WMW, Gobi just won't quit

[ajonesnv]

Many may have noticed, I have been a supporter in WMW over this whole ordeal that's taken place with GobiRack / Intelligent Design 2000. Ive read all the posts; for, against, & indifferent and my stance has not changed. The fact there was a lawsuit to argue over is a horrible injustice to the patent system, business, and simply put...human decency.

When quite frankly, at least Ill believe this to be true, all that was necessary to make things right would have been a phone call. Instead attack full fledge with no warning, while attempting to deface Josh, however as a result they made them selves look like children. So WMW settles the suit, most likely costing him more money than he could have possibly raised in support, knowing he can't afford the fight.

But instead of stopping there they CLEARLY require him to take a pro gobi stance, you could see this clearly in his posts concerning it...this to me adds more insult to injury than I can imagine. I assume WMW would love to speak his mind on this, but if he does, guess what "law suit back on." This is how I interpret this article.

I hate to see one of our own beaten and then drug through the mud, so those that may not be in the know, here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/intelligent-design-2000-whitson-metalworks-113000860.html

Intelligent Design 2000 (ID2) and Whitson Metalworks today announced they have reached an amicable settlement in ID2’s lawsuit alleging intellectual property infringement. As part of the confidential resolution, Whitson Metalworks will modify the design of its current roof rack in a manner to avoid ID2 intellectual property.

“I met face-to-face with the owners of ID2 and I was impressed with their passion and their commitment to their customers,” said Josh Whitson, owner of Whitson Metalworks. “After consulting with my own experts in the area of intellectual property, I have made the decision to modify the design of my roof racks. I’d like to thank the owners of ID2 for being so willing to help find a resolution that works for both of us.”

GOBI USA builds durable, attractive, high-performance utility roof racks, ladders and accessories using state of the art materials and modern superior design concepts. The company uses only the highest-grade materials, and its products are engineered to the maximum capacity that a vehicle can handle.

“I am pleased that we were able to reach an agreement with Whitson Metalworks that protects our innovative designs, our company and our 30 employees,” said Paul Badillo, Vice President of Intelligent Design 2000. “As a small business owner who helped build the GOBI Racks brand literally from nothing, I admire Josh’s talent and entrepreneurial spirit, and I look forward to seeing future designs from Whitson Metalworks.”

 

[ajonesnv]

Mods, feel free to merge with [MENTION=76419]Doc2012[/MENTION] thread.

 

[KidVermicious]

Josh has repeatedly asked that we let this die. I'm all for bashing Gobi, but how about let's respect the wishes of the guy we're claiming to support?

 

[ajonesnv]

Josh has repeatedly asked that we let this die. I'm all for bashing Gobi, but how about let's respect the wishes of the guy we're claiming to support?

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that Josh has no choice in the matter but to stick to a few preapproved statements concerning this.

Now I don't know Josh, but I know how settlement deliberations go and the bottom line is bullies are going to bully. Sure, we can choose not to read the obvious truth between the lines, but I don't think that is right. I could be very wrong, but my inclination is as stated and think light should be shed on the subject for the people involved despite that it may be viewed as just kicking a dead horse.

FWIW

 

[gaterose]

I'm inclined to agree with ajones, I bet the statements and Josh's desire for the threads to die were probably required as part of whatever the agreement was.

I was impressed with their passion and their commitment to their customers.... I’d like to thank the owners of ID2 for being so willing to help find a resolution that works for both of us

I don't believe that Josh is brown nosing this hard because he truly appreciates Gobi shutting him down.

What Gobi wants is for all of this to go away and closing/deleting threads where it's being kept alive (and in the Google search results for their name) is hurting them. :toilet3:

Edit- And now the roof rack controversy thread is deleted again?!

 

[ajonesnv]

Looks like they deleted the thread questioning the first deletion of the Whitson/Gobi thread too.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Yep, Gobi wants this completely covered up. It's sad because right now it looks like they are going to get away with it. I'm sure someone has screen shot every page of that thread, but with the original thread deleted the real proof and search-ability for future members and potential Gobi customers is gone. I've been on this site for 8 years, and I've seen a lot of active members come and go. Seems like most people's interest only lasts 2-3 years. After that they don't seem to frequent this site as much. Gobi has tarnished their reputation in this community for a while, but as new members join and old members leave I'm afraid all this will be forgotten. Which is exactly what Gobi wants. I just hope they've pissed enough of us off that we can all help educate new members and sway as many people to shy away from purchasing their products as possible.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I appreciate the support, but this thread really is counterproductive and I'd appreciate it if you would remove it. Bottom line - after meeting with my own intellectual property experts, I have made the decision to change my design. I met with the owners of GOBI, and they were cool enough to work with me to find a solution that worked for both of us. They're a good company.

 

[jdurunner]

I let Gobi know again I will never buy one of their products and will continue to tell every off-road friend I know about their horrid business tactics and horribly overpriced racks (most expensive ones out there). They can hide it here, remove Facebook comments and hide it elsewhere online but they are one Colorado company I will never hold in high regard nor give any business to. This whole thing makes me so angry.

 

[wkeryder4]

I'm assuming any thread that discusses this particular case will be flagged for deletion by either Gobi or WMW. This is completely reasonable and we should respect both parties in the case. With that being said, there should be no reason to flag or delete any thread that discusses any issues or lack thereof with either business. I had voiced my personal experience with Gobi in the initial thread which I see has now been deleted and I don't think that is something that should be removed considering it had nothing to do with this case. It was in the thread so there's nothing that can be done about that but I can't think of any reason a thread discussing/reviewing either business should be deleted.

 

[ajonesnv]

Well, now I'm sure that Gobi is forcing WMW into posting in threads that discuss this topic. SMH Gobi, SMH!

Good to see T4R is on the side of information... :/

 

[wadle5]

I would second this. WM has to be forced into "asking" to delete evidence. Why would he do that now. The threads were closed and the forum was quiet? Now after the settlement "he" is "asking" to remove all threads of basic incriminating evidence against Paul and his company. Legal 101 people. Gobi is watching the forum and doing a PR smear campagin, and now still they are tryng to get this public community to dispose of any evidence of this occurring. All evidence of WM has been deleted on the web . . no website or Facebook. Nothing. If a true design change was in effect why would he need/"want" to delete his only means of communication. I dont believe an "agreement" was reached. Moreso a threat. The company is disgraceful and the public should be able to view the public forum in its entirety.


If Gobi was a truly honest company why would they delete any discussion of evidence on here and Facebook and their website.

 

[jdurunner]

I would second this. WM has to be forced into "asking" to delete evidence. Why would he do that now. The threads were closed and the forum was quiet? Now after the settlement "he" is "asking" to remove all threads of basic incriminating evidence against Paul and his company. Legal 101 people. Gobi is watching the forum and doing a PR smear campagin, and now still they are tryng to get this public community to dispose of any evidence of this occurring. All evidence of WM has been deleted on the web . . no website or Facebook. Nothing. If a true design change was in effect why would he need/"want" to delete his only means of communication. I dont believe an "agreement" was reached. Moreso a threat. The company is disgraceful and the public should be able to view the public forum in its entirety.


If Gobi was a truly honest company why would they delete any discussion of evidence on here and Facebook and their website.

What we can do is continue to educate newer members when Gobi Racks is brought up as well as let other friends who off road know about it. If you are in a mixed member club, let your jeep friends know, expand it further from here. ID2000/Gobi has been lawsuit happy for several years and that alone is unattractive along with their pricing. Explain how a rack from South Africa made from more expensive aluminum could cost me less than one of theirs. Most expensive rack on the market and its "design" offers zero benefits over anyone else's to justify that cost. By Gobis logic every one of our bumper manufacturers should be suing one another and same with sliders too. Coke should be suing Pepsi while we are at it. It's pathetic and the only way they can remain a viable business is to remove the competition to force us to buy their stuff. I'm normally a quiet person on this forum but this issue has me seriously worked up.

 

[Drunner97]

Here's my take on it.

This is a public forum, right?

Freedom of speech still exists, right?

There aren't any rules against discussing whatever we want... right?

I'm all for closing threads that no longer have a purpose (such as the actual lawsuit threads), but this thread has a new purpose. It contains an actual news link concerning something that, should we want to discuss, we should be allowed to discuss without fear of it being shut down or disappearing.

 

[jicko]

I appreciate the support, but this thread really is counterproductive and I'd appreciate it if you would remove it. Bottom line - after meeting with my own intellectual property experts, I have made the decision to change my design. I met with the owners of GOBI, and they were cool enough to work with me to find a solution that worked for both of us. They're a good company.

Josh has repeatedly asked that we let this die. I'm all for bashing Gobi, but how about let's respect the wishes of the guy we're claiming to support?

Why can't we respect what Josh wanted?

But instead of stopping there they CLEARLY require him to take a pro gobi stance, you could see this clearly in his posts concerning it...this to me adds more insult to injury than I can imagine. I assume WMW would love to speak his mind on this, but if he does, guess what "law suit back on." This is how I interpret this article.

And stop spreading FUD, and witch hunt. None of what you said are "facts". Now, who "just won't quit"?

I hate to see one of our own beaten

No one is "beaten", no one "win", no one "lose". There may be some "mis-communications" along the way, but this is win-win situation for everyone, they met, and came to an agreement. Isn't that exactly what all you guys have been talking about? "Have a conversation, and everyone get back to work"....

 

[philskeeter]

I appreciate the support, but this thread really is counterproductive and I'd appreciate it if you would remove it. Bottom line - after meeting with my own intellectual property experts, I have made the decision to change my design. I met with the owners of GOBI, and they were cool enough to work with me to find a solution that worked for both of us. They're a good company.

How long until the new design is released? not trying to change the subject but I'm interested to see what it looks like.

 

[sn0wrunner]

[MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION], Whitson's post that can be seen in a few different threads now doesn't sound scripted to you at all? Everything at this point is speculation and you're entitled to your own interpretation of his post too. Just sounds a little too fishy to me... I'd guess that will be the last public statement we hear from WMW on this issue as part of the "agreement" that was reached.

 

[wadle5]

Why can't we respect what Josh wanted?


"Have a conversation, and everyone get back to work"....

Unfortunately its not him "Asking" notice how he hasn't responded to anyone else about the design and has a simple pre approved message is all that has been posted. That's why the threads should be active. The only witch hunt continuing is Gobi trying to "fix" this PR fail by using WMW to do the dirty work for them.

 

[jicko]

Unfortunately its not him "Asking"

I appreciate the support, but this thread really is counterproductive and I'd appreciate it if you would remove it.

Seems to be his wish.

notice how he hasn't responded to anyone else about the ,we design and has a simple pre approved message is all that has been posted. That's why the threads should be active.

I don't think, even tho we contributed to his fundme campaign, he has the obligations to come on there and answer every questions. I think we should let him get back to work to come up with the new and improved design!

[MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION], Whitson's post that can be seen in a few different threads now doesn't sound scripted to you at all? Everything at this point is speculation and you're entitled to your own interpretation of his post too. Just sounds a little too fishy to me... I'd guess that will be the last public statement we hear from WMW on this issue as part of the "agreement" that was reached.

It may be, but an agreement takes "both" sides to "agree" to make it an "agreement". So there is no "fishy'ness" as WMW would have to "intend" and also is one of the parties that put out that "public" statement.


I think we should stop this bickering, as [MENTION=21950]sn0wrunner[/MENTION] said, "Everything at this point is speculation", and as [MENTION=77764]Whitson Metalworks[/MENTION] said, "this thread really is counterproductive".

 

[having fun]

Sorry but I feel I have to speak up here.

Granted I feel for Josh and his family for having to deal with this situation. Granted others may have cohurst what should/have to be said from others mouths.

But all in all, I do believe Josh would prefer this subject to be ended. Bad enough he had to deal with a situation like this on his level, pick himself back up and move on.

It's hard enough to deal with a situation like he had to. And would probably like to forget and move on.

Josh, I have dealt with you through text and you have helped me when I built my own rack. You seem to me you have a good head on your shoulders and can over come this and prevail. Good luck, and hope to see your excellent work you do again!