Take care of your PEEPS

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Shannon Best v Pure Action Sports Worldwide, Best Kiteboarding et Al…

After expressing my opinion to other concerned shareholders regarding the direction of Best Kiteboarding and the mismanagement by its CEO, I was terminated by Pure Action Sports Worldwide, the holding group owning and controlling Best Kiteboarding.

After attempting to settle our differences, not only did they refuse to pay my salary in accordance with our original agreement but further they refused to pay me my severance and any of my royalties. They diluted my ownership for the last few years and fraudulently applied for trademarks they did not have any right to.

The trademarks are the result of my work, my image, and my performances in the watersport industry and are specifically recognized as such in my employment agreement with Best Kiteboarding and its holdings inclusive of Pure Action Sports Worldwide. The employment contract specifically indicates that those trademarks bearing my name are mine and not theirs although I allowed them to use it during my employment with the implied ability to revoke that option at will.

Unbeknown to me Pure Action Sport Worldwide management applied and fraudulently obtained the related trademark in the name of the holding or its subsidiary.

After being terminated I requested for Pure Action Sport to pay what was owed and they simply refused. As well, they refused to pay any of the royalties owed to me. I then requested for them to remove my name from all of their products and again they declined.

Without any other choice, I filed a lawsuit against them on September 9, 2013 in Federal Court in the USA. The goal of the lawsuit is for them to pay what they owe me as to unpaid salary, unpaid dividends, severance and royalties but mostly this lawsuit is to recover my Brand and Image and related trademarks which they have acknowledged were mine and that they are using without my authorization.

I want to make it clear that I have no intention to go back to work with Pure Action Sports or Best Kiteboarding nor to be associated with them in any fashion as I have moved forward and my goal is to focus and develop my current activities including KiteSurf (www.KiteSurf.com) which will be one of their competitors as well as other ventures I am working on.

I really want to recover my name and image and to distance it from Pure Action Sport and its management. I welcome the idea that they may have to rename their brand something else and if they want I have a substantial repertoire of suggestions.

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 291 Posts Obsessed

What a bunch of jerks! It is sadly typical of many large corporations. I hope he is prepared for a long drawn out fight where they'll attempt to make it so difficult that he runs out of money and patience. You're right Dangler; they're Aholes.

MIXWELL · Mon Sep 30, 13 11:26 am

What a bunch of kooks! good luck beating Shannon in court(NOT)! God Best is lame!

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Beware. There is always two sides to a story.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

and the other side of this would be???

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2623 Posts The 503 METAL

Anticipating this kind of treachery, I decided to boycott the brand back in 2006. Laughing

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-1197.html

I can't wait to see the new graphics after the Dangler takes over!

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

While this letter is a sad statement of business at large.... don't think for a second that creators of any brands/items/toys are not being copied or exploited. While Kiteboarding is a realitively new sport...more seasoned sports have had this same thing going on for many decades. When shit hits the fan everyone runs to the contract in everything. Thats why it is important to keep your yap shut when creating and get yourself a patent. Implied agreements, handshakes, "he's my buddy" is just a recipe for getting F'd over. You may create the coolest thing ever, but if you suck at business, lack resources or have no distrubution...excuse your ego - sell your idea with an ironclad contract and get a royalty fee. Just from experience, I can tell you to watch the people who work for you..including relatives.

The key phrase that Shannon uses is "owning & controlling" & "implied".

Swimming with sharks gets you eaten.

Whether you like Shannon or BEST or not... I hope he triumphs.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

My last post wasn't quite complete. I retract I hope Shannon is Triumphant as I don't know the other side of the story. I always feel protective of creators and jumped to conclusions based on his open letter. I hope whatever happens... it is fair to both parties.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Dan k · Since 31 Mar 2013 87 Posts

Best always made shitty kites and will be outta biz soon. The only people still flying their kites nowadays are ones who got them free. Just sayin.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

I have read a few things about this .
Shannon feels , at least from what I read , that his name and this sport are being used to "make money" lots of it , as the main focus . Leaving the what he feels and what he feels others want along the wayside .
I met Shannon in 2006 in Hood river . They were there with a big bus touring . I bought a 12m Waroo from a local store in Hood river . I really felt this guy was serious about making sure people felt good about his product and that it was quality stuff . Wether that is the case , as some state Best kites are junk, or not , he made me feel good about my purchase and I still have that kite . I don't really use it much at all unless another kite is out for repair but I still have it and it works .
I have met several people that say they want to make a few bucks to offset the cost of kiting . They think selling a few kites or giving lessons will do that . They stated that they don't want or think they can make a living at it but just a few $ . It doesn't take long and they change .
First it's , " I can get you a deal " then it's " but it cost me $xxxx so I have to make some money to pay my expenses and ...... blah blah . Then the same people who were so nice change and don't want to speak with people who aren't buying kites regularly , like were all made of money or something . I only replace them when they are wore out or fked .
I have been at events and asked " do you own a business " thinking that a big sale is coming I assume but when I say no it's just me , I work a full time job , this is for fun , everything changes and it's like I have the plague ! No point talking to him I can't get rich from this guy must be the main focus . These kind of people make me SICK . they are fukin POSERS . Oh so nice then the truth comes out .
I know people are in business to make money but when it's such a powerful drive that you lose touch with people that are paying your way , well it's just not right .
Nothing I do will change this . It's been like this since money has been around .
I wish you well Shannon with your new adventure .

JackZ

Sella · Tue Oct 01, 13 9:28 am

When Best opened up cash to sign the top 2 freestyle riders (Pulido and Zoon) people questioned the benefit of that move as they will podium riding any brand plus freestyle seems stale/boring today while wave riding is powering the momentum in kiting. I would love to know if signing top riders really equates to sales growth in the kiting industry and possibly Shannon called bs on it as he was termed in 2012 when the rider deal was beginning to take shape. All speculation at it's finest. Smile

The real story that will be interesting to follow is Shannon's transitions from token figurehead to CEO and just how far will KiteSurf develop in a tough industry. They've got their rider....their graphic design guy...and their tech guy who is their true wild card / ace in the hole who could make the company produce something original and very legit. Time will tell but selling a few boards, bars and ripstop could be a good life to go after and if it pays the bills and keeps the family happy......Best of success to them. Very Happy

Jonpnw · Tue Oct 01, 13 9:46 am **Same thoughts**

Jonpnw · Tue Oct 01, 13 9:48 am **Same thoughts**

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

i wish we had some decent riding weather and something better to do than stare at this thread

Jonpnw · Tue Oct 01, 13 9:54 am **Word**