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Friday, August 27th, 2010
When the first Brazilian in the ’80s started using OUR company name, Astrodeck, Herb contacted him and tried to negotiate a deal to buy back our Astrodeck name that he had registered in Brazil. The guy was very uncooperative and did not want to sell it to us-which was very unethical-but, unfortunately, not illegal. Herb contacted a lawyer here in the states about options and he was advised that he could probably win the case but it could exhaust all company assets. Herb had a young, growing family, limited resources, and so he made the decision to move forward by creating films and products that he was proud of, hoping that he could revisit the Brazilian infringement at a later date.
Time marched on and the business had periods of expansion and contractions, with many people jumping into the traction market that Herb created through his invention of the surfboard tail pad. With many players in the market for the pad (Which, by the way, is the smallest segment of surf-related sales.) being dependent on the purchase of a new board, it was difficult to keep our small family-owned company afloat. There was much money spent with attorneys getting trademark protection in many foreign countries, but most never produced the revenue that made the expense worth while.
We had heard nothing out of Brazil for quite some time until we ran into our friend, the shaper, Pat Rawson, at the tradeshow last year and he said that he wanted us to meet a young Brazilian who had bought “Astrodeck” from the previous Brazilian who had trademarked it. Pat said that the young guy really wanted to make it right and work with us. We were thrilled! After the initial introduction, I started to correspond with him through emails as I was always the one who handled all the international business. It was almost immediately apparent that the only way to work together would be a licensing deal due to the exchange rate, import duties, etc. I called him to discuss going forward and he became extremely reluctant to put together any specifics after he said that he was making many items with the Astrodeck name on them, and I said that I felt he would rightly owe me a royalty on anything with the Astrodeck name. He then said that he would have to talk to his people at Astrodeck. That pissed me off and I tried to politely explain to him that he WAS talking to Astrodeck. That’s when he decided to hang up, and that’s the last any of us have heard from him.
That is, until he popped up on Facebook with an Astrodeck profile and account. He is now also in the process of launching a website known as Astrodeck.com.br., where he has even stolen my Astrodeck logo and insignia that was personally created by Shawn Stussy for Herbie.
My attorney said yesterday that I have a very good case. But it could cost me north of $80,000.00. And at this point, with a still-small family-owned business (practically one of the only ones still surviving in this surf industry), that kind of money could completely destroy what we’ve spent our whole lives trying to achieve.
What he’s done may be lawful…but it’s immoral, unethical, and fuckin’ stinks!!!
Best regards,
Dibi Fletcher
CEO
Tags: Adrenalinle Surf Series, Astrodeck, Bad Ass Bindings, Brazil, CEO, Christian Fletcher, dibi fletcher, Greyson Fletcher, Herbie Fletcher, Nathan Fletcher, Pat Rawson, San Clemente, Shawn Stussy, Standing Island, The Originator Not The Imitator, Think Fast, wave warriors, Z-Ryder, Zryder Posted in Astrodeck Blog / News | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Here’s are a couple of little random YouTube clips that people had posted of the Coastal Carnage contest in Huntington Beach. Check out Greyson, pretty much holding up his own against guys like Omar Hasssan, Lance Mountain, and Christian Hosoi.
Greyson was representing with the Astrodeck shirt! Yeeeeeeeeeeah Greyson!
If you can’t directly click on the link, the just copy and paste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paFtdKJnS50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeOj0HrMQms
Tags: Astrodeck, Ben Schroeder, Christian Fletcher, Christian Hosoi, Coastal Carnage, Greyson Fletcher, Huntington Beach, Lance Mountain, Omar Hassan, Skate, Tosh Townend, wave warriors Posted in Astrodeck Blog / News | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
What better way to celebrate the independence of this great nation than to spend some of those hard-earned American dollars on some sweet Astrodeck sandals? You’d be unpatriotic to go around without a pair, and if that’s the case, why don’t you just shoot down an American bald eagle with a paintball rifle and then spit in Lady Liberty’s face while you’re at it?
Order a pair of sandals and you’ll be able to purchase certain selected styles for 50% off!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
 4th of July Astrodeck Sandal Sale
Tags: 4th of july, 50% off, Abraham Lincoln, america, american, Astrodeck, bald eagle, Benjamin Franklin, Christian Fletcher, dibi fletcher, dollars, Freedom Fries, George Washington, God bless America, Greyson Fletcher, hawaii, Herbie Fletcher, independence, Independence Day, James Monroe, Lady Liberty, money, San Clemente, sandal sale, Skateboarding, Statue of Liberty, Surfing, The Constitution, The liberty bell, Thomas Jefferson, United States, Washington D.C. Posted in Astrodeck Blog / News | No Comments »
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Volcom is doing a special Pipeline/Pipe House series, mainly featuring Herbie and Gerry Lopez. This is Part II in a series and shows some crazy Herbie antics. Typical of Herbie but outrageous to the rest of us. Their next series will feature some cool Old School footage of Christian and Nathan back when they were groms, so stay tuned!
Tags: Andy Irons, antics, Astrodeck, bruce irons, Christian Fletcher, dane kealoha, Derek Ho, Greyson Fletcher, groms, Herbie Fletcher, Ivan Florence, John John Florence, johnny boy-gomes, Justin Roberson, Mason Ho, Michael Ho, Mike Parsons, Nathan Fletcher, Nathan Florence, oahu, pipe house, Pipeline, Rich Woolcott, Ronnie Burns, Scott Farnsworth, the North Shore, Tommy Carroll, Tommy Curren, Troy Eckhart, Volcom, wave warriors Posted in Astrodeck Blog / News | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
 Herbie Fletcher presented by Brucennial 2010: Miseducation
It’s probably a conservative assumption to say that you probably know a little somethin’ somethin’ about Herbie Fletcher.
Legendary surfer, superior waterman, raging jet skier, surf traction pad mogul, crafty shaper, Wave Warriors film magnate, husband to the fiercely creative and independent Dibi (Hoffman) Fletcher, father to flying alchemists Christian and Nathan Fletcher. Blah, blah, blah, the list goes on. And on and on. Seriously, if it involves innovation, water, and surf, it probably has Herbie’s scent on it. And it would take an extra two days to even slightly dwell on his past involvements with the wakeboarding world, the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, modeling with Versace, and his friendship with Julian Schnabel, Bruce Weber and Ingrid Sischy of Interview Magazine. Just to name a few of Herbie’s list of accomplishments and contacts, mind you. But, no. No, no, no. We’re not going to get into all of that.
Because whether you may have known a lot about all of this or only a little bit of some of this, what most of you probably didn’t acknowledge or realize is that Herbie Fletcher is also a talented and gifted artist. What started as a faint teenage hobby has grown into a gradual and passionate adult persuasion. (More about Herbie and Julian Schnabel and the Blind Girl Surf series artboards in another blog.)
Whether it’s on surfboards or on canvas - whatever type of medium and style - the ever-expressive Herbie splashes it. And let’s not kid ourselves, he always makes a big splash. So much so that now Herbie and his artwork will be featured at the Whitney Museum under the direction and presentation of Vito Schnabel (Julian’s son).
Brucennial 2010: Miseducation will have it’s gala opening on Thursday, February 25th. The event will premiere at 6 PM and is expected to last until 2 AM. Obviously, those New York art types know how to party until the wee hours of the morning. This first night is open to the public and will run until April 4th, 2010.
Herbie is one of a few select artists who will present his lauded pieces up for viewing and purchase. So if you’re in the New York area, take a go at it. And if you see Herbie, say “hi”. We hear it’s going to be snowing big-time while Herb’s in NY; we hope he puts on a little more than just a pair of Astrodeck sandals.
Below is the official press release. Have yourself a gander and then check it out in person.
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PRESS RELEASE FOR BRUCENNIAL 2010: MISEDUCATION
I think the Brucennial is like—in the life of the people—it’s like an anniversary in the life of people. The people, they need moments to celebrate themselves and that’s what a Brucennial is. The Brucennial happens every two years, or really, you know, whenever we feel like it, and it’s a moment of celebration of the history of the people—of the reason why the people exist, of the nature of the people. Again, it’s like a person. If not there would be a flux of time without an interruption and I think that as people, people are live entities and they need to have some moments where they recognize this liveliness of their existence.
- Francesco Bonami
SoHo: The Bruce High Quality Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of The BRUCENNIAL 2010: Miseducation on February 25th at 6pm.
Since its founding, the BRUCENNIAL has evolved into The Bruce High Quality Foundation’s signature public program, as well as the most important survey of contemporary art in the world ever. Following the triumphant successes of BRUCENNIAL08: Doing it Again (Bushwick) and BRUCENNIAL09: Smithumenta (Carol Gardens), BRUCENNIAL2010: Miseducation brings together 420 artists from 911 countries working in 666 discrete disciplines to reclaim education as part of an artist’s ongoing practice beyond the principals of any one institution or experience.
The BRUCENNIAL will be housed at 350 West Broadway. Additionally, BHQFU projects will be on view at RECESS at 41 Grand Street.
The BRUCENNIAL is presented by The Bruce High Quality Foundation in collaboration with Vito Schnabel. 350 West Broadway is provided courtesy of Aby Rosen.
Tags: 60's, Aby Rosen, artboards, artists, Astrodeck, Blind Girl Surf, Bruce High Quality Foundation, Bruce Weber, Brucennial 2010, Christian Fletcher, dibi fletcher, Francesco Bonami, gala opening, Greyson Fletcher, hawaii, HBO, Herbie Fletcher, Ingrid Sischy, Interview Magazine, John From Cincinnati, Julian Schnabel, Manhattan, Miseducation, modeling, Nathan Fletcher, New York, Olympic team, Pipeline, Sandals, SoHo, Versace, Vito Schnabel, W. Broadway, wakeboarding, Walter Hoffman, wave warriors, Whitney Museum Posted in Astrodeck Blog / News | No Comments »
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