American Airlines Virtual

umm.

Seems they started up in January of this year. Do we hold a copyright on the name "American Airlines Virtual"?

We, and many others who have gone before us, have worked hard to build a reputation for experienced and capable pilots. I do not want to see someone else come in, ride on our name, and trash this reputation - not saying they will but we've all seen how some other VAs operate. They are certainly welcome to join us, but it appears they have already made the decision not to do so.

Perhaps our management is already in dialog with this group.

Pilots,

The management team is aware of the new VA with our name, American Airlines Virtual, but with a different web address (.net). I don't see this VA as competition but rather being complimentary to our own. Our VA has a certian community, feel, and spirit. It is a result of our members, our management, our checkrides, our application process, and our forums. No other VA will be the same, regardless of their name, because it is very difficult to copy these things. As a result, I believe pilots who are a good fit for our community will find their way here. Pilots who are a fit for the other AAV's community will find their way there. And pilots who find themselves in the wrong place will leave and find a place that fits them better.

I think the other AAV may have some problems with their name and may end up changing it or adding to it. Sites like VatSim and VATUSA have data that is tied to our VA name. It will be hard for the other AAV to have the same name because the name will already be associated with us.

Regarding copyrights, don't even start. We are fortunate the real world AA tolerates our existence. The real world UPS and Fed Ex have had their lawyers send letters that have closed many VAs with their name and logo. We are luck to be allowed to continue using the real word AA logo.

I've let our VATSIM contact and the CEO of AVA know there is another AAV on the block and that there could be some callsign conention on VATSIM.

If you have other questions or concerns, feel free to post here or contact me privately.

Thanks, Mike. Figured you were on top of it.