[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Saw this on a prominent mailing list. So hoping that the information is correct.

Ford: Car owners are pirates if they distribute pictures of their own cars - Boing Boing

I'm sorry, but at this point we will not be producing the 2008 BMC Calendar, featuring our 2007 Members of the Month, solely due to Ford Motor Company's claim that THEY own all rights to the photos YOU take of YOUR car. I hope to resolve this soon, and be able to provide the calendar and other BMC merchandise that you guys want and deserve! This thread will remain open for you to comment however you wish, and I'll update it as needed.

I was under the impression that only software corporates indulged in such non sense. But after recent suit between Bajaj and TVS and now this, I suspect that automobile industry is going to see more and more of this infringement on our rights.

Already, consumer activists in developed countries are complaining that auto cos are infringing on their (customers') rights to use, repair and modify their cars as they like. I am wondering where we are headed to after this.

[DirtyDan]

I presume that Ford gets a little nervous about how their product is presented to the public and that what they are really worried about is how a calendar company makes their vehicles look. Ford wants control. They may also want a few rupees. I doubt Ford is aiming this at private owners and their pictures. It's a commercial thing. Also, in North America it might be a "porn" thing especially with calendars of sexy girls draped all over sexy cars.

Having said that, with Ford sales down you would think that maybe they would be happy to have their pictures out there as much as possible.