The other day I posted a reply to the 'Lawsuit Update' and as a result, my post was taken down by the 'Administrator' and I was unable to log on to this site. I do not agree with the lawsuit and feel it is a waste of money for conservation organizations to spend precious funds on lawyers over terms that are now synonymous with sheep hunting. I also know that not all others will agree with me. I was amazed that this forum could not be a place to have this discussion with the sheep hunting community. Is this not the perfect place to have this debate?

Matty,
You are entitiled to your own opinion. However, this forum belongs to the administrator (he makes the rules). I am a member of both organizations, but I think FNAWS was/is dead wrong on this issue. FNAWS overstepped its boundaries, and the courts have agreed. I believe BOTH organizations are excellent, and will continue to support each of them. Perhaps you should actually look at both sides of the argument (actually debate the issue), and then base your argument from there. Heck, maybe you should join both FNAWS and GSCO. At any rate, best of luck to you.

1/2 Slam,

Thank you for your reply. This thread was not just about who is right and who is wrong but more about having the debate in the first place. I am here to learn and look at both sides of the argument. I'm listening, tell me your side. It is a start that this thread was not simply removed.

Hello Matty,

We certainly encourage debate about the issues that are important to sheep hunters and outfitters. Your first post however, was negative and vulgar and we do not allow those types of postings on this message board. That general rule applies to our magazines as well - you will not find negative or offensive stories or messages in there either. I noticed that you are not a member of GSCO. We would be happy to have you join our organization. As a member, we would be happy to send you all of the information about the lawsuit that is going on between us and FNAWS/ISHA, including the original complaint. This is the only way that you can properly arm yourself with the information you need to debate these matters. Send an email to gsco@wildsheep.org and we will rush membership information to you. We look forward to seeing where this debate goes.

GSCO

Let's say you're a computer programmer, and have created a unique system. Along comes a large corporation that takes your system and uses it as their own. You ask this corporation to please stop profiting from your work, but they simply refuse to budge on the issue. What would be your options? See where I'm going?

Matty

Your frustration is shared by many but please don't just stand on the sidelines. Get involved. I'm an attorney so you now know my reputation in the community. I have been very active with FNAWS in the past. I was on the Alaska Chapter Board. I was a founding member of the Washington Chapter of FNAWS. I started the Oregon Chapter of FNAWS and have the receipts, phone records and materials to prove it. Despite having to fight with government agencies for clients, with all the adrenalin roller-coasters, stress and uncertainties, I do my best to keep stress out of my personal life. The general and highly negative FNAWS attitude and approach over the name issue .... and it is about proprietary rights that FNAWS has no right to ... stresses me out so much that I literally can not open up and read the Wild Sheep magazine or any other FNAWS materials.
GSC/Ovis is right in protecting its identity and the incidentals of the organization. If the Board had not acted as it did, the GSC/Ovis members would have been right to kick them off the Board.
Think in terms of being an outfitter. What if someone set up a new outfitting business 50 miles down the road from you and used the same name as your outfit. Would you try to stop that person from usurping and using what you have put your blood, sweat and tears into? Interestingly enough I have heard Canadian outfitters side with FNAWS while complaining about the name dispute but I know full well that they would be kicking, screaming and suing all over the place if anyone tried to take their name.
The bottom line to me has been that GSC/Ovis has always treated me with respect while FNAWS National has done just the opposite.
Please consider coming to Las Vegas in February. You will find that a positive attitude prevails. There is no sanctioned pissing, moaning and groaning. GSC/Ovis is about moving forward for the wild sheep and goats of the world.

Right on, some dialogue. I'll skip the membership for now Admin but maybe you guys can give me the Coles notes version. I don't subscribe to Wild Sheep or Grand Slam and correct me if I'm wrong but basically: GSCO is suing FNAWS (I'll leave out ISHA from now on as from what I understand they have merged) for using 'Slam' in it publications/promotions. GSCO gave FNAWS plenty of 'outs' to no avail and the courts are more than likely going to recognize FNAWS' actions as trademark infringement.