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Re: Delaware North...sigh

Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:09 pm
by sparky
If they are indeed right, and shown to own the names, I really hope the NPS tells them to "F-off". I would rather see the names change than someone pay DNC 51 million for use of the names.

It is just a matter of principle.

I am sure the NPS could find more competence in camp 4 than what they get with the DNC

Re: Delaware North...sigh

Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:13 am
by LMBSGV
The SF Chronicle front page story prompted the following letters:

Letters to the editor, Jan. 3

The outrageous assertion by Delaware North to claim ownership of Yosemite’s place names (“Famous Yosemite names in dispute,” Jan. 2) appears to be nothing less than an act of corporate extortion, as well as a slap in the face to a public trust. Clearly, the company does not have the spirit of this revered national resource at heart.

Harvey Helfand, Albany

A bad steward

Delaware North’s outrageous claim of owning the names Yosemite Lodge and Ahwahnee reflects its approach to managing the resources of Yosemite. Since they took over the concession, we have seen quality of lodging, food and service deteriorate as prices have risen. It views Yosemite as a corporate cash cow and now wants to milk the National Park Service (and all of us citizens) in their attempt to hold their contract.

John Becker, Belmont

Why stop there?

Praises to Delaware North for employing the disruption model applauded by so many contemporary hustlers. Does anyone really own names derived from Native Americans? Surely not the Ahwahneechee who lived in the valley for 4,000 years. They never secured a concession contract. I can’t wait for the day when a large Jumbotron screen hangs down over Half AT&T Dome and proclaims: “This Walmart inspirational moment brought you by Delaware North in conjunction with Bud Light.” Chief Tenaya would surely rejoice if he were here today.

Mark Allendorf, San Mateo

Re: Delaware North...sigh

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 11:08 am
by LMBSGV
From today's SF Chronicle editorial page:
Chroniclecartoon.jpg

Re: Delaware North...sigh

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:01 am
by LMBSGV
Carl Nolte's Native Son column today:

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nativeson ... 007165.php

Re: Delaware North...sigh

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 11:19 am
by rlown
In related news, the greed spreads beyond California. Other concessionaires are moving that way as well (full story here): http://news.yahoo.com/whats-name-grand- ... 59143.html
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — To those who know and love the Grand Canyon, the names of its historic lodges are synonymous with the national park itself.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar — all bring to mind a place coveted worldwide for its sweeping views, river rapids and history told though layers of geology.

But the fate of those names is up for debate after a longtime Grand Canyon concessionaire applied to trademark them.

Approval of its bid would mean Xanterra Parks & Resorts could charge future concessionaires to use roughly 20 names of the park's most popular properties. It also could walk away with those names, leaving the iconic lodges and other facilities to adopt a new identity.

The National Park Service is weighing how to respond with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on the matter, which a spokesman described as relatively uncharted ground.

Park Service spokesman Jeff Olson said he's aware of only two other national parks where companies have registered for trademarks for names, Yosemite in California and Hot Springs in Arkansas.

"This is a new issue for us," Olson wrote in an email.

Xanterra applied for the trademarks just before its contract to manage South Rim hotels, restaurants and mule rides expired at the end of December. The company later won a temporary contract and can bid on a new one expected sometime this year.