When is a lotus not a lotus?

[opinionated ow]

Apparently when Proton says it isn't:

Mr. Fernandes indicates that Tune Group has acquired the rights to the name "Team Lotus" from a business formerly owned by David Hunt called Team Lotus Ventures Limited.

Group Lotus believes these rights to have no proper legal foundation, a fact of which Mr. Fernandes was well aware when his company purchased them.

PROTON will support Group Lotus in taking all necessary steps to protect its rights in the "Lotus" name, including resisting any attempts by Mr. Fernandes or his companies, or any other unauthorised person, to use the "Lotus" name in the 2011 Formula 1 season."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87038

time for the popcorn-it's Malaysian v Malaysian over an iconic British brand. Ahhh don't you love post-imperial commonwealth business?

The chairman must have some serious clout in Malaysia. His name has two 'Mohd' in it. From my understanding from workin with Malaysian students, 'Mohd' in Malaysia is as important as 'Maktoum' in the UAE.

[SteveH]

I believe there should be a ceremonial burning of a Lotus liveried car at each Formula 1 race for the rest of the season.

[Rogue Leader]

Apparently when Proton says it isn't:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87038

time for the popcorn-it's Malaysian v Malaysian over an iconic British brand. Ahhh don't you love post-imperial commonwealth business?

The chairman must have some serious clout in Malaysia. His name has two 'Mohd' in it. From my understanding from workin with Malaysian students, 'Mohd' in Malaysia is as important as 'Maktoum' in the UAE.

These guys have gone from my favorite new team to... well I don't know how to pin them yet but after reading an article on Fernandes buying the "Team Lotus" name yesterday and his justification behind it it all sounds really shady. They look like they are the only new team to really have their s**** together, yet they were adamant about breaking the deal with Cosworth when they seemed like the only one that was having a problem (Williams is VERY competitive with the same engine/gearbox, and none of the same issues). Then he basically justified his buying of the "Team Lotus" name and breaking his deal with Group Lotus as the fact that the Lotus racing cars and Lotus factory weren't in direct relation like Ferrari is. Yeah that may have worked in the 60's when intellectual property and trademarks weren't such a big deal, AND the fact that both groups were run by the same guy. Overall the whole thing smells funny

[racer2c]

I hate green cars. I'm sure their ROI is waay better in the IRL anyway.:gomer:

[opinionated ow]

This stuff is just brilliant.

Sniff Petrol got into the act today:

‘Lotus is not going to let Lotus trade off the Lotus name that Lotus has built up,’ said Lotus spokesman Alan Lotus. ‘Lotus had an agreement with Lotus but Lotus has not honoured the terms of the Lotus agreement,’ Lotus continued. ‘For that reason Lotus shall no longer be permitting Lotus to use the Lotus-registered Lotus name of Lotus.’
http://sniffpetrol.com/2010/09/29/lotus-and-lotus-fight-over-lotus/

[Methanolandbrats]

Sniff even weighs in on Hamilton v Webber :rofl:

http://sniffpetrol.com/2010/09/28/d-i-blundell-files-a-report-from-singapore-2010/

[BarillaGirl]

:thumbup::thumbup:

[Gnam]

Ello ‘ello ‘ello. What's all this then? :rofl:

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[pchall]

When it's Proton?

[cameraman]

Here is an almost lucid explanation of who's on first.

F1 Technical (http://www.f1technical.net/news/15489?sid=bd4e0536733f7670860a055665fc0e1c)

[jimclark]

'Really simple...Colin's gone; there will never be a real http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/1b/Lotus_logo.png/80px-Lotus_logo.png again. :shakehead

[STD]

Something the current badge owners, who ever they are, will ever do.

http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/112008-2015-carprofilel5.jpg

[gjc2]

When is a Lotus not a Lotus??? When is a Maserati not a Maserati, when is a Bugatti not a Bugatti, etc.?

I never liked the idea of resurrecting a name from the past then marketing a product with no other connection to the original company.

[pchall]

Chapman was a enormous talent. Too bad there are no giants in the sport these days.


Something the current badge owners, who ever they are, will ever do.

http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/112008-2015-carprofilel5.jpg