Australian Grand Prix Corporation To Launch Legal Action Against A1gp

[ensign14]

Dry run to deal with a Group of 7 Grand Prix???

[Hapul]

Throwing all patriotism out the window, I say australia doesn't deserve a round of the series.

Would you value a round at E.C (syd.) or would it be just as good elsewhere (I mean overseas)?

[cybersdorf]

A1 is in fact a trademark, but not in Australia.
www.a1.net (remember the A1-Ring?) - so if they aren't complaining then I don't see what anyone else should have to complain about.

[Oaksnaf]

Originally Posted by Hapul

Throwing all patriotism out the window, I say australia doesn't deserve a round of the series.

Would you value a round at E.C (syd.) or would it be just as good elsewhere (I mean overseas)?

It comes down to money, Eastern Creek and Alan Jones have come up trumps. And getting in early has a lot to do with it. Surely Australia couldn't have gone without having a round for promotional purposes and marketing value etc etc. And im sure A1GP realised its concept might be better off in Australia than some other countries.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by cybersdorf

A1 is in fact a trademark, but not in Australia.
www.a1.net (remember the A1-Ring?) - so if they aren't complaining then I don't see what anyone else should have to complain about.

Free publicity. So why would they complain?

[ascarmarshal]

Originally Posted by grumpy

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

What about GP2? I stand to be corrected but doesn't the initials 'GP' mean Grand Prix? GP2 is a single seater championship sanctioned by the FIA like A1GP.

In an interview today the Shiek has said that he is not in competition with F1.

[Chucky]

Originally Posted by grumpy

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

Ah, not quite, Grumpy. Their is already a precedent in place back from the first Indy on the Gold Coast. Remember how it was originally called the Indy GP? Well the Adelaide GP people went after them only to find out that they had as much claim to that trademark as anyone. Hell, even Red Bull have used the word for their charity billycart race.

[Armco Bender]

Easy fix,just call it the AAA1GP.

Isn't this just an Aussie thing,as you won't find Burger King there because someone else has flogged the name and trademarked it.

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

Easy fix,just call it the AAA1GP.

Isn't this just an Aussie thing,as you won't find Burger King there because someone else has flogged the name and trademarked it.

Actually, I think it was the Australian franchisee who did that! They had a big fight about it in the Supreme Court of New South Wales about 10 years ago - went to the Court of Appeal, IIRC.

IMO, even if the term "Grand Prix" is not trade marked in Australia, and I'm going to assume that it is not based upon people's posts above, the question is whether the ordinary person is likely to be misled or deceived into thinking that the A1GP, based on its use of "Grand Prix", is affiliated, sponsored by or endorsed by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. People have cited the use of "Grand Prix" in respect of the motorbikes at Phillip Island, but remember that the AGPC also is the promoter of that event.

Having thought about it, I'm not surprised that Ron is taking this action. People might see the A1GP race and think it is being promoted by the AGPC or it is somehow affiliated with the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne. Depending on the evidence that would be produced at trial, it might have some legs, though ultimately, I don't really see it being successful as I think the A1GP promoters can point to the advertising they've done, etc., that shows it is a different event from those promoted by the AGPC.

Observing how Ron Walker operates, I wouldn't be surprised if there is an ulterior motive behind this and the legal action is being taken as a leverage.

[Chucky]

It has no legs at all. It's the same fight the Adelaide GP Corp. had with the Gold Coast Indy 15 years ago. That went nowhere then just as this will not get past being one of "Big Red's" temper tantrums (or dodgy gurillea marketing, which ever way you look at it).