The Faction Collective, a ski manufacturer based in Switzerland, displayed new graphics on its big-mountain powder skis this week at the SnowSports Industry America trade show. When the skis are placed side by side, the tips depict the painted face of the Kiss front man Gene Simmons. Unfortunately, Gene Simmons turned up at the show, which was particularly problematic because
Faction Collective had not received permission to use the trademarked image on its skis.
...Last year, one of the company’s founders, Tony McWilliam, tried to get a license to use the image but got no response. Even so, the company manufactured sample skis with the image to display at the trade show.
When Simmons appeared at the show, Ross Janzen, who was manning the company’s stall, offered to give him the skis. Instead, Simmons gave Janzen his lawyer’s contact information. For now,
Faction is playing it safe, and trying to license the image. If that fails, it will not sell the ski with that graphic.
Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/sports/othersports/31ski.html?_r=1&ref=sports