I like Muscle Cars and everything, but how is this not trademark infringement?

[Aquineas]

http://equus-automotive.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hRJfS9sfyIk

 

[Mark_888]

Did Hyundai file a trademark on the term "Equus"?

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Did Ford file a trademark on the 71-73 GT350?! Jesus that is a replica!!!

 

[Aquineas]

Did Hyundai file a trademark on the term "Equus"?

I honestly don't know. But does any car maker file a trademark for the name of their cars? Would it be okay, for example, if a car manufacturer decided to call their company "Corvette Motorcars?"

 

[Mark63021]

Reminds me of the 1988 lawsuit brought upon GM by an Italian gun maker for Chevy's use of the name "Beretta". The case was settled and the car remained in production until '96.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-02-23/business/fi-433_1_chevrolet-beretta

 

[zielritter]

From a stylistic standpoint, does Ford have the right to sue for copyright infringement here? I mean the shape is a straight copy of the Mustang "design" that is more or less a unique artistic element for that vehicle. Not to mention the horse symbol is borderline trademark infringement as well, naming aside.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Interesting. I know thye make new replica bodys of the Mustang. Looks like they took one of them and modified it some to build a new car.

But as for copyright etc, Carroll Shelby tried for years to Sue factory Five racing for their Cobra replica. bottom line was he couldn't win. He didn't have any rights to the body design. And Ford owned the Cobra name, not him.

he later went after Super performance, who was given everything they needed to defeat him. Instead they rolled over and are now an "authorised" Shelby replica.

So I guess it all depends on who wants to take the time to try and take them to court over the name and design.

 

[QuantumRift]

The video is pretty good. This is certainly a good car that you could outrun zombies with.

But for trademark and copyright, an auto manufacturer does own the trademarks and copyrights for their products. So Dodge cannot legally manufacture and market a "Camaro". Could they make a Comargo? Probably. If it did not look TOO much like a 'real' Camaro.

As for this vehicle, yea, I would certainly thing that Hyundai 'owns' the Equus name as it pertains to their line of vehicles.

It's also safe to assume that BASS here, has probably talked to and cleared the use of the name "Equus" with Hyundai. Maybe not. Who knows. In any case, if BASS was making a 4 door sedan that looked suspiciously like an Equus, well, that would be blatant infringement. But saying the car is a BASS "Equus", and the looks, well it could hardly be confused with a 'real' Equus.

As for Ford, well, we might assume that BASS also got with Ford and either cleared the use of the style, or licensed the designand is paying Ford royalties. Much like a musical group can 'remake' a popular song (all they have to do is negotiate the copyright or trademark rights). As the "Fully equipped 2014 EQUUS BASS770" starts at $250,000, I guess Ford may be laughing all the way to the bank.

All speculation, of course.