Latest news with #Testarossa
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ferrari Just Won Back the Rights to ‘Testarossa' After a 7-Year Legal Battle
Ferrari came dangerously close to losing the rights to one of its most iconic names. But now, the courts have ruled in its favor. After several years of legal wrangling with a German toy company, the legendary badge remains in Maranello's hands. While Ferrari's business model may rub some enthusiasts the wrong way, it's hard not to be glad they won this round. In Italian, Testarossa translates to "red head". In the autosphere, Testarossa is synonymous with Ferrari, referring to one of their most beautiful creations ever. The long, wide, side-straked wedge from the 1980s. Some argue it's even prettier than the new Ferrari Amalfi. But since 2017, Ferrari no longer holds the rights to the name. That's because Autec AG, a toy company based in Germany, applied to register "Testarossa" for its own products. The company argued that Ferrari hadn't used the Testarossa name in a 'general use' for over five years, which could result in cancellation under EU law. Ferrari fought back, but in 2023, the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) upheld the original decision. The board found that selling replacement parts and accessories wasn't enough to qualify as 'general use' of the trademark. Fortunately, the story didn't end there. On July 2, 2024, seven years after the original case, the EU General Court overruled the earlier decisions. Because pre-owned Testarossas are sold through Ferrari's official resale network, Maranello may retain the original trademark, stating that "when reselling second-hand goods, such use is capable of constituting 'genuine use' of that mark within the meaning." In the court's eyes, this was more than enough to prove the name hadn't been abandoned, even though the last new model to carry it rolled out of Maranello in 1991. The decision marks a win not just for Ferrari, but for other automakers who continue to support their vintage models without putting the nameplates back into production. And if Ferrari ever decides to bring back the Testarossa name, it'll be doing so with the full weight of its heritage, and now, with the legal rights to match. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Ferrari Just Won Back the Rights to ‘Testarossa' After a 7-Year Legal Battle
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Ferrari came dangerously close to losing the rights to one of its most iconic names. But now, the courts have ruled in its favor. After several years of legal wrangling with a German toy company, the legendary badge remains in Maranello's hands. While Ferrari's business model may rub some enthusiasts the wrong way, it's hard not to be glad they won this round. The Battle Over the Testarossa Name Source: Bring a Trailer In Italian, Testarossa translates to 'red head'. In the autosphere, Testarossa is synonymous with Ferrari, referring to one of their most beautiful creations ever. The long, wide, side-straked wedge from the 1980s. Some argue it's even prettier than the new Ferrari Amalfi. But since 2017, Ferrari no longer holds the rights to the name. That's because Autec AG, a toy company based in Germany, applied to register 'Testarossa' for its own products. The company argued that Ferrari hadn't used the Testarossa name in a 'general use' for over five years, which could result in cancellation under EU law. Ferrari fought back, but in 2023, the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) upheld the original decision. The board found that selling replacement parts and accessories wasn't enough to qualify as 'general use' of the trademark. How Ferrari Turned the Case Around Source: Bring a Trailer Fortunately, the story didn't end there. On July 2, 2024, seven years after the original case, the EU General Court overruled the earlier decisions. Because pre-owned Testarossas are sold through Ferrari's official resale network, Maranello may retain the original trademark, stating that 'when reselling second-hand goods, such use is capable of constituting 'genuine use' of that mark within the meaning.' In the court's eyes, this was more than enough to prove the name hadn't been abandoned, even though the last new model to carry it rolled out of Maranello in 1991. A Win for Heritage and Trademarks Source: Bring a Trailer The decision marks a win not just for Ferrari, but for other automakers who continue to support their vintage models without putting the nameplates back into production. And if Ferrari ever decides to bring back the Testarossa name, it'll be doing so with the full weight of its heritage, and now, with the legal rights to match. About the Author Marnus Moolman View Profile
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ferrari wins back rights to Testarossa brand at EU court
HighlightsFerrari successfully regained rights to the Testarossa brand name after the European Union's General Court ruled that the company's usage of the trademark was sufficient. The European Union's Intellectual Property Office had previously revoked Ferrari's rights in 2023, claiming the company did not engage in 'genuine use' of the trademark for a continuous five-year period. The Testarossa model, known for its association with the 1980s television series 'Miami Vice', was produced by Ferrari from 1984 to 1996, and the brand's rights were contested by the head of German toy manufacturer Autec. Ferrari on Wednesday scored a win at the EU's second-highest court, which said the luxury sportscar maker had been wrongfully stripped off the rights to the Testarossa brand name. Ferrari's rights on the mark were revoked in 2023 by the European Union's Intellectual Property Office , which said the company had not put them to "genuine use" for a continuous period of five years between 2010 and 2015. But the EU's General Court annulled that decision, stating that Ferrari had used the trade mark, through giving explicit or implied approval to dealers selling second-hand Testarossas and through licensing the brand for scale models. "The use of the trademark to guarantee the identity of the origin of the goods for which it was registered, when reselling second-hand goods is capable of constituting genuine use," the court said. Ferrari built its iconic Testarossa cars, made famous by the 1980s TV show 'Miami Vice', between 1984 and 1996, and now only second-hand models are available. Its rights to the brand name had been challenged by the head of German toy maker Autec .
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Ferrari wins EU court case to reclaim Testarossa trademark rights
Ferrari on Wednesday scored a win at the EU's second-highest court, which said the luxury sportscar maker had been wrongfully stripped of the rights to the Testarossa brand name. Ferrari's rights on the mark were revoked in 2023 by the EU's Intellectual Property Office, which said the company had not put them to 'genuine use' for a continuous period of five years between 2010 and 2015. But the EU's General Court annulled that decision, stating that Ferrari had used the trademark, through giving explicit or implied approval to dealers selling second-hand Testarossas and through licensing the brand for scale models. 'The use of the trademark to guarantee the identity of the origin of the goods for which it was registered, when reselling second-hand goods is capable of constituting genuine use,' the court said. Ferrari built its iconic Testarossa cars, made famous by the 1980s TV show Miami Vice, between 1984 and 1996, and now only second-hand models are available. Its rights to the brand name had been challenged by the head of German toymaker Autec.
Reuters
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
Ferrari wins back rights to Testarossa brand at EU court
AMSTERDAM, July 2 (Reuters) - Ferrari ( opens new tab on Wednesday scored a win at the EU's second-highest court, which said the luxury sportscar maker had been wrongfully stripped off the rights to the Testarossa brand name. Ferrari's rights on the mark were revoked in 2023 by the European Union's Intellectual Property Office, which said the company had not put them to "genuine use" for a continuous period of five years between 2010 and 2015. But the EU's General Court annulled that decision, stating that Ferrari had used the trade mark, through giving explicit or implied approval to dealers selling second-hand Testarossas and through licensing the brand for scale models. "The use of the trademark to guarantee the identity of the origin of the goods for which it was registered, when reselling second-hand goods is capable of constituting genuine use," the court said. Ferrari built its iconic Testarossa cars, made famous by the 1980s TV show 'Miami Vice', between 1984 and 1996, and now only second-hand models are available. Its rights to the brand name had been challenged by the head of German toy maker Autec.
