GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => Topic started by: Wizzo on July 24, 2007, 03:11:47 PM
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Formula One Licensing has failed in a bid to gain exclusive control of the descriptor 'F1'.
FOL, which is the brand exploitation division of the Formula One group run by Bernie Ecclestone, made a trademark application for the abbreviation for a range of goods to the UK Trademark Registry.
The application was opposed by the French racing website Racing-Live SA.
Autoweek reports that the UK Trademark Registry ruled against FOL, citing the definition of the 'F1' abbreviation on the influential online encyclopedia Wikipedia.
The judge agreed with Racing-Live that 'F1' is indeed a generic term.
"The evidence, furnished by both sides, in no way suggests that the ordinary, original meaning of 'F1', as a type of motorcar race and as a description of the cars that compete in it, has been displaced," David Landau explained.
He added: "I do not see that a group currently having the exclusive rights to the commercial exploitation of F1, under the auspice of the FIA, alters that."
"The evidence shows that F1 is not registrable as a trademark."
This is really annoying as the FOL threatened to sue me if I did not change the name of this site (it was originally called F1Wizard) even though I was promoting the sport with no financial gain. I also know of several other sites who have closed under legal pressure from the FOL over the use of the term F1!! >:D
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It is good news, however, Wizard, although I can understand how annoying it must be for you. The way F1 is owned by huge corporations with no real interest in the sport is just wrong in my view and this is a small victory for the little guy. F1 really belongs to those who participate in the races and the fans who have supported it through its long history. The fact that faceless investment companies now make obscene profits from the sport is at the heart of all that is wrong with F1.
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Hoorah!
Last time I looked at the trademark site, this application was pending - guess what that stopped me doing!
Noticed this reported in a sidebar in Autosport last week (about ¾ of column inches) - I wouldn't expect Autosport to make to much of a deal about it though (I consider Haymarket to be one only vaguely distinguishable from the devil incarnate!). Whereas I think it has great implications for fans (consumers), particpants and other interested parties alike.
On a separate tack I noticed our forum advertised in the Autosport web directory last week. It may be interesting to compare notes at somepoint, Wiz, as I avertised in the same place last year. Currently I only run my ad in Motorsport each month.
Oh! and I've finally gotten around to linking to here from my site's links list (quality over quantity, you see!).
David
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So Wiz, when we going back to being F1Wizard ?