World of Guzzi shuts down
After threats of legal action, its administrators have shut down a German-language enthusiast's forumLawyers acting on behalf of the Piaggio group, owners of Moto Guzzi, have contacted the administrators of the German ‘World of Guzzi’ on-line enthusiasts’ forum and indicated that unless the name was changed, legal action would be initiated for breach of copyright.
Taking the threat seriously, the four administrators shut down the popular site, posting a message which said, “To all of you - the many World of Guzzi Moto Guzzi friends, we wish you a beautiful and prosperous future.”
In 2007, World of Guzzi members organised a collection and threw a Christmas party for Guzzi employees, who were laid off by their employer at the time. The event was the brainchild of Paul Denzer, who dies two years later.
Despite this show of loyalty, Piaggio lawyers insist that the site, established in 1996, should cease using the Moto Guzzi brand name.
There is some conjecture that this move has been prompted to avoid confusion with the Guzzi World gathering at the factory in September. Guzzi World is a factory-supported virtual club that draws thousands of enthusiasts to the northern Italian town of Mandello del Lario.
Another suggestion is that Moto Guzzi’s museum, which catalogues the company’s 90-year history, is to be revamped, expanded – and renamed “World of Guzzi”.
Piaggio’s move isn’t unique – in the past, lawyers representing both Harley Davidson and BMW have taken similar steps.
?Thus far, other Moto Guzzi-specific forums, such as GuzziTech, WildGuzzi and Guzzi Exchange here in Australia, have not received similar notification.
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