Ther Verdict is In. Gaffrig Press Release
 

Gaffrig Celebrates Victory and 20th Anniversary in 2004!

What a great way to start the New Year. Not only is Gaffrig celebrating their 20th Anniversary in the marine industry, but also their victory in the courts awarding them exclusive rights to the Gaffrig name.

“Justice has prevailed”, says Mike Schultz, President of Gaffrig Performance. “We’re just glad it’s over and excited to begin the New Year on a positive-upbeat note.”

Over the years consumers have become increasingly confused about who the “real” Gaffrig manufacturer is. Therefore, in December 1999, in order to protect its consumers’ interest and the credibility of the Gaffrig name, a trademark infringement lawsuit was filed. Now, four years later, the verdict has finally come in:


On December 19th , 2003, Hon. William J. Hibbler of the US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, states: “Gaffrig Performance's request for an injunction against Livorsi Marine's use of any trademark or tradename incorporating the word Gaffrig, or the use of such a mark on, or in connection with the sale of, any marine products is GRANTED”

Gaffrig Performance, has been for 20 years and will continue to be the sole manufacturer of Gaffrig products.

In 1984 James Gaffrig started his marine product lines with a liquid filled speedometer. Over the past 20 years and many new products later, that Gaffrig name has become synonymous with quality. After Jim Gaffrig’s untimely death Mike Schultz, who had worked with Gaffrig since its inception, purchased the company and continues to operate it with the same passion for excellence set forth by James Gaffrig.

Gaffrig provides the industry with equipment and products that meet the demanding needs of the marine environment. James Gaffrig’s original muffler design, utilizing “gun silencer” technology, makes it one of the top mufflers on the market today. In addition, the waterproof gauges and US Coast Guard approved flame arrestors will stand up in the toughest of marine situations. The newly redesigned controls are constructed of lightweight aircraft aluminum and offer larger smoother handles for a more comfortable grip and can also be purchased with optional in-handle lighting and switches. Consumers can be confident that a Gaffrig product will withstand the harsh elements of a tough marine environment.

“Personal service, superior quality and innovative products are what we have always and will continue to strive for.” says Schultz. “We enjoy what we do . . . and it reflects in our products!”

My instruments will say Gaffrig on them, even if I have to use a magic marker. Quality wise, service wise, reliability wise, there is no equal to Livorsi's products, period.

Scott B

Sounds like Livorsi will be selling gauges under a new name...no big deal, I'll still be buying Livorsi.

congrats on your victory

however i will be using Livorsi guages in my boats becasue they are simply better guages than the now one and only official "gaffrig". I have one Gaffrig performance guage and it kind of loosk like doo mixxed in with my livorsi guages.

I`m a big Livorsi fan also. He has earned his spot in the market place by doing business the old fashioned way..Outstanding customer service.

Kurt

My Gaffrig siquid speedo leaked all the glycerin out of it two years ago, and last year the seal broke on the inside and water rushed all over my dash at 60 mph. What a friggin mess. It's now useless and looks like crap. For what I spent on that gauge, it should have lasted longer than 7 years, even in the marine enviroment.

Did you call them about the problem? Beleive me, I stretched the meaning of customer service with Livorsi on a couple occasions, and they were awesome...

Scott B

Tough crowd! :eek:

Congrats on winning your case.

I also have Mike's gauges and love them... at least the person using the Graffig name makes a kick-azz product!

I am proud to say I have "Gaffrig Precision Instruments" gauges in our boat. These gauges, as I believe all the gauges in late model "Donzi" boats, are manufactured by Livorsi Marine.

I'll tape over the Gaffrig name if necessary as long as I get to keep my Livorsi gauges and get to deal with the knowledgable, friendly people at Livorsi Marine.

Well, by that ruling, thousands will now stop buying Gaffrig products and continue to buy whatever name Mike Livorsi markets his products under. I had excellent customer service from his company and he has earned a repeat customer. Keep it up Mike.

These guys are Gaffrig Performance.

I have to go check my gauges now to see which one's I have :confused:

The first post is always the toughest... :drool: :et: :crazy: :hothead: :rolleyes:

Hmm, I could use this nonsense post to ho my way to 500 posts....

One post and not even a paying member :D

I said, Hmm, I could use this nonsense post to ho my way to 500 posts....

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :drool: :crazy:

Hmm, I could use this nonsense post to ho my way to 500 posts....

Damn, there's an echo in here :crazy:

Hello Hello Hellllloooooooo :D

Now thats good comedy!!

Scott B

Oh yeah, did I mention I could use this nonsense post to ho my way to 500 posts....

Just a Post Ho! nothing more nothing less

I will still purchase all my boating gauges from Livorsi Marine. I belive that Mike Livorsi makes a far superior product, no matter what it is called.

Scott B, 14 more to go!

I wasn't trying to slam Gaffrig. I'm not even sure if mine is a Livorsi or a Gaffrig gauge. And I'm not uncovering the boat to find out now! It's snowing!

Fred, it's 25 degrees and snowing. I'm NOT going out there to work on ANYTHING!!!

HE COULD JUST CALL THE LIVORSI AND IT WOULDN T MATTER

Yeah,

Huh??

Somebody refresh my memory...wasn't it Livorski that was saying they were the original Gaffrig? Something to do with somebody that was a cop?

Congratulations on the ruling, but unfortunately it's an empty victory in the grand scheme of things I'm sorry to say...

Best of luck with your business, but the truth is, Livorsi's got mindshare, marketshare and as Fred has stated already, Mike Livorsi has been continually improving his product and bring new innovative products to market.

And, with all due respect to you and your business, you've just been banking on the Gaffrig name... I apologize if this seems a bit harsh, but what new products have you brought to market?

For the record, I bought AutoMeters for my last gauge project because I liked the look of them. I spoke with the folks at Livorsi to see if I could get a speedo to match my Autometers and the matched the bezel face and rim perfectly. They then asked me why I chose AutoMeter for the resto of the gauges instead of their product. My response was that after doing some research and looking in their catalogue, I found that they didn't offer the look that I was going for. Their reply was that they would be able to match any look I was going for in any color I wanted...that they are more than happy to do custom work(which they did for my speedo).

Now if that story doesn't show great customer service and the right attitude toward business, I don't know what does. My next project WILL be done with Livorsi gauges. Great job Mike Livorsi and team!

Waterfoul...send the gauge back...they will usually fix it no matter how old it is...you'd be surprised!

I sen back an old speedo which had some powdercoat peeling off and they fixed it, sent it back---NO CHARGE!

I think he forgot the "m"

Scott B

Hmm, I could use this nonsense post to ho my way to 500 posts.... 13 mo to go :)

Congrats on your victory. I have Livorsi "Gaffrig"
gauges & am very impressed by their service. I
understad what you were going thru,but It's the
product,not the name that counts. Livorsi has done
an excellent job updating & offering new products.
I just plain didn't like the look of your "Gaffrig gauges"
I think you have a long way to go to gain customer
share,but I wish you the best of luck. By the way
all you post counters,who gives a $hit how many
post someone has? I would rather read a post that
is intelligent than two idiot words just to get your
post count up. Thats just sounds like someone with
to much time on their hands.

OK, being home sick in bed, I have too much time on my hands..


Scott B

Ooops, that was more than 2 words. Damn, I could have gotten 7 posts out of that ;)

Call the livorsi? :confused:

I think the word "company" is missing.

Livorsi Marine will continue its ALWAYS 100% customer service and customer satisfaction and quality product. The new Livorsi Marine catalog and all ads have their LMI Livorsi Marine Inc logo and I am with the majority that the reputation behind the name speaks for itself....The manufactures as well as us consumers are just as important in his book...Livorsi's gauges are industry standard from the factory in Baja, Donzi, Cigarette, Fountain, Formula. Nortec, Skater, Spectre, among others for the last 16 years ...His name and reputation and quality service and product will continue to earn my business and as ALWAYS I am sure Mike Livorsi will personally stand behind his product and continue to unveil numerous product innovations and lines to earn my business as he has done in the past.

sorry schultz looks like your still screwed... se la vi

Tough crowd. ;)

I have had both and both have performed well.

Mike at GP, say Hello to Charlie if you see him, we did some time together at Graduate School of Banking and he spoke well of you.

GP also handled my issue with my Speedo last year with no problem.

What a pain in the a s s. Now I have to change my literature and website.

Couldn't we just call the non-Livorsi gauges "gaffe Gauges"?

Kinda like: "I gaffed another customer into thinking I'm Livorsi Marine...."

We'll stay with the LMI.

Too old, I think you misunderstand what I'm
trying to say. I'm totally on board about Livorsi.
But I,ve read many posts that have been totally
blown off by members because their post counts
are low. What does this mean,new members aren't
welcome? I find that thinking ridiculaus. I'm not talking
about when guys are having fun, I'm talking about
when someone new posts & people say they don't
know what they are taking about just because the
don't have a million posts. One more thing, If you
read my post you would see that I have Livorsi
products and I love them, but you can't blame a
guy for trying to build his biz. I don't think he's
bragging,I think he's just trying to get the word
out. It's called business. I think you would do the
same. As always,it's great sparring with you.
"TOO MAN" :)

If you guys really get fussy....... you can have stewart-warner make gauges that have any name on them you want...... want gauges to say "way cool"... they'll make them.... as long as you pay for the set up and buy enough of them.... Then you can market your own brand of "way cool" gauges. ( just trying to raise my post number!)