Ferrari has responded to Ford’s claims of trademark infringement over the use of the F150 name by agreeing to rename its 2011 Formula One car the Ferrari 150th Italia. Indeed, Ferrari say this was always the full name of the car, but they abbreviated it to F150 for convenience. Really?!
We think this is all a load of baloney, to be honest. Yes, Ford has a right to protect its trademarks and intellectual property. However, was anyone really going to get a high-tech F1 car seen only on the world’s best racetracks muddled up with a low-tech pickup seen only in front of Moe’s Tavern? Obviously, perhaps, Ferrari agree as well, stating, “It is very difficult to understand Ford’s viewpoint on the matter.”
Anyway, Ferrari has obliged and it sounds like Ford won’t be getting any compensation from Ferrari. You can read their full statement below.
[Pic: twitpic]
The name of the new Ferrari Formula 1 car
Maranello, 10th February – On the subject of the name of the new Ferrari Formula 1 car, the Maranello company wishes to point out that it has sent a letter of reply to Ford, underlining the fact that the Ferrari F150th Italia designation (used as the abbreviated version of the complete name, which is Ferrari F150th Italia) never has, nor ever will be used as the name of a commercially available product – indeed there will definitely not be a production run of single-seaters. In fact, it has always been the case in the history of Scuderia names, that they represent the nomenclature of a racing car project and are linked to a chronological order with a technical basis, or in exceptional cases, to special occasions. This year, the decision was taken to dedicate the car name to a particularly significant event, the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, an event of such great importance that the Italian government has declared, for this year only, a national holiday.
For these reasons, Ferrari believes that its own contender in the forthcoming F1 championship cannot be confused with other types of commercially available vehicle of any sort whatsoever, nor can it give the impression that there is a link to another brand of road-going vehicle. Therefore it is very difficult to understand Ford’s viewpoint on the matter.
Despite this and to further prove it is acting in good faith and that it operates in a completely correct manner, Ferrari has decided to ensure that in all areas of operation, the abbreviated version will be replaced at all times with the full version, Ferrari F150th Italia.