Thursday, February 10, 2011

Ford Beats Ferrari - But Not on the Track

Those who keep up with auto industry news may know that Ferrari wanted to name their F1 car the "F150" and announced their intentions to do so a while back. Ford, however, had an issue with this and took legal action to protect their trademark "F150".
Here's where I disagree with Ford's actions. They claimed that Ferrari had misappropriated the F150 trademark in naming its new racing vehicle the "F150" in order to capitalize on and profit. For starters, how can you compare a truck to a formula one race car?  The only reason Ferrari wanted the "F150" name for their F1 car is to celebrate 150 years of Italian unity, and they understandably don't understand Ford's intentions behind this legal action. Personally, I've gotta say that Ford is just flexing their muscles unnecessarily, simply because they can.
Ford also wanted damages for "cybersquatting" but I couldn't find out whether they are pursuing that since Ferrari has already withdrawn their proposal to use "F150" for their F1 car.

In conclusion, I gotta say that Ford done goofed on this one. Allowing Ferrari to use the "F150" name on their formula one car would not affect their business in any way, and it almost seems like bad publicity for them to pursue legal action.

26 comments:

  1. I bet if they had that guy with the skunk had driving, Ford wouldnt have said a word. In fact, they would probably pay to get him on their team.

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  2. I think you're right, this only makes Ford look bad.

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  3. Gotta agree does seem like a stupid move on Fords part in this.

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  4. Ford sucks, srs. Why the hell would they even care about such a small thing.

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  5. Yay ford, way to prove the colour of your bum-bum.

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  6. Bit of a goof alright, it probably would have aided them by allowing it to happen.

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  7. well, there would appear some confusion when people talking, i bet they would have been like " the ferrari or the ford ?

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  8. haha ford ftw.
    but no really fords blow.
    chevy ftw.

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  9. I want to own an F150, or maybe an F350

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  10. unfortunately its a slippery slope
    if they let Ferrari use it then someone else can say "yall didnt have a problem with them so you have no claims on us" they may not have meant to "capitalize and profit" its just legal mumbo jumbo garbage but if Ford doesnt protect now they cant protect later.

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  11. That law suit is so full of fail. I really can't believe they wanted to do that O.o

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  12. Who knew : big, bureaucratic institutions behave like uncoordinated swarms of mindless middle managers and junior attorneys.

    At least Ford do a (slightly) better job of keeping that culture out of their design operations than GM.

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  13. Lol ford needs to get a life

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  14. That's it I'm buying stock in Ford. It's only gonna climb from here.

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  15. Why would Ferrari even want to associate the Ford... they're fucking FERRARI... the mechanical embodiment of sexy...

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  16. trademarks are huge nowadays though

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  17. Ford is mad because ferrari makes better racing cars.

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  18. That is funny. Lose lose situation for Ford.

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  19. They can call their cars what they want, don't they.

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  20. can't see what ford will get out of this - apart from looking petty

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  21. poor ferari, but then not really

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  22. Too bad Ferrari wins everywhere else.

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