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Vanguard Integrity Professionals
Terminates Sponsorship of
Team Gordon, Inc. for 2008, 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rally
Company Initiates Litigation to Prohibit Team Gordon from
Associating Itself with Vanguard Trademarks
LAS VEGAS -- March 26, 2008 -- Vanguard Integrity Professionals,
Inc. announced today that on Jan. 30, 2008 it terminated its
sponsorship of Team Gordon, Inc. for the 2008, 2009 and 2010
Dakar Rallies.
On Jan. 4, 2008, the Dakar Rally 2008 was cancelled by the Amaury
Sport Organization (ASO) due to threats of terrorist attacks by
al Qaeda against the Rally and its participants.
Vanguard is in the business of security, providing security
software and services to many government agencies and Fortune 500
companies around the world. The company's software protects its
customers from internal and external threats including
cyber-terrorism attacks.
At the time of the cancellation of the 2008 Rally, Vanguard had
independently confirmed the terrorist threats and agreed with the
ASO's decision to cancel the Rally; the risk of attacks by al
Qaeda was real, and the risk was simply too great.
Factory-sponsored teams registered for the Dakar 2008 and others
also supported the ASO's decision to cancel the Rally due to the
terrorist threat.
Vanguard continues to believe Robby Gordon is one of the most
talented off-road race drivers in the world, and has the highest
respect for his driving abilities. However, with the cancellation
of the 2008 Dakar Rally due to terrorist threats, along with Team
Gordon's public statements in response to that cancellation,
continued sponsorship of Team Gordon no longer provides Vanguard
with the appropriate promotional opportunities.
On February 19, 2008, Vanguard took legal action against Team
Gordon Inc. seeking an injunction prohibiting Team Gordon from
associating itself with Vanguard's trademarks. Vanguard is also
seeking a declaration from the Court confirming Vanguard's proper
termination of the Sponsorship agreement.
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