Thursday, February 10, 2011

Ford (NYSE:F) Sues Ferrari Over F-150 Trademark Infringement

The inclusion of F-150 on Ferrari's Formula 1 racing car has brought a lawsuit from Ford Motor (NYSE:F) for trademark infringement.

Ford filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Detroit, saying, "Ferrari has misappropriated the F-150 trademark in naming its new racing vehicle the 'F150' in order to capitalize on and profit from the substantial goodwill that Ford has developed in the F-150 trademark."

Ferrari not only had the symbol on the car, but it was from directly naming the car the "F150" that resulted in the symbol being placed on the Formula 1 vehicle.

The reason for naming the vehicle the F150, according to Ferrari was this: "The choice of name stems from Ferrari's desire to pay tribute to this year's one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the unification of Italy."

Ford has requested the court to disallow the use of F150 on the Ferrari vehicle and from using the name at all.

Ford is also seeking damages of $100,000 under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, and other unspecified damages at this time.

Ford closed Wednesday at $16.09, down $0.15, or 0.92 percent.

No comments: