Ford re file for trade mark

**jbr39** · 31-12-2021, 15:42

Screenshot_20211228-205128_Chrome.jpg

Should make things interesting

**katana** · 31-12-2021, 16:13

Not sure how any company / corporation can trade mark something after its been sold, gone through several variants and been deleted from manufacturer supply chain ! ! ! Ford sort of missed the boat with that idea!

**Graham** · 31-12-2021, 16:28

intersting, i cant see they can trade mark the name alone, maybe in refernace to a car but surely thats it, afteral, Granada is a place in spain and cortina is somewhere in Itaily as is the island of capri, orion is a constalation of stars, and we all know escort has several meanings.

MST are now making MK1 and Mk2's although they very much stress they are not escorts!

**beeRS** · 31-12-2021, 19:11

Strange. Ford would normally trade mark a name well before launch. What this would mean is that anyone selling something that uses those names would be in infringement and a potential target for Ford’s solicitors. You can sell a ‘widget to fit Ford Escort’, but you can’t sell a ‘Ford Escort Widget’. Trade mark law is unlikely to ever pursue a private individual who words an ad incorrectly, but even a tiny business can be a target for the solicitors. They estimate the profits made by using ‘their’ trade marked name and demand a payment proportionally. Ask me how I know!

**Miniliteman** · 31-12-2021, 19:59

How do you know?

Ford themselves know what it costs when you use a name that is "protected" by copyright.
When they launched the new 16V engines for the Escort they were called "Zeta".
Advertisement material was already printed when Fiat said that any letter/word from the Greek alphabet used in conjunction with cars was theirs. So Ford had to rename the engine to "Zetec". Cost millions.

When VW wanted to launch the Touareg they too had advertisements ready. Then a Greek or Maroccon butcher or grocery (can't remember) said he had the name Touareg copyrighted. VW had to pay a large sum of money to get that copyright of him.

**Forest_rallying** · 31-12-2021, 21:36

I remember back in the seventies when Ford introduced their Granada model something about Granada Television in Manchester kicking off for using their name. I don't think they got very far with that complaint with the power that the Ford Motor Company had.

**prox** · 01-01-2022, 18:48

Bit more info, it does cover parts as well

https://fordauthority.com/2021/12/fo...granada-orion/

**Ken B** · 01-01-2022, 22:01

If my memory serves me correctly, Ford lost some trade names quite a few years back which they had. Not sure on the exact legal reasons now as it was long time ago. The infamous ERA brand was one they definitely had and now they dont. I believe it's something to do with usage within a time limit, and I'd guess why Ford spares in more recent times here in the UK have had FoMoCo and Motorcraft stamped on them. As a side note again a few years back, they did have spate of clamping down on traders who used the name "Ford" within their business names or to promote parts that were not made by them ie badges. I believe Europa Spares was one of many who got their pants pulled over that. Newford Parts at Chorley was such company who ended up in a legal wrangle over the use of Ford in its name. It also one of the reasons you now see Expressed Panels advertise they have official endorsement by Ford- ie a licence or read costs money to use their name basically.