License fees preserve history...

Licensing Income Supports Union Pacific History
OMAHA, NE -- Union Pacific's trademark licensing program protects the integrity of the names and trademarks owned by Union Pacific by controlling commercial use of those marks. As a result of growth in the program and in response to suggestions from model railroaders and railroad historical societies, Union Pacific will allocate income generated by the licensing program to support UP's Heritage programs, including the railroad's steam program, heritage passenger fleet and museum.
Union Pacific's commitment to preserve railroad history began in the 1920s when UP President Carl Gray called on employees and retirees to help create the Union Pacific Museum.
"President Gray’s foresight created the oldest corporate museum in the nation and laid the foundation for Union Pacific's longstanding commitment to preserving railroad heritage," said Bob Turner, senior vice president – Corporate Relations. "Union Pacific has moved far beyond the museum envisioned by President Gray. We now maintain the most prestigious operating steam program in the nation, an unsurpassed fleet of historic passenger cars, and six new heritage locomotives painted to honor legendary railroads." Union Pacific has licensed dozens of manufacturers to produce and distribute model railroad equipment items bearing the company's trademarks, including Union Pacific products that are available at retailers including Urban Outfitters, Wal-Mart and Target. - James Barnes, UP News Release

 

Sounds good at first blush, but I would like to see it in writing and what percentage will be given over to preservation. Of course any is better than none BUT how much and where is important too
John

 

It still bothers me that UP quickly painted the Heritage Fleet locos when it was apparrent they were about to lose the trademark case due to non use of trademarks. Then to add $5 to an nscale loco price was pretty low. However, if they finally have seen the light and send all funds to their history programs that's great. Wouldn't be a bad idea to put money towards things like Operation Lifesaver.

 

You know, not speaking about one partibular RR in general, but if they would all be willing to dip into profits for a couple years, there could be great advancements in safety both for the employees and the public. Think of what a couple hundred million to could do as far as dangerous grade crossings? Installing arms and lights or building a fly-over.

It is good to hear that some money will be going to the Steam program. I do applaud UP for keeping it going. I just want to know what you have to do or who you have to kill to get paid to drive a steam loco anymore...lol Anyone know what it takes to get into UP's team program by chance?

 

It is rather funny that they add a fee to any model painted in their scheme. One would think they would see that as free advertisement. This may be the wave of the future. Maybe if you have any brand name on your layout you will have to pay a fee (Exxon gas stations, Coke signs etc.)
John

 

We oughta be charging the corporations for advertising space on ours layouts...hehe

 

Ooooh now there is a thought. Sort of like Product Placement in movies. I like it
John

 

I can understand a companies desire to make sure thier names, trademarks, and symbols are used correctly. However, in the case of fallen flags, its history...we dont charge people licensing fees for the american flag do we? People get greading sometimes.

 

You're right Gabriel, it would be sort of like paying a fee to Ford every time you wanted to restore one of their vehicles!! Ooops, I just typed a brand name, better call their licensing department...
John

 

I too am glad that it's not going for executive bonuses, etc. But I too, would like to know exactly how much money is generate by this licensing program and if all, repeat all, of it goes to historic preservation.

U.P. could have avoided a lot of bad press and worse feelings if they had made this plain from the start. I am suspicious that this is an attempt (and a very belated one) to assuage some of the bad feelings this has generated for U.P.

Right now they have more traffic than they can handle, but the next down turn in the economy could see them competing fiercely with BNSF for each and every car load - wonder how many people disaffected by this whole "program" will have some say in the rail route chosen?

 

UP is of course not the only bunch doing this. Have a look at the thread in BNSF forum right now. Don't get me wrong, if someone was using my name for commercial gain I guess I would want a piece of the action BUT free advertisement is also a piece of the action. We have very nice baseball caps with our company logo on them. We GIVE these away to people because of the marketing value we see in them. Sort of traveling business cards. Now, a belated attempt is good and appears to be better than the BNSF but I remain skeptical about the real use of the money.
John

 

Nope. The big problem now is that the money-grubbers and lawyers are in competition to see just how much they can get away with - and yes I've read Henry IV, Falstaff, et al.

I do believe that too many officers of railroads came from other industries; banking, legal, accounting, you name it - and are not in the same league with Ralph Budd (CB&Q) who delayed his personal train to visit the CB&Q "In Miniature." Wonder if the thought occured to him, "look at the S.O.G., there's our 'Zephyr', our O-5's, our trains - and we (me) are not making a penny."

And worse, how about the President of the AT&SF giving Lionel Cowen $14,000.00 (these are 1950 dollars chillun', worth about 15 times that amount in todays dollars) of stock holders money to make certain that Lionel's F-3's were made in the "War Bonnett" scheme. Seems to me that NYC kicked in about $3,000.00 (again, 1950 dollars), for Cowen to do the NYC pin stripes.

Even D. W. Brosnan, supposedly the most hard nosed of railroad presidents of his day, didn't go after Irv Athearn when he came out with his SW-7 in Southern Railway colors.

Let's face it, today's railroad officers are just a sorry lot who would be as well if running a pie factory. Laughable if it didn't hurt the rail industry and those of us who love that industry.

 

When they give the license proceeds to their steam program, museum, etc...will that be "in addition to" or "in the place of" the corporate funds that go to those programs?

Let's say you give $5 each week to the orphans home. Then one lucky day you win a prize of $5 a week for life. Everyone thinks you are quite a fine fellow when you announce you will donate that $5 each week to the orphans home. But what you don't tell them is you are not going to donate the weekly $5 out of your own pocket anymore. The orphans home is still getting $5 a week...and you keep your $5 each week...so in effect, you are pocketing the prize money.