*******'s attorneys - as I recall - are the same ones who sued Rolex replica watch manufacturers (I'd have to dig out the letter I got from them telling me to cease and desist. I seem to recollect some verbage that confused me, something about if I continued to create similar watch designs there would be further action). That may have changed, but I doubt it; if you're successfully nuking everyone who makes a replica of your car, you'll probably keep using the same guys.As far as the Lambo replicas go, it's my understanding that a line has been drawn: we can make replicas of the older Lambos, but the Mucielago is off limits.
Shelby and Ford sued FFR, and it was kind of a push; FFR was told not to use Shelby logos or have any websites that referred to Cobras or Shelbys, and Ford pretty much said yeah...don't do that.
Shelby and Ford sued Superformance, and Superformance won. I don't believe that Ford actually went all the way through the suit, since there's a trail that leads back to Ford from Superformance (Superformance is Hi Tech, Hi Tech does work for AC, AC is owned by Ford or something similar to that) so in the end it looks like Ford was suing themselves.
I still don't understand Ford's involvement with the Shelby lawsuit; every Cobra, Daytona or GT40 replica uses alot of Ford parts...it seems counterproductive to attempt to get these companies to stop making replicas of cars that need Ford parts (engines, transmissions, rear ends, etc).
Other than that, there really isn't alot of automobile manufacturers suing the kit car industry; there rearlly aren't any replicas being made of current production automobiles.
Just be careful of what you do, and check for trademarks or patents on your work. It doesn't hurt to trademark or patent your stuff, either!
Your pal,
Meat.
(17 views)
Lawsuits
Posted - January 14 2003 : 10:21:30 AM
