Ford sues Ferrari over use of F150 name

Ford filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, saying that, "Ferrari has misappropriated the F-150 trademark in naming its new racing vehicle the 'F150' in order to capitalize on and profit from the substantial goodwill that Ford has developed in the F-150 trademark."

Ford wants Ferrari to stop using the F150 name and is also seeking damages of US$100,000 under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act. Ford claimed that when it first asked Ferrari to change the name of the Italian company's new F1 car, "Ferrari did not respond in a timely manner, leaving Ford no choice but to take legal action to protect its important brand and trademark rights."

Ferrari replied saying that it was "very difficult to understand Ford's viewpoint on the matter" as the Ferrari F150 was named to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Italy's reunification and was not a moniker that it intends to make commercially available. However, it has relented and will henceforth refer to its new F1 car as the Ferrari F150th Italia.

"Ferrari believes that its own contender in the forthcoming F1 championship cannot be confused with other types of commercially available vehicle of any sort whatsoever, nor can it give the impression that there is a link to another brand of road-going vehicle," Ferrari said in a statement.

"Despite this and to further prove it is acting in good faith...Ferrari has decided to ensure that in all areas of operation, the abbreviated version will be replaced at all times with the full version, Ferrari F150th Italia."