Interesting Reading about REAL Kiteboarding
 

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2343944

Flamers Paradise

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2343916

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2343930

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2343924

http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewt...asc&highlight=

Get real Real!

Gotta say I feel for Daryl and the crew at Extreme Kites. They have been nothing but good to me whenever I have needed gear, advice, or just friendship. This suit seems pretty petty and ridiculous so hopefully EK will not be affected other than gaining some new customers from people on the forums reading about them and how great a shop they are!!! Keep on truckin' good buddy, we are all behind you!!!

so who are the schools/shops/instructors getting sued. Extreme Kites?

Real Kiteboarding is suing Ocean Extreme Kites and Kitty Hawk Kites for using their supposedly trademarked terms "Zero to Hero", "Water Time" and "Ground Control".

This industry is so small that Real will probably regret filing these suits. I am sure kiteboarders will reconsider patronizing a shop that would pursue such frivolous lawsuits.

This has been going on for months.
I obviously kept a lid on it as I was asked to do.
But once it was leaked I spoke out.
I guess EK and other shops (by the way, there are others) are allowed to talk about this frivolous and childish lawsuit in their places of business (I visit on occasion) but are NOT allowed to respond on forums and in writing, while the lawsuit is under way. This is not a rumor, it's a real lawsuit. Because it is the real deal, don't expect to hear from those directly involved until the suit's resolution.

It's sad the levels that some shops and other businesses stoop to make a buck through backstabbing and other non-straight up means. If you can't provide better service and products, just sue and attempt to out last them with your trust funds? Lame.

I witnessed this kind of stuff on a regular basis while working for Daryl.
Most of it I never discussed, because people wouldn't believe me anyway, and what's the point, really. I loved working with Daryl, his wife and his crew, but I have to say, the politics (mainly of other shops) was disturbing to be around on a regular basis.

This particular fiasco is just one of many I have seen Real participate in.
The really dumb thing about this one is that the paper trail is going to be a matter of public record soon, not heresay, and it will shed plenty of light on Real and their true character.

BTW, I can understand trademarking "Zero to Hero". It's a very catchy name. It is associated with Real and a DVD they put out.
Even though they didn't come up with the term (not even close) it still makes sense to corner it.
Water time and ground control though? In addition, EK doesn't even give lessons. Nevertheless, they are being sued for using the term WATER TIME.
Lame.

I've gotta also mention that the guys up at Kitty Hawk Kites are SUPER cool and are, of course also being picked on. I'd recommend that shop to ANYONE!

These are stand-up shops we are talking about, not shops out to take or steal what is not theirs. Kiteboarding is a tough business to make a living in, I guess some people lose sight of what is really important (the riders) and start to just focus on money and politics. It really is sad to see in such a young sport but wasn't it inevitable that a bully would surface? A great example is Wal-Mart with one-stop shopping or Home Depot with hardware stores...

I guess it would just be nice to see REAL finally step back and realize that they too were once the "little guy" just trying to make a living and give the drama a rest already!!!

The thing with REAL is that as a company they are great thing for kiteboarding, REAL is monstrous they have a lot of money great marketing techniques and ideas. They sponsor huge video projects like AUTOFOCUS an Ten4, these help REAL gain such an impeccable reputation. If someone goes to Hatteras chances are they are definately stopping by real. They have their logos on their kites, so everytime someone buys a kite from them, they instantly have their logo flying at someone elses beach. They have huge marketing campaigns, every mag has a REAL ad. When i was in hatteras last summer i saw a lot of the REAL guys, most of them are great, ex. shawn, sammy, sleazy, but all the others gave me trouble, they acted like they own the water, some would cut me off and give me dirty looks on the beach. I have no idea why. The main problem with REAL is the owners. They definately act great for the mag interviews they get, and put on smiling faces for the customers. but the stuff they do to industry competitors is ridiculous. I know of more "wrong doings: then just suing these shops. I feel as if REAL is a great idea on paper, but in actuality it's bad to have agro guys like this running the shops...

Thanks for the heads up. If I got a kite from them and it had a REAL logo on it I'd promptly send it back and demand a refund.

It's my kite, not their billboard.

those are their demo kites, they put their logo's on all of their demo kites then sell them off at the end of the season

Guys, please see this about my new words and phrases that have been copywrited I'm sure if you guys want to use these we can come to an agreement like gentlemen:

Land Control, Beach Control, Time-on-the-Water, Ocean-Time, Sea-Time, Water Practice, Land Practice, Ground Practice:
The product is protected by Federal Copyright Law. [COMPANY NAME] retains the title to and ownership of the Product. You are licensed to use this Product on the following terms and conditions:

YOU MAY NOT: Distribute, rent, sub-license or otherwise make available to others the words or phrases or documentation or copies thereof, except as expressly permitted from The Danimal without prior written consent from The Danimal In the case of an authorized transfer, the transferee must agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this trademark of the words presented.

RESTRICTIONS: - You may use this words in your business as long as:
The user must be registered with The Danimal in order to receive support or rights.

You may not modify, de-compile, disassemble, reverse engineer or translate the words.

US GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS - Use, duplication or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to restrictions as set forth under DFARS 252.227-7013 or in FARS 52.227-19 - Restricted Rights.

TERM - You may terminate your use of the words at anytime by destroying all copies of the words and Documentation containing the words listed in the above agreement. They will also terminate automatically if you fail to comply with any term or condition in this Agreement.

OR I'll Sue

Too late, Real may have trademarked the word Sue!

Well just don't take my name for a new shop...STEAL KITEBOARDING...;)

Colonel Sanders is already on your as.s, isn't he, Toby?
KFC... geez... lol.

I went to college with his grand kid. It was awesome. Free KFC all the friggin' time. ;-)

They tried to sue Emerald Coast a year ago, but Rush's lawyers were too much for them to intimidate, so they backed down and not a word was heard since. Amazing how they are simply trying to scare shops into a corner for $10,000, and with some retaliation, they back down. Stupidity!!

May I ask, what the HELL was the basis of the lawsuit?
If you are free to expand a little.
Was it as lame as I have been told?
Water time and ground control.

I must say, this is about the dumbest thing I have heard of in terms of lawsuits.
I have seen the same or worse locally in terms of bully tactics though, which is sad in itself.
Kiting became a true dollar maker about 2 years ago and is now the apple of some people's eye.
That's cool. But, imo, we should award those who bring good spirit to our community and shun those that don't.

Business isn't just business. At least not for me. I will always give my dollar to the guys I like, not always to the guys that "win".

Yes, Scott, the attempted suit was for the use of the words: Water Time and Ground Control, as ECKB had those terms listed on their site for general info regarding lessons. What's even crazier is that ECKB carries Real's DVDs and sells a beginner trainer kite and "Zero to Hero" as a package. I asked Rush about this whole ordeal, and he simply said that Real tried to use scare tactics by sicking their lawyer on him. Too bad for Real, as his lawyers stood up and weren't going for it. So it seems as though is Real comes against some REAL friction, they're lawsuit isn't REALLY REAL!!!

Yeah it's obvious they are shaking people down who are afraid of lawyers. Emerald should have counter sued for legal fees.

Unfortunately, despite how ridiculous this who issue is, Real will continue to rake in the dough by teaching lessons, selling gear, and through other marketing and media. The whole blow up on KiteForum has really been a fun rant to read. It's amazing how when a little info gets out, how the kiting world responds. These attempts by Real are not new. Based on what happend to Emerald over a year ago and how they handled it so effectively and efficiently really makes me wonder how many other attempts have been made on other shops with a good law team. Meaning, how many others has Real had to back down from? The links on the other forum show the two shops that are fighting Real actively, other attempted suits wouldn't show up if Real had walked away...right?

yeah who knows!

I am guessing Real's business dropped quite a bit recently... but then again not everyone hangs out on the forum and knows whats going on.

Not everyone needs to be on the forum Tom. Word is spreading via phones and at local launches.
I would be surprised if most don't know about this by now.
Think how fast other stuff spreads in the kiting community.

I will be surprised if Real isn't hurt pretty bad by this, short term and long term.
Real is out in the middle of nowhere. Only someone thinking the place was awesome would go out there for lessons.
Well, they may be good, but who needs to drive all the way out there with no refund policy (unless store credit on overpriced gear counts) to learn to kite? Too many other great options these days, and in my eyes, that's what this ALL boils down to is them feeling the squeeze of losing business.
Someone give me a more rational reason.... I can't think of one.

In vain, they are trying to knock some shops out, to decrease competition.
Real's days of being "big dog" are over.

Add to that that so many have bad experiences (as opposed to excellent) with Real (as evidenced by lack of support on KF) and it's not hard to see they are losing ground. This stupid attempt at a lawsuit only sped up the pace they are losing ground.


Great marketing the last 5 years, poor business model and customer service. Marketing can only get you in the door, it doesn't seal the deal.
That's my take. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.
I don't really care if Real does well or not, I just get pissed when I hear they are trying to make others do poorly or bully them with lawyers over some exceptionally generic and lame terms. It shows who they are and what they are about.
Again, some on this forum say business is business. That's cool. I know who you are and still love hanging out with ya'. :)
I just feel business can be successful and good to those you service and compete with.

Yeah, I had to buy a kite from them once and I say “I had to” because I ordered a kite over the phone and then called them 5 minutes later to cancel the order. Real sent it anyway to my home address and when I try to return the kite they told me about the “No return policy” BS!!!

They did it once and they are not getting my $ ever again.

I have heard that story a lot.
EK (it's the only place I worked, I am sure other shops do the same) only charges your card on the day your order is shipped. If you cancelled, we just ripped up the receipt. I did order a couple pizzas and movies on Toby's card once after he cancelled a t-shirt order.. but that's HIS problem, not mine. :lol:

Hey, this is a joke. It's still SW at friggin' 8 knots :(

Real Sucks
 

Yeah Real Sucks, I called them up once about a surfboard. They didn't have them in stock so they took my number down and told me they would call once they got them in. When they did like a month later I told them I was not intrested anymore. Mainly because they wanted much more then other shops I called about the price. They called and emailed me for like 3 months asking if I wanted to buy it. Man I hate pushy sales people! Screw Real and there ugly logo!