How much is a letter worth?

[Altezza]

Another name game, but this time involving BMW and Infiniti.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060130/FREE/60130001/1041



How much is a letter worth? When it comes to branding hot cars, BMW says it has invested at least $260.7 million internationally over nearly 30 years promoting its M series.

So it took offense when a Nissan Canada ad campaign used "the M is coming" - with a capital M and a Nissan logo - to advertise the Infiniti M35 and M45.

BMW sued Nissan in Canada's federal court, alleging trademark infringement. It says it fears even aficionados could confuse Nissan and BMW cars.

But BMW has not produced any evidence of harm, the judge noted in denying BMW's request for an injunction to stop the ads.

No proof, no injunction.

The judge, acknowledging the importance of the M cachet to BMW, told the companies the case would be heard as soon as possible, perhaps late this year.

[FiveFreshFish]

It says it fears even aficionados could confuse Nissan and BMW cars.

If you confuse a Nissan and a BMW, you're NOT an aficionado.

[lastprodigy]

I would expect this of an american company...but not the bavarians.

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by FiveFreshFish
If you confuse a Nissan and a BMW, you're NOT an aficionado.


oh come on...I love my QX330Ci...

[Weapon_R]

Originally posted by FiveFreshFish

If you confuse a Nissan and a BMW, you're NOT an aficionado.

:werd:

Nissan will never be on par with the real Euros

[Xtrema]

Unless Nissan put "///M is coming" on the ad, I don't see why and how BMW owns the letter M?

[JordanLotoski]

^^ I agreed...its a letter

my ansesters (spelling) invented the alphabet, iam suing everyone!!!

[lastprodigy]

Originally posted by Xtrema
Unless Nissan put "///M is coming" on the ad, I don't see why and how BMW owns the letter M?

I guess if someone were to put AMG is coming or something thatn it would be obvious. The fact that M is more universal gives BMW less of a case with it and the odds of someone else naming it that are greater. The whole thing is stupid IMO.

[Sunburst_Spec_V]

Nissan should sue BMW over the letter Z.

[iceburns288]

Originally posted by Sunburst_Spec_V
Nissan should sue BMW over the letter Z.

They did. That's why this suit came up, it's BMW's attempt at getting back.

[hampstor]

wow, daimler needs to sue Antec (the company case company)...

Quite a few of the models start with SLK and there was a 1080AMG :rofl:

[Speed_Dreams]

What about anything with the number 2? the 240sx 200sx 280zx?
or the number 3? 318i or the 300ZX what is the world coming to.

you Can't put a copywrite on the alphabet because EVERYONE has to use it.

How much an i goign to get Sued because i types the letter "m" in this post?

[EstoMax]

Originally posted by hampstor
wow, daimler needs to sue Antec (the company case company)...

Quite a few of the models start with SLK and there was a 1080AMG :rofl:

haha i was thinkin the same thing

SLK example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150

AMG example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129159

[nich148_9]

Originally posted by Weapon_R


:werd:

Nissan will never be on par with the real Euros

Yup. That's what I try to explain to my peers, but I'm losing.

[FatboyTheHungry]

A lawsuit that brings attention to their product may be exactly what BMW wants... It gets attention and gives them an opportunity to point out that their //M branding is the original and serves as a great advertising medium.

[three.eighteen.]

Originally posted by MIWYFSHOT
^^ I agreed...its a letter

my ansesters (spelling) invented the alphabet, iam suing everyone!!!

your phoenician ancestors are rolling over in their graves right now :rofl:

[projekz]

Originally posted by FatboyTheHungry
A lawsuit that brings attention to their product may be exactly what BMW wants... It gets attention and gives them an opportunity to point out that their //M branding is the original and serves as a great advertising medium.

couldn've said better myself.