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Sturgis Sues Sturgis?
Posted March 26, 2008
The title is confusing but what is more confusing is how much damage will this suit do to the Sturgis Rally and Races? Well, that depends on which Sturgis Rally and Races we are talking about.
Most people know about the Sturgis Rally held every year in South Dakota. Started by the Jackpine Gypsies in 1938, it has become somewhat of a Mecca for motorcyclists; a sort of religious pilgrimage.
Enter Little Sturgis Rally, started in 1993 in Sturgis, Kentucky. Certainly drawing on the recognition and star power of the South Dakota event, Little Sturgis Rally has been growing over the years, raising over $2 million dollars for charity. Sturgis, Kentucky is a town of about 2,000 people, attracting about 20,000 people to the rally.
Sturgis, South Dakota attracts hundreds of thousands of people each August for the annual Sturgis Rally and Races. There are a lot of charities that benefit from this rally also, as well as the City of Sturgis. Just recently, Sturgis, Kentucky, was notified that they were being sued by Sturgis, South Dakota. Well, actually the Sturgis Chamber initiated the suit which, according to the City of Sturgis and the Sturgis Rally Committee, was done without their knowledge or consent.
Scott Reimen, President of the Sturgis Chamber, defends the suit saying it is essential that the name and trademarks be protected. He points out that the NFL would not allow a Little NFL to form, nor would NASCAR allow a Little NASCAR. Point taken. But the apparent fervor the suit has caused may do more harm than good to the City of Sturgis. Many are already talking about staying home, or visiting nearby towns like Deadwood, Lead, Custer and Rapid City while avoiding Sturgis. Some have even made plans to attend Little Sturgis in Kentucky instead.
Some of the questions circulating are why the Chamber has waited 15 years to complain about the Little Sturgis trademark infringement. Also, besides South Dakota and Kentucky, there are two other cities named Sturgis that hold motorcycle events. Sturgis, Mississippi and Sturgis, Michigan have had annual motorcycle events, cashing in on the Sturgis name. Also, Davenport, Iowa holds an annual “Little Sturgis on the River” event each year. None of these events draw the crowds that the South Dakota event does, and only one falls on the same week this year, so it’s hard to tell if any real damage is done. Time will tell what transpires with this suit, which seeks permanent injunction from using the words Sturgis, Sturgis Rally or Little Sturgis Rally. In addition, the Chamber is seeking monetary remedies to which it is entitled if successful.
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