motor

AlienDB7 · 03-15-2005, 05:20 AM

Cincinnati, Ohio - Safir GT40 Spares, the company that holds the trademark to the name originally planned for Ford's low-volume supercar, now wants to trademark the car's shape as well.

The GT40 was originally built by Ford between 1964 and 1969 for racing. When it was discontinued, several companies produced replicas, including the Cincinnati-based Safir. The company trademarked the GT40 name in 1985 and produced replicas, sequentially numbered from the last Ford car, until 1999.

Safir GT40 Spares, which sells replacement parts for the older cars, reportedly demanded US$40 million in royalties for use of the name when Ford reintroduced the car, first shown at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show. Ford declined and named the car GT instead.

Safir GT40 Spares is now trying to obtain a trademark on the car's unique shape from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A successful trademark could result in royalties from Ford for every GT.

Ford has filed an objection to the application; both companies are withholding comment.

blah · 03-15-2005, 06:36 AM

what a bunch of low down dirty bastards. These people need to go to hell. :fist:

possessed_beaver · 03-15-2005, 08:36 AM

im sure they aren't in it for the money... they just want a fair go.. NOT!

TransAm · 03-15-2005, 09:32 AM

Now if they had trademarked the shape at the time they bought the rights to the car in 1985, they'd have a fair case. This, however, is as bad as those ambulance-chasing lawyers. :roll:

Good 'case study' for contracts management in the auto industry, however!

T5 · 03-15-2005, 10:37 AM

That´s a fair case.
Ford can´t sell trademarks and then use it without permission or without paying royalties

DeMoN · 03-15-2005, 11:15 AM

Wow I didnt expect this to happen. When will the veredict be given? Im desperate to know what this ends with.

sentra_dude · 03-15-2005, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by T5

That´s a fair case.
Ford can´t sell trademarks and then use it without permission or without paying royalties

Read it again.

Ford didn't sell a trademark on the shape to anyone, they sold a trademark to the name. These guys are just now trying to get a patent on the shape, so, after the fact, they can get royalties on each car. It is a blatant attempt to make a quick buck off Ford, and its pretty low down. :roll:

RC45 · 03-15-2005, 01:15 PM

Hopefully this case will run it's course abnd then they will be awarded their royalty - $1 per car sold..

gobs3z · 03-15-2005, 01:48 PM

I don't understand why they sold the rights to the GT40 name in the first place, was Ford desperate for some money back then? There better be some countersueing going on.

RC45 · 03-15-2005, 02:04 PM

I don't think Ford sold anything, it is just that they never did trademark the GT40 name - the Ohio company did though.

Now they are trying to trademark the shape/profile/likeness of the GT40 - and in so doing claim that Ford is selling a product that substantially looks like their trademarked product - which means Ford owes them royalty.

Nice work if you can get it... being the lawyers I mean - they are after all the only winners here..

666fast · 03-15-2005, 07:38 PM

I don't think Ford sold anything, it is just that they never did trademark the GT40 name - the Ohio company did though.

Bingo. Ford never sold the name, never trademarked it either. Leaving it wide open for anyone who wanted to do it.

I doubt this company will get a damn thing out of it, I'm willing to bet that Ford has the money to tie this up in courts for years.

ikon2003 · 03-15-2005, 08:07 PM

interesting. got a source for that or any more info?

gobs3z · 03-15-2005, 08:51 PM

But can't Ford just say they based the Ford GT after THEIR original Le Mans car, and make it the end of the story.

SilviaEvo · 03-15-2005, 08:58 PM

^^they could say that they got their shape from the original LM car who the Ohio company stole from them all they need is the patent and trademark on the Ford GT40 Le Mans but the Ohio company could say they took the GT40 Le Mans from their products so all in all its fucked up. also ford has that dispute for the Ford Mustang colored dials thing that this one dude apparently patented

jon_s · 03-16-2005, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by RC45

Nice work if you can get it... being the lawyers I mean - they are after all the only winners here..

I suspect that Ford has its own legal department for these kind of issues, so the Lawyers for Ford at least will not get any extra money unless they are on some kind of success bonus scheme.