Australian Grand Prix Corporation To Launch Legal Action Against A1gp

**GTRMagic** · 16 Sep 2005, 11:33 (Ref:1409232)

From Australia's RaceNews service....

AGP
Sep 16 2005
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CORPORATION TO LAUNCH LEGAL ACTION AGAINST A1GP

~The Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Ronald walker today authorised proceedings to commence as a result of a break down in talks in London with A1GP’s lawyers.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) believes that A1’s use of the phrase “A1 Grand Prix” infringes the Corporation’s intellectual property rights. Accordingly AGPC has instructed its lawyers to commence proceedings to protect these rights.

Ronald Walker said “It is unfortunate that the matter has come to this, however, the Corporation must protect its valuable intellectual property in relation to the Grand Prix”.

So do we think Bernie is also helping this along a little?? Mr Walker has been a known supporter of Mr E for a very long time...

ActiveMS · 16 Sep 2005, 11:45 (Ref:1409246)

I think they are p***ing in the wind.

A1 is not a trademark, neither is the term Grand Prix.
As pointed out somewhere else, the term Grand Prix is used in all manner of sports and not solely motorsport, and I cant see how Walker can justify his action, its not as if anyone owns the term solely for motorsport use.

I say goodluck to the new championship. You never know it may end up eclipsing F1 in terms of spectators globally and probably provide some very exciting racing rather than a load of poltical b*lox.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 16 Sep 2005, 12:12 (Ref:1409271)

What exactly are they complaining about? I fail to see how anyone could mistake the Australian Grand Prix organisers for the A1GP series.

I could understand if it was an issue over A1GP calling their Aussie race the Australian Grand Prix but reading the blurb above that doesn't seem to be the issue.

Sounds like a waste of time for everyone involved.

ensign14 · 16 Sep 2005, 12:12 (Ref:1409272)

Yeah, I call shenanigans on this. Can't see him succeeding. Does Ron Walker own the phrase Australian Grand Prix? How does he cope with tennis events for example? I never got the impression Bernie wanted to squash the Sheikh, he probably does not like the idea of a competing series (albeit at different times) but he's probably more thinking how he coul nick the best aspects...certainly I don't remember any whispering campaigns.

storyline · 16 Sep 2005, 12:38 (Ref:1409292)

Bernie errr I mean Ron threatened to do the same as this a few years ago to any breakaway manufacturer F1 series - at that point in time he stated that the AGP owned the phrase 'Grand Prix' and that they would not allow anyone else to use the term.

Pity that we have a motor cycle grandprix, bicycle grand prix, swimming grand prix - in fact this weekend in South Australia there is a Human Powered Grand Prix being run - I am surprised he hasn't already taken out an injunction to stop it (a kids event by the way!)

**Woolley** · 16 Sep 2005, 12:51 (Ref:1409304)

Infuriating nonsense. Excessively rich and powerful men trying to become even richer and more powerful instead of using their wealth and power for the good of the sport. If only they realized that if they helped other areas out then everyone would benefit, and people may even start to like them as well.

Kicking-back · 16 Sep 2005, 13:46 (Ref:1409342)

Can't see this getting very far.

Oaksnaf · 16 Sep 2005, 14:24 (Ref:1409367)

Does this really relate to anything. And the concept has been known for a long time now. Why bring this up just now?

**FIRE** · 16 Sep 2005, 16:24 (Ref:1409441)

What a loser

ensign14 · 16 Sep 2005, 17:01 (Ref:1409460)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oaksnaf

Does this really relate to anything. And the concept has been known for a long time now. Why bring this up just now?

Well, he did say they'd been in meetings, and these days you do not just shoot off a writ early doors. But the time taken has screwed him for injunctive relief (i.e. an order banning them from using the term "Grand Prix") and the best he can get is likely to be damages.

jondownunder · 16 Sep 2005, 21:53 (Ref:1409621)

Sums up all I hate about Formula 1. What a pathetic man.

Chucky · 17 Sep 2005, 00:44 (Ref:1409689)

Is "Big Red" starting to lose it? Has he really divorced himself so far from reality?

I'm sure the encouraging ticket sales to date had something to do with him trying to install the odd legal barrier. Had it been a flop so far we would never have heard a word........................

I'm struggling to understand the logic behind it all. GTR can probably answer this, but what real grasp on the trademark "Grand Prix" (which doesn't apply here as they have never called themselves that in defference to Bernie) or "GP".

Will he start shutting down medical clinics? Is his next target the AMA (Aust.Medical Assoc.) for allowing it's members to use that hallowed acronym?

I'm sure this conflicted, political party bag man is going down one day in the mother of all corruption cases but until then we have to put up with this over-inflated hot air machine.

ascarmarshal · 17 Sep 2005, 07:58 (Ref:1409778)

A1GP has the backing of the FIA in both the format and the name. No one owns the words 'Grand Prix'. All Rob Walker has is the right for the title 'Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix'. How pathentic Walker is. He is justing money that could be spent better else where

Bryan Miller · 17 Sep 2005, 09:02 (Ref:1409796)

In all dealings that our Historic Formula Atlantic & European F2 Association have had with the Australian organisers the official title is '' A1 Grand Prix of Nations '' which I believe is a registered trade mark.

Bryan Miller , Historic F/Atlantic & European F2 Assoc.

Mekola · 17 Sep 2005, 16:59 (Ref:1410005)

This legal rambling about use of names is unbelievable for me...

ascarmarshal · 17 Sep 2005, 18:41 (Ref:1410036)

A1 Grand Prix has been around for a couple of years in name. It seems that this Aussie is after publicity as this news broke one week before the first A1 race at Brands Hatch. Am I being cynical in thinking this?

SALEEN S7R · 17 Sep 2005, 18:45 (Ref:1410038)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascarmarshal

It seems that this Aussie is after publicity as this news broke one week before the first A1 race at Brands Hatch. Am I being cynical in thinking this?

Not at all, IMO. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

ascarmarshal · 17 Sep 2005, 18:48 (Ref:1410040)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Not at all, IMO. I was thinking exactly the same thing.

He may also be in mourning after this past week!!!!!!!!!

Chucky · 18 Sep 2005, 03:23 (Ref:1410167)

It would be bad enough if he were huffing and puffing locally, but to take this onto an international stage is just embarassing.

grumpy · 18 Sep 2005, 07:40 (Ref:1410207)

Mr Walker will win this one.They do own the brand through the fia as do all others how run F1 GPS for car races.This is why when there is two GPS in european countries you have say european gp and german gp all in germany because the original track and company own the right to use the term grand prix.Maybe they should not have implied they were going to be bigger than F1.Take 1 out of a1gp and what do you get.It is being called A1GP in there own PR.

ascarmarshal · 18 Sep 2005, 08:17 (Ref:1410224)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy

Mr Walker will win this one.They do own the brand through the fia as do all others how run F1 GPS for car races.This is why when there is two GPS in european countries you have say european gp and german gp all in germany because the original track and company own the right to use the term grand prix.Maybe they should not have implied they were going to be bigger than F1.Take 1 out of a1gp and what do you get.It is being called A1GP in there own PR.

No one owns the rights for the term Grand Prix. Here in the UK we have a Rallycross Grand Prix, Kart Grand Prix, Moto Grand Prix, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Truck Grand Prix and that is just in motorsport. We also have Atheltics Grand Prix, Showjumping Grand Prix, Swimming Grand Prix . The words Grand Prix means 'Big Prize.' Also the FIA has allowed A1GP to use the words Grand Prix in their sanctioning of the formula. The reason you have different names for two F1 races in the same country is so that people don't get confused. CCWS also uses the term Grand Prix for some of their races and I don't see any legal action against them. This legal action is just a whinging Aussie throwing his dummy out of the pram because he hasn't got the rights for the Austrailian leg of the series.

CookieMonster · 18 Sep 2005, 08:18 (Ref:1410225)

Whether or not A1GP ever implied it was going to be bigger than F1 (did they ever do that?), Mr Walker's obviously feeling threatened by this new race series, otherwise why bother? The A1GP guys and gals must be rubbing their hands together - loads of publicity for the series, and some sort of admission from the Aus GP Corporation that the A1GP race is big enough and exciting enough to be compared to/mistaken for the Formula 1 Aus Gp!!

275 GTB-4 · 18 Sep 2005, 08:37 (Ref:1410233)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ascarmarshal

This legal action is just a whinging Aussie throwing his dummy out of the pram because he hasn't got the rights for the Austrailian leg of the series.

I object to this assertion ascar

The man is incapable of such action...I believe Bernie has probably got his arm firmly up the back of this ventriloquists dummy

storyline · 18 Sep 2005, 22:35 (Ref:1410918)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

I object to this assertion ascar

The man is incapable of such action...I believe Bernie has probably got his arm firmly up the back of this ventriloquists dummy

I really doubt this as Walker has spent too many years in politics learning to shut up tight every orifice he can

grumpy · 20 Sep 2005, 00:46 (Ref:1411838)

Extramsn. 15/9/05. personal interview with news talk zb Shiek said, aand article is headed up"A1 Shiek aims to topple F1".In Australia the AGP corparation will win thier case if they continue to use A1GP in relation to asingle seater car race.What has happened to f1 boat racing once the Shiek lost interest and went looking for another play thing

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