Hooper Imports Wins Judgment Against Lifan

[frostbite]

For you slackers who never check out the front page :wink: :

http://www.hooperimports.com/

Congratulations Larry. I'm hope this can finally be put to rest.

[SpeedSouth]

So, if I read that correctly...(I'm in a bit of a hurry)


Lifan must retract all statements that implicate Hooper did not sell Lifans legally. And they are not allowed to make any future claims to the same effect.


In summary, the judge looked over the evidence and said "Yes, the statement posted by Lifan on their web site could lead someone to think that Hooper isn't selling Lifans legally. Retract that statement and don't do it again."


Is that about right? And Lifan didn't even try to defend themselves.


Did I miss something? 8O

[Cal25]

And what about Larry's ricebowl? I sure hope he get it replaced too.

Sounds like American Lifan got off too easy. And what does the 1,000 dollar bond do?

At any rate I am sure that Hooper is glad for this to be behind them.

[phil]

congrats to larry, aint karma a b!^@#
http://cindybarry.com/images/ROTFL110x85.gif
just had to borrow that kd

[dsrt4]

I have a Very good story about Larry Hooper to share in a few days or so. It will show you Exactly what a stand up kinda Guy he is.

Anyway Larry, Congrats!!!

My wife made this pic for you!

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd238/Deezildennis/larry20hooper1.jpg

[Q]

Good for Larry!

My dealings with Larry Hooper have always been positive. The two engines I bought from him were definitely made by Lifan and are still running great after lots of use.

Q

[culcune]

It's interesting to see that yet another Chinese company lost in US court, over something they probably should know better (the other suit was Yamaha winning its suit against Yamoto).

I had felt that while A. Lifan intimidated other dealer/distributors out of selling Lifan bikes, they shouldn't have pushed the issue with Hooper.

[dsrt4]

I had felt that while A. Lifan intimidated other dealer/distributors out of selling Lifan bikes, they shouldn't have pushed the issue with Hooper.

I Agree!! He brought Lifan over to the states and stood behind the product before anyone. He wasn't selling crap at flea-markets or at some fly by night store front.

Heres a Article to let you know just how long he has delt with Lifan and how he started bringing their bikes into the states!

http://www.bkoffroads.com/CT70%20reproduction%20article.htm

[knothead]

That's killer! I'm happy for Hooper Imports. The smear campaign is what really turned me against American Lifan... I hope Larry can get some damages out of AL, I think he deserves it.

[SpudRider]

Congratulations to Mr. Larry Hooper! I certainly hope he will receive the full justice he deserves. :D

Spud :)

[KentuckyDonkey]

.....
just had to borrow that kd

Awww, that's alright- I sto...err..uh "requisitioned" it from someone else!

Lifan had better toe the line- IMO, they make the best Chinese engines (can't comment on their bikes as I've never had one...but if they're the same quality as their engines...they must be great) but if they get a reputation for being douchebags, and go around disparaging good dealers who have helped to get their brand established and accepted in the US, they will do themselves irreparable harm!

[phil]

me being on the border of ky, you must know me :lol:

[kczukiman]

Great news...About time. :D

[maf119l]

Actually Hooper won the case by default because Bob Yang did not respond in time (Hoopers PDF that Frostbite linked to the main page states this in the first paragraph),not because his claim was valid.If you do not respond to the lawsuit against you (i don't understand why someone would do that) you deserve to loose no matter the facts.

[mrhyak]

Actually Hooper won the case by default because Bob Yang did not respond in time (Hoopers PDF that Frostbite linked to the main page states this in the first paragraph),not because his claim was valid.If you do not respond to the lawsuit against you (i don't understand why someone would do that) you deserve to loose no matter the facts.

Maybe he did not respond because he had no case? Glad Larry showed A-Lifan they can't come into the USA and push people around.

[culcune]

[quote=maf119l] Glad Larry showed A-Lifan they can't come into the USA and push people around.

...or break their ricebowls!!!

[mrhyak]

The admin at AL forum is still insisting that Hooper sells Lifan products illegally and they AL is the only company that can sell them. They totally ignore what the court has said. Those guys are clueless.

[mrhyak]

BTW, they banned me from their forum for talking about the lawsuit.

[phil]

from what i have seen nothing is suprising, al not showing up mrhayak banned,(been there) al losing, and not a single sign of remorse. i wouldnt be shocked if al is a short timer, the few things i cant figure, did china really know what was going on with al or just react to advise given to them by management in this country, what does the 1k bond do is it for a garrantee they will abide by the judgement or maybe they didnt have one that was required. why didnt hooper get a gaizllion $, did he ask for money seems like he didnt. if china knew what was going on would they still sell to him

[TeamCheap]

I'm so glad Hooper won but will he really keep selling lifan products or just find another source of bikes.

BTW, they banned me from their forum for talking about the lawsuit. :lol: :lol: I saved myself and them a lot of headaches and just did the "self ban" myself.
Meaning I dont want or need or care about their lame arse forums and control freak attitude.

If AL and their forums got flung off the planet right now (heres hoping) I would never even know it or miss them. :lol:

Ohh...uhh,, hang on .......................yep our rice bowls are safely locked in my safe. :lol: :lol: WHEW

[SeerAtlas]

Regarding the "no show" of AL, its called a Default, but the Plaintiff does not automatically win. He must 'prove up" his case, and in this case, the Judge appears to have reviewed the documents and agreed, so congrats Larry.

However, a judgment is a piece of paper and the courts have real trouble getting someone to say "I'm sorry and I won't do it again". I'm betting that Larry is going to continue to have trouble getting access to lifan bikes.
One possible result, however, is that the court has the power to BAN the importation of Lifan bikes until they comply with a court order to sell them to Hooper on a reasonable basis. My guess is that when and if Hooper goes in for such an order, American lifan is likely to feel its time to hire an attorney and defend.

If I was an attorney, (and I am :) I would advise Larry to try and negotiate a supply and if they won't agree, go back before the Judge and try to get appropriate order.... Larry's in the driver's seat and the chinese really don't understand the American Legal system, as the Chinese system is far more 'gamable'...
Going to be interesting to watch and I wish Larry all the best.

Seer

[warrior91]

Yay Hooper :!: :lol:
:roll: justice works occasionally :wink:

[mrhyak]

I've noticed the AL and Lifan sites have not changed their smear of other USA companies selling Lifan products as per the court order.
I'd guess Larry has some sort of contract with Lifan China (and also a lot of $$$ invested) so it would be in his best interests to keep them as a supplier, but it has been over a year since his last shipment so I hope for Larry's sake they can get things cleared up.

This thing that AL wants "exclusive rights" to all Lifan products after the parent company had already made a contract with Hooper Imports is ridiculous. It would be a totally different thing if Hooper started his company after AL had established themselves but Larry spent the $$$, time and effort to establish the Lifan bikes here in the USA long before AL was even a thought.