Edward
Bartender
- Messages
- 25,078
- Location
- London, UK
Drifter hasn't been seen in these parts for a long time. I think the last time he was around there was a fairly frank exchange of views between him and some on the forum over some issues - if memory serves, this included debate over an AL-made jacket Drifter had on eBay under his original "Aero Leather Alexander Leather" listing approach. Someone on there also tried to poo-poo the notion that Ken drew up the design for the Bootlegger, and that it was Ken's contact, not Will's, which led to the film involvement (in response to Drifter's implication in he ad that the buyer would be buying a jacket from the people who designed and made the one in the film). The thread might still be around somewhere.
These days, Drifter doesn't mention Aero in his sales. I presume either the lawyers or eBay got to him.... Any question of trade mark infringement completely aide, it's against eBay's own rules to use a brand name not belonging to the product you're selling in your auction details. Same for both a dealer selling new jackets, and anyone selling a second hand jacket as "AL not Aero" or "Eastman not Aero Buzz Rickson Real McCoy's". I recently saw "AL made by ex-Aero staff", which is also a nono as the issue here is not passing off an non-Aero as an Aero, but using the Aero mark to pull in more views.
Not officially, though I suspect that there have been a number of posts made unofficially by employees of AL, or on their behalf by friends of the company. As to making a statement about the Lauder conviction and sentencing, I can't imagine them coming in here to make it. If they do make another statement, their website will be the place to make it. They'd be well advised not to make another statement like the recent "Aero are telling people not to order from us" claim. To be honest, I'm surprised their legal team didn't nix that from the off (I should imagine the legal team didn't see it until after the fact), but the company have done similar before. The original "about us" when it first launched was a screed about Will, including a statement to the effect that all sorts of allegations had been made that were defamatory, and he would clear his name. Somebody had the good sense to nix that one too, though again it should never have gone up. But hey ho. Either we'll see a statement early this incoming week to the effect that the company had an employee who was very naughty in previous employment, that they are shocked and horrified, and that they don't condone.... want to move on.... et cetera.... or they'll decide that this isn't well-enough known in their potential market, and just get on with trying to build up the company. What we're more likely to see soon is, I think, a publicity drive for the rebranding as "Simmonds Bilt"... At least, I can't see why they'd go to the effort of officially changing the name and then never trade under that name. Also possible that Simmonds Bilt could focus on producing jackets for other brands rather than direct sales - like the Nigel Cabourn stuff and Iron Heart. AL doesn't seem to have set the world alight exactly by producing jackets under their own label, so perhaps producing for other labels might work better for them. [huh]
These days, Drifter doesn't mention Aero in his sales. I presume either the lawyers or eBay got to him.... Any question of trade mark infringement completely aide, it's against eBay's own rules to use a brand name not belonging to the product you're selling in your auction details. Same for both a dealer selling new jackets, and anyone selling a second hand jacket as "AL not Aero" or "Eastman not Aero Buzz Rickson Real McCoy's". I recently saw "AL made by ex-Aero staff", which is also a nono as the issue here is not passing off an non-Aero as an Aero, but using the Aero mark to pull in more views.
Not officially, though I suspect that there have been a number of posts made unofficially by employees of AL, or on their behalf by friends of the company. As to making a statement about the Lauder conviction and sentencing, I can't imagine them coming in here to make it. If they do make another statement, their website will be the place to make it. They'd be well advised not to make another statement like the recent "Aero are telling people not to order from us" claim. To be honest, I'm surprised their legal team didn't nix that from the off (I should imagine the legal team didn't see it until after the fact), but the company have done similar before. The original "about us" when it first launched was a screed about Will, including a statement to the effect that all sorts of allegations had been made that were defamatory, and he would clear his name. Somebody had the good sense to nix that one too, though again it should never have gone up. But hey ho. Either we'll see a statement early this incoming week to the effect that the company had an employee who was very naughty in previous employment, that they are shocked and horrified, and that they don't condone.... want to move on.... et cetera.... or they'll decide that this isn't well-enough known in their potential market, and just get on with trying to build up the company. What we're more likely to see soon is, I think, a publicity drive for the rebranding as "Simmonds Bilt"... At least, I can't see why they'd go to the effort of officially changing the name and then never trade under that name. Also possible that Simmonds Bilt could focus on producing jackets for other brands rather than direct sales - like the Nigel Cabourn stuff and Iron Heart. AL doesn't seem to have set the world alight exactly by producing jackets under their own label, so perhaps producing for other labels might work better for them. [huh]
Last edited:
