If you stand in an upright position, you will see over the garbage.

We're sure that Debbie is on here again, publicly complaining, because she recently had posts deleted for trademark infringement on her blog. As she had stated in a message to us: "Nobody is using Thread Bears any more and it's all yours." However, she has had items removed for infringement--not used by mistake--because she already knows that this is a registered trademark. She has claimed that we do business "unethically," yet she continues to give misinformation at our place of business.

Debbie, you can't speak on our behalf because you were not involved in the beginning.  You don't know how long we were permitted to use "thread bears" before we had legally acquired it. Unlike some who use it by "mistake"--we didn't make excuses or try to defend ourselves, or even try to publicly slander the owners when it was brought to our attention. Since we do business in an upright manner, we fixed our mistake in the legal, ethical way. We went to the source with good intentions.

Debbie, you have not only used it for years without our permission, but you have also encouraged others to use it--along with the encouragement from Bobbie and Berta. You and your friends promote abuse, then when products are removed for infringement, you drum up anger against us for policing it. And it's really odd that Bobbie and Berta encourage others to use it, then turn them in to the US Patent and Trademark Office as needing to be policed. Hmm... This info ofthem turning in "unpoliced" can be verified with the following link, beginning on page #240: http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91192706&pty=OPP&eno=47.

Most people who are notified of the infringement are given an opportunity to change it. This policing situation is extremely exaggerated. People are always able to re-sell an item in compliance--unless they simply refuse to stop using the trademark--such as our worst violator.

Now, Debbie, just because we try to protect what is legally and rightfully ours--it doesn't mean that we don't have forgiveness... though I'm sure it exceeds "seventy times seven times." And we still continue to forgive.  As you can see, we follow Trademark Law and don't knowingly use other's trademarks. Since we do upright business, this shows that we try to live our lives in ways that would be most pleasing to our Lord.

From Private to Public

Why was this posted in private, and not in public, if it was sincere?

From: Deborah (Debbie/DeBBitty)

Full-Sized Text:

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  "I really did start commenting on your blog for the reasons stated in my first message here and in my first commment. I just want it resolved, not for me, but for my friends who are hurting. I have no plans to comment any more. I hope when the final decisions on Thread Teds comes down everyone can just let it go.
  I do understand that having to make a disclaimer in an unregistered trademark does not, in any way, invalidate your trademark. I just don't know what that means and I just don't want anyone to get in trouble for accidentally using that term. I know you don't trust me and that it goes both ways..but I keep wondering why two Christians can't just try to resolve something without all the contention.
  I know you don't believe this, but Berta is a very nice person. I have met her in person twice. She is a very good business woman as well . I know you feel that she copied you. And after that many more "copiers" came. I don't know how it could have been prevented when you were making something so cute out of a craft so common. If not her, someone else would have done it. But this is her livelihood now as well as yours and it is hard to operate in constant fear of litigation.
  

  
  

  If there is anything else I can do to facilitate some kind of resolution...I WANT to do it. I do not have hard feelings towards you. I just want to help my friends. If it will help I will remove my blog."