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Historic Charlotte

Below are recent correspondence to the Mecklenburg County Arts and Science Council, The North Carolina Arts Council, and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources proving them proof of our intellectual property claim as verified by the North Carolina Secretary of State and North Carolina General Statues.
Secretary Carlisle,

The funding for the North Carolina Arts Council originates in your office.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Fwd: Infringement by Historic Charlotte]
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:24:50 -0800
From: J. Whipple/Queen City Tours(sm) and Travel <jwhipple@queencitytours.com>
Reply-To: jwhipple@queencitytours.com
Organization: Queen City Tours(sm) and Travel
To: mary.regan@ncdcr.gov

Ms. Regan,

These folks are funded through the Mecklenburg County Arts and Science Council.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Infringement by Historic Charlotte
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:16:08 -0800
From: J. whipple/Queen City Tours(sm) <jwhipple@queencitytours.com>
Reply-To: J. whipple/Queen City Tours(sm) <jwhipple@queencitytours.com>
Organization: Queen City Tours(sm) and Travel
To: <scott.provancher@artsandscience.org>


Mr. Provancher,

I am writing you out of frustration after numerous requests to compel the folks at Historic Charlotte to abide by the intellectual property laws of North Carolina. They have been infringing on my Trade Name [African-American Heritage Tour] and my North Carolina registered Trade Mark [QCT Charlotte Black/African-American Heritage Tour(sm)] since as far back as 2007 and have refused to adhere to my repeated requests to cease and desist. They have ignored my repeated request although I have provided them with documented proof of my established first use obtained from Mecklenburg County and the North Carolina Secretary of State.

According to their website, their mission is to actively promote historic preservation and to encourage, support and coordinate the activities of history and heritage groups throughout the greater Charlotte region. Nothing in this statement suggest the theft of a member of a heritage group's proprietary rights.

I have written multiple emails to Ms. Diane Althouse (Executive Director) and Mr. David Pitser (President, Executive Committee) explaining to them the law regarding intellectual property rights, and even providing them with the appropriate North Carolina General Statues. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out unless you are intentional playing stupid!

With that said, I am hoping that you will compel each one of them to comply with North Carolina law regarding my intellectual property rights and encourage them to cease and desist from using my Trade Mark African-American Heritage Tour or any similarly confusing names. I will continue to pursue this matter with any and all concerned third parties until Historic Charlotte is in full compliance with North Carolina law.

Sincerely,
J. Whipple
Founder/Director
jwhipple@queencitytours.com
www.queencitytours.com
Your message was read on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:53:50 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).
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Historic Charlotte:

Charlotte African-American Heritage Tour -- Current Infringer

Note: This organization is funded through the Mecklenburg County Arts and Science Council via the North Carolina Arts Council via the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.

Principles: Mr. David R. Pitser, Childress Klein Properties;
Ms. Diane C. Althouse, Executive Director

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