for Toyota who saw it on the interstate and took a picture and I get a threatening letter from Toyota, saying that they do not have a Beastmode Model of the 4runner and threaten legal action for false representation or something :)
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haha don't worry about that. there is pretty much zero chance that will happen. for that to happen someone needs your plate. In order for toyota to actually send you a letter they need your information. the DMV has something called Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) that limits who can access your personal information.

to put your mind at ease, toyota needs to 1.capture your plate, 2. go to the DMV in your state and request your information at which point hopefully they will be denied so 3. they go to the police, open an investigation and get police power to access your information. 4. dedicate legal resources to actually writing you a letter and 5. actually appoint someone (likely a third party law firm in your area) to go to court or deal with you to settle the matter

all for what? to remove your personalized logo? I doubt they can claim damages unless they can prove you profited from using their logo without rights or somehow your custom logo caused financial loss. unlikely.

so go beastmode on your rig and don't worry about it
 
Ryance39 said:
I'm curious what these modifications might be... do tell...
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I haven't done it yet, because life is too uncertain (look what happened with COVID), but thinking about putting in a magnuson supercharger, built in pull out shower enclosed curtain system, flip down 24" monitor w/ laptop, bed platform with pull out drawer system, side accessory panels for roof rack, front winch, back bumper with left/right swingouts holding drinking water fuel and propane tanks, with rear bumper of course. Front bumper and winch. 33" tires with lift, shock, spring upgrades. I'll look into lighting add ons once I have all this accomplished (finances)

Right now I'm working on getting my body back into shape (gained 30lbs from the pandemic over 13 months), and I'm waiting on the '23 redesign before pulling the trigger on my purchase. But that's about what it will have in general. The BEAST MODE emblem was just a arbitrary example. I'm keeping the real model emblem secret till I have it finished and done. :tape:
 
Iron_Will said:
I'm keeping the real model emblem secret till I have it finished and done. :tape:
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If you need help designing of 3D printing lmk. As for copyright I dont think they are out to catch is small fry.
 

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Iron Will.. I read your other post about what you dream of doing to the 4R. If you have not purchased it yet You might want to look at the Tundra instead.
More HP, larger payload. Try going to the tundra forum and ask around.
 
Rack said:
Iron Will.. I read your other post about what you dream of doing to the 4R. If you have not purchased it yet You might want to look at the Tundra instead.
More HP, larger payload. Try going to the tundra forum and ask around.
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Question: How much larger do you think the payload is on a 4WD Tundra vs a 4Runner?
 
I remember a few years ago Toyota was doing a marketing thing where they would actually mail you custom emblems like that if you posted a pic of your truck on insta or something like that.
 
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