Category: Ford

Ford has formally dropped its claims against Ferrari for using the F150 name. Although, that hasn’t stopped The Horse Whisperer column on the Ferrari website form making a few digs at the American auto giant.

Ferrari’s 2011 Formula One car, previously known as the F150, then the Ferrari F150th Italia, will now be known as the Ferrari 150° Italia. The ° symbol is the Italian abbreviation for “th”. However, it’s probably best if we let the Horse Whisperer do the talking:

“Therefore the name will now read as the Ferrari 150° Italia, which should make it clear even to the thickest of people that the name of the car is a tribute to the anniversary of the unification of our country. Let’s hope the matter is now definitely closed and that we can concentrate on more serious matters, namely ensuring that our car that already seems to be pretty good out of the box, becomes a real winner.”

[Source: The Horse Whisperer | Pic: twitpic]

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]

Until late January, when Ferrari launched their 2011 F1 car, the name F150 immediately conjured up images of hillbillies chowing down some grits for breakfast before heading off to… well, let’s not go there, lest Ford’s lawyers come our way as well. The point being Ford’s F-series truck range is well known the world over. And it just so happens the F-150, launched in 1975, is the most successful model in that range.

Ferrari has put noses seriously out of joint at Dearborn by calling their latest F1 car the F150. Last year it was the F10, so it stood to reason this year’s car would be known as the F11. However, 2011 marks 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification. So, it also seems perfectly reasonable for such an iconic brand like Ferrari to honour that occasion by referring to it in the name of their ultimate automotive creation.

Well, too bad, say Ford and they are currently suing Ferrari for, among other things, trademark infringement over the use of the F150 name. On the face of it, that seems fair enough. Although, the Ford allegations cite irreparable damage to it’s F-150 trademark. We’re not so sure that is really the case, but that’s for the US District Court in Detroit to decide, not us.

Further, Ford isn’t happy at Ferrari’s microsite for their F1 car—www.ferarrif150.com—and they’re submitting a US$100,000 damages claim under the US Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act. They also want Ferrari to cough up any profits they earn in the US by using the F150 name.

This could get interesting, we’ll keep a watching brief and wait to see what happens next.

[Source: The Detroit News]