Click for more Cobra.
AC Cars, arguably Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer, and Acedes Holdings, have prevailed in a legal challenge from Clive Sutton Limited about the ownership of the AC Cobra name in a London High Court. As a result, AC Cars retains the UK trademark of the AC Cobra name for automobiles, cars and sports cars.
“We are delighted with the judgment, as it vindicates our desire and commitment to protecting our trademarks and intellectual property, and not to allow imitators of our products to benefit from our heritage,” said David Conza, CEO of AC Cars.
“However, more importantly we are protecting our customers who own genuine AC Cobra cars. We have invested heavily in the development of new products, including the recently announced AC Cobra GT Roadster, and there will be other models following this car,” said Conza.
Sutton had filed a counterclaim suit after AC Cars defended its trademark over the import of “imitation cars” by the London dealer in late 2021 and early 2022 and advertising cars as ‘Cobras.’
UK rules say that all cars must be registered in the year in which they were manufactured. If any vehicle is imported as a historic vehicle, different rules apply in terms of certification, VAT and Duty.
Sutton sought to have the AC Cobra trademark expunged from the trademarks register. alleging that AC Cars’ trademark of the AC Cobra name was invalid because of Ford Motor Company’s claimed prior rights, and due to non-use by AC Cars. Both of these claims were rejected in the final ruling by Judge Richard Hacon.
During the case Clive Sutton Limited was supported by Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc and Superformance LLC, both of the USA. It was not immediately clear if appeals are possible.
“As the legitimate owner of the AC Cobra brand in the UK for all cars, AC Cars will continue to fiercely protect the authenticity of genuine AC-badged cars, and the investment its customers make. The company will fight imitators or companies passing products off as genuine, to keep the heritage of the Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer intact,” AC Cars said.
AC Cars
The Weller Brothers established what is now Britain’s oldest vehicle manufacturer in 1901, producing cars and motorbikes from their workshop in West Norwood, London. The nascent company produced its first vehicle in 1903, but the Autocarrier was introduced a year later, from which the name AC was later derived. This was the first three-wheel commercial delivery vehicle and proved an instant success.
However, the AC Ace bolstered the company’s status following its launch in 1953. With an aluminum body designed and built by Eric George Gray, it gained the respect of racing enthusiasts for its everyday practicality and racing pace. This was the car which would evolve to incorporate the Ford V8 and become the AC Cobra.
Over the years, the AC Cobra has endured, with production limited. It’s for for “exclusive clientele,” in Brit speak. With its own facilities in the UK and Germany, AC Cars is working with industry suppliers for the AC Cobra GT Roadster’s design and development.
The new car represents the return of European production for the company’s vehicles. In addition to its new Donington HQ, AC Cars says it will continue to expand its development and production capabilities in the UK.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
AC Cars Wins Right to AC Cobra Name
Click for more Cobra.
AC Cars, arguably Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer, and Acedes Holdings, have prevailed in a legal challenge from Clive Sutton Limited about the ownership of the AC Cobra name in a London High Court. As a result, AC Cars retains the UK trademark of the AC Cobra name for automobiles, cars and sports cars.
“We are delighted with the judgment, as it vindicates our desire and commitment to protecting our trademarks and intellectual property, and not to allow imitators of our products to benefit from our heritage,” said David Conza, CEO of AC Cars.
“However, more importantly we are protecting our customers who own genuine AC Cobra cars. We have invested heavily in the development of new products, including the recently announced AC Cobra GT Roadster, and there will be other models following this car,” said Conza.
Sutton had filed a counterclaim suit after AC Cars defended its trademark over the import of “imitation cars” by the London dealer in late 2021 and early 2022 and advertising cars as ‘Cobras.’
UK rules say that all cars must be registered in the year in which they were manufactured. If any vehicle is imported as a historic vehicle, different rules apply in terms of certification, VAT and Duty.
Sutton sought to have the AC Cobra trademark expunged from the trademarks register. alleging that AC Cars’ trademark of the AC Cobra name was invalid because of Ford Motor Company’s claimed prior rights, and due to non-use by AC Cars. Both of these claims were rejected in the final ruling by Judge Richard Hacon.
During the case Clive Sutton Limited was supported by Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc and Superformance LLC, both of the USA. It was not immediately clear if appeals are possible.
“As the legitimate owner of the AC Cobra brand in the UK for all cars, AC Cars will continue to fiercely protect the authenticity of genuine AC-badged cars, and the investment its customers make. The company will fight imitators or companies passing products off as genuine, to keep the heritage of the Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer intact,” AC Cars said.
AC Cars
The Weller Brothers established what is now Britain’s oldest vehicle manufacturer in 1901, producing cars and motorbikes from their workshop in West Norwood, London. The nascent company produced its first vehicle in 1903, but the Autocarrier was introduced a year later, from which the name AC was later derived. This was the first three-wheel commercial delivery vehicle and proved an instant success.
However, the AC Ace bolstered the company’s status following its launch in 1953. With an aluminum body designed and built by Eric George Gray, it gained the respect of racing enthusiasts for its everyday practicality and racing pace. This was the car which would evolve to incorporate the Ford V8 and become the AC Cobra.
Over the years, the AC Cobra has endured, with production limited. It’s for for “exclusive clientele,” in Brit speak. With its own facilities in the UK and Germany, AC Cars is working with industry suppliers for the AC Cobra GT Roadster’s design and development.
The new car represents the return of European production for the company’s vehicles. In addition to its new Donington HQ, AC Cars says it will continue to expand its development and production capabilities in the UK.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.