Nissan sues Audi over trademark

pupp1 · 03-23-2005, 05:02 AM

Nissan sues Audi over trademark
Japanese automaker claims competitor's use of Q5 and Q7 designations is illegal.
Nissan Motor Co. filed a trademark infringement suit against Audi Tuesday, claiming the German carmaker poached the letter Q for its new Q7 and Q5 sport utility vehicles.

Nissan has used Q as the first letter identifying some of its premium Infiniti vehicles -- such as the Q45 and QX4 -- since 1989. It has registered the names and a slogan "the new Q" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"Audi's immediate and threatened use of the Q5 and Q7 trademarks is likely to cause confusion, deception ... among consumers, thereby infringing Nissan's Q Marks," Nissan said in the suit filed with a U.S. District Court in Michigan.

Nissan asked the court to bar Audi from using Q7, Q5 or any other names that infringe on its 'Q Marks'. It is seeking damages from Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, and reimbursement for legal costs. Nissan officials would not specify the damages sought.
FULL STORY

**mgescuro** · 03-23-2005, 05:17 AM

Good for Nissan!

**Rex Raider** · 03-23-2005, 07:02 AM

A lawsuit like this is just advertising for Audi, paid for by Infiniti.

cyboexpo2002 · 03-23-2005, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Raider

A lawsuit like this is just advertising for Audi, paid for by Infiniti.

Indeed Rex. that's like Peuguot saying no one else can use 3 digit numbers to name a car because they've done it so long (wasn't that against BMW or something 25 yrs ago?). I hope Audi doesn't settle if only so that this case can set a precedent so we don't here a repeat of this between 2 other companies down the road.

Just goes to show how trivial these alphanumeric names are.

1BadPig · 03-23-2005, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyboexpo2002

Indeed Rex. that's like Peuguot saying no one else can use 3 digit numbers to name a car because they've done it so long (wasn't that against BMW or something 25 yrs ago?). I hope Audi doesn't settle if only so that this case can set a precedent so we don't here a repeat of this between 2 other companies down the road.

Just goes to show how trivial these alphanumeric names are.

It was Porsche. The original 911 was designated as 901 but Peugeut had the 90X convention so Porsche changed it to 911. Prior to that Porsche had a race car with the designation of 907.

sagethemonkeyboy · 03-23-2005, 07:35 AM

thats what they get for naming there cars by flinging alphabet soup on the wall. i like most the names that gm gives its cars like Cobalt & Solctice

New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66 · 03-23-2005, 07:41 AM

What about Q-Tips, or the guy Q-Tip or James Bond's friend 'Q' or 'Q' as in Quincy Jones. Just thought I would throw that out.

1BadPig · 03-23-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66

What about Q-Tips, or the guy Q-Tip or James Bond's friend 'Q' or 'Q' as in Quincy Jones. Just thought I would throw that out.

Haven't you heard? The reason "Q" was written off James Bond is because Nissan sued Ian Flemming for the use of the name!

69nova · 03-23-2005, 08:13 AM

Well, didn't Paris Hilton copyright the phrase " That's hot"? After it has been around for umpteen years?

dawtcalm · 03-23-2005, 08:15 AM

You can't copyright ONE letter, I've already tried, I was hoping to copyright ALL 26 and then sue EVERYONE using my letters....

But my attempt to take over the world failed, you're free to use all the letters in the alphabet but I ain't happy about it...

jlt0x · 03-23-2005, 08:45 AM

Not taking sides, but...

What about "M"? Infinity has M (M35, M45), while BMW has M3, M5, M6.

Had these two companies clashed over copyrights before? If so, who won?

Darc Requiem · 03-23-2005, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlt0x

Not taking sides, but...

What about "M"? Infinity has M (M35, M45), while BMW has M3, M5, M6.

Had these two companies clashed over copyrights before? If so, who won?

Very good point. I think Audi's lawyer's will bring up that very point and either the case will be thrown out or Nissan will be barred from using M

D C · 03-23-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Raider

A lawsuit like this is just advertising for Audi, paid for by Infiniti.

Didn't know there was an Audi Q-anything until I just read this!

Tiger · 03-23-2005, 09:54 AM

Nissan has lost their minds. "It's my letter and you can't have it!"

HEMI300C · 03-23-2005, 09:59 AM

What's ironic is that one of the reasons why car companies started using alphanumeric names is that they're less likely to infringe on other people's trademarks, so naming cars would be easier. Now since everyone went that route, they've run into the very problem they were trying to avoid.

Maybe this will get them to use words again. Audi Overlord has a nice ring to it.

03-23-2005, 05:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
pupp1 News Contributor Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,141	Nissan sues Audi over trademark Nissan sues Audi over trademark Japanese automaker claims competitor's use of Q5 and Q7 designations is illegal. Nissan Motor Co. filed a trademark infringement suit against Audi Tuesday, claiming the German carmaker poached the letter Q for its new Q7 and Q5 sport utility vehicles. Nissan has used Q as the first letter identifying some of its premium Infiniti vehicles -- such as the Q45 and QX4 -- since 1989. It has registered the names and a slogan "the new Q" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. "Audi's immediate and threatened use of the Q5 and Q7 trademarks is likely to cause confusion, deception ... among consumers, thereby infringing Nissan's Q Marks," Nissan said in the suit filed with a U.S. District Court in Michigan. Nissan asked the court to bar Audi from using Q7, Q5 or any other names that infringe on its 'Q Marks'. It is seeking damages from Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, and reimbursement for legal costs. Nissan officials would not specify the damages sought. FULL STORY

03-23-2005, 05:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
mgescuro GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 24,339	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark Good for Nissan! __________________ 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero 1995 Mercedes C280 1994 Jaguar XJ6 ...when all hope is gone, you know sad songs say so much... My Vision of Cadillac My Vision of Cadillac (REDUX)

03-23-2005, 07:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rex Raider Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2009 Camry Hybrid (company car) Posts: 11,787	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark A lawsuit like this is just advertising for Audi, paid for by Infiniti. __________________ Sure, I drive a Toyota, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

03-23-2005, 07:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
sagethemonkeyboy 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 48	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark thats what they get for naming there cars by flinging alphabet soup on the wall. i like most the names that gm gives its cars like Cobalt & Solctice

03-23-2005, 07:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (formerly sunny New Mexico (y muchacho lo falto)) Drives: '02 Corvette Z06, '01 Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab, 19 Posts: 5,673	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark What about Q-Tips, or the guy Q-Tip or James Bond's friend 'Q' or 'Q' as in Quincy Jones. Just thought I would throw that out. __________________ 1979 Chevy Van 1978 Pontiac Firebird 1985 GMC S-15 Jimmy 1992 Pontiac Grand Am 1998 Oldmobile Intrigue 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 1972 Chevrolet C-10 P/U 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab "Sometimes you gotta say, 'What the *******'. "What the ******* gives you freedom, freedom creates opportunity, ... opportunity - makes your future." - 'Risky Business' 1983

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03-23-2005, 08:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
69nova 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,287	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark Well, didn't Paris Hilton copyright the phrase " That's hot"? After it has been around for umpteen years?

03-23-2005, 08:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
dawtcalm 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oshawa Drives: 2004 Cadillac CTS<br>2003 Chevy Cavalier Z24 Posts: 211	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark You can't copyright ONE letter, I've already tried, I was hoping to copyright ALL 26 and then sue EVERYONE using my letters.... But my attempt to take over the world failed, you're free to use all the letters in the alphabet but I ain't happy about it... __________________ 2004 Cadillac CTS - 1SA Black Raven w/ V-Grill & 19" ICON polished rims + General Tires UHP Tires.

03-23-2005, 08:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
jlt0x 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 599	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark Not taking sides, but... What about "M"? Infinity has M (M35, M45), while BMW has M3, M5, M6. Had these two companies clashed over copyrights before? If so, who won?

03-23-2005, 09:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
Tiger 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Denver, CO USA Drives: Sold the 04 Avalanche! Posts: 1,425	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark Nissan has lost their minds. "It's my letter and you can't have it!" __________________ "Eli got lucky..." - CobaltSSCrazy on 2/4/2008

03-23-2005, 09:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
HEMI300C Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 439	Re: Nissan sues Audi over trademark What's ironic is that one of the reasons why car companies started using alphanumeric names is that they're less likely to infringe on other people's trademarks, so naming cars would be easier. Now since everyone went that route, they've run into the very problem they were trying to avoid. Maybe this will get them to use words again. Audi Overlord has a nice ring to it.

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