Zen noh Tractor

[DavesTractor]

Let me shed a little more light on this. Just the facts, not opinions as to trademark issues, customs rules, etc.

1. The ZEN-NOH trademark is owned by Wallace Int. Trading Co., Inc.
2. The company is in Anderson, California, and is the headquarters for a dealer association for tractor importers. They incorporated in 1984.
3. They purchased the trademark and recorded it with US Customs to protect the unauthorized import of used tractors labeled ZEN-NOH.
4. Enforcement of the trademark was begun in January of 2004.
5. Details or information may be obtained by writing to Wallace Int. Trading Co., Inc. at 21909 Tranquil Lane, Anderson, CA 96007, or by email to wallaceit@aol.com, or by calling Mike himself directly at 1-800-824-3399.
6. Licensing to use the trademark is available in some states.

I hope you find this helpful.

 

[htiek126]

The only opinion expressed was that it is outrageous that one can stop the importation of some foreign company's USED equipment on the open market by buying the same trademark... This was originally brought to my attention by a Japanese exporter.

As far as sheding light, I could understand the above statement to be incorrect if that ZEN-NOH trademark import restriction did not apply to the used Japanese ZEN-NOH coop products found in Japan. As per The Wallace International Trading Company Website, here

"Both the Kubota and Yanmar Corporations built tractors in Japan bearing this name. The tractors are identical to the models that these corporations built for the Japan domestic market. The ZEN-NOH decals were affixed to the hoods of tractors that were sold to the ZEN-NOH association as a courtesy and as a marketing tool for the rice growers in Japan. To our knowledge there are no differences between the ZEN-NOH models and Japanese domestics models – only the decal and a “Z” in front of the model number. For example a Kubota L1501DT would become a ZL1501DT.

Any company with a desire to import used, ZEN-NOH tractors should contact Wallace International Trading Co., and apply for a license. Parties attempting to import ZEN-NOH without a license risk seizure of the tractors by U.S. Customs at the port of entry."

As per the information presented to me by Customs, we could not decipher a difference between the Japanese ZEN-NOH label and the ZEN-NOH trademark in the USA. As per, here, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office the Trademark is the same.

My opinion is based on the facts presented to me by US Customs, the US Patent and Trademark Office website, and the Wallace International Trading Company website.

 

[Tractors4u]

Wallace states that the Kubota injunction or whatever you call it is against free trade. It seems to me that copywriting Zen Noh to prohibit anyone who doesn't hold a Wallace license flies in the face of free trade. He is brilliant, I'll give him that. But because of the way the ITC settled Kubota's deal and Wallace copywriting Zen Noh, all a fellow has to do to get grey market Kubotas in this country is to have his exporter in Japan relabel the tractors before they are shipped. FOr example, the Pepper PL1501. That would do it right? As long as it doesn't have Kubota or Zen Noh on it is OK?

 

[DavesTractor]

htiek126,

Just in case I offended you, let me clarify that in no way did I mean to slight or offend you when I stated in my last post "Just the facts, not opinions....", etc. That wasn't pointed at you, instead it was a disclaimer that I was just stating the facts as I know them, without giving my opinion on what may be fair or not fair, true or false, etc.

This whole trademark issue is goofy. In my mind there are unresolved issues, some of which have been mentioned above. Even so, you can't fault Wallace for doing what he has done. Many wish they had thought of it, yet are annoyed that someone did and acted on it.

Time will tell how this all unfolds.

 

[DavesTractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( the Pepper PL1501 )</font>

That has a nice ring to it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[htiek126]

No offense taken...

I also give credit to Wallace for beating the system in the same manner that it sounds like Kubota has done. My outrageous comment is not directed at Wallace, it is directed at the system we are all working under. Last week, I suggested to my exporter that he start a new line of tractors for me with his own company name hood decals. I think the exporter thought I was "goofy."

 

[DavesTractor]

Keith,

I think we are on the same page on this issue.

 

[buppy69]

I meant to say my exporter wouldn't sell me Zen- Noh. I was the importer. This was in 2000.
Eugene

 

[1highhog]

The Zen Noh tractor is as reliable as any compact on the market, I have bought several. May I ask where you located one for that price? If it's from a dealer, I would like to buy one to, thanks /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif