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GM sues Ohio company for rare 'Vette replicas

Detroit News -- he 1963 Corvette Grand Sport roadster is the rarest and arguably most important Corvette model ever made. Only five were built, and they sell for millions at auction.
But an Ohio company is being sued by General Motors for churning out replica versions that sell for less than $90,000.
The lawsuit was filed this month in U.S. District Court against Mongoose Motorsports LLC of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, which specializes in building replica 1984-88 GTP models and the legendary Grand Sport.

GM is suing for trademark infringement, claiming the iconic brand has been irreparably harmed by the ersatz sports cars, which the automaker says copy the Corvette's design -- curve for curve.
GM wants a judge to bar the company from making and selling models using the Corvette design.

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Submitted Mar 22, 2010 By: fordmexico

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afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:4,390 Points:313,750 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:46:44 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Will this make the price of oil or gas go down or up????
Hunter724 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,220 Points:672,170 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:41:35 AM Ignore Hunter724 Report Abuse Waste of $$$$$$
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,623 Points:528,455 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:41:05 AM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse just sell cars
Metroman Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,202 Points:1,647,470 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:36:42 AM Ignore Metroman Report Abuse There have been knockoff of the Cobra, almost since it was made and they haven't hurt the value of the real ones.
PADI Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,428 Points:527,175 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:35:01 AM Ignore PADI Report Abuse How is some company building replicas, going to affect the price of the original five that were built? This is absurd.
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:3,706 Points:663,835 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:32:33 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse Stuff it.GM
no_monkey2002 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,798 Points:1,126,115 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:24:43 AM Ignore no_monkey2002 Report Abuse is this ok with the taxpayers who own gm
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,696 Points:249,870 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:21:53 AM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse The only thing a mongoose does is crap all over our freshly washed vehicles.
MS_steve Veteran Author Mississippi Posts:258 Points:458,535 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:17:49 AM Ignore MS_steve Report Abuse Just another reason I'll never buy another GM. A little bit sue happy. I'll just assume the replicas are better quality than the originals.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,105 Points:1,480,110 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:14:28 AM Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse As crazy as it sounds, GM may have a case.
ArmydudeNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,210 Points:404,100 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:09:46 AM Ignore ArmydudeNC Report Abuse Must be part of GM's new strategy to turn a profit and give their lawyers some work.
akalurimd Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,919 Points:1,739,710 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:07:50 AM Ignore akalurimd Report Abuse i guess this is another way GM can make money!
14of45SSR Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:2,118 Points:476,100 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:06:50 AM Ignore 14of45SSR Report Abuse Ummm...there are Lamborghini Replicas so why not Corvette Replicas? Personally I wouldn't buy a Replica & I do agree it devalues the original...However if you're aloud to replicate one thing, why not all things provided it is known to the people buying them? I could see this being a problem in the future when people are looking for the originals & mistakenly buy a replica for the price of the original!
fratt Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:4,954 Points:1,672,180 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 5:03:51 AM Ignore fratt Report Abuse Probably made better than what Government Motors can make!
BigDogOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,552 Points:833,365 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:53:45 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse Government Motor/UAW dose not like competition
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,010 Points:581,850 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:44:49 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse One would think that any company that would go to the expense to "tool and die" the production necessary for such a venture would BEGIN by seeking the NECESSARY approvals from GM and any other pertinent entities.
wegman Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,928 Points:1,129,705 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:40:14 AM Ignore wegman Report Abuse Sounds like an arcane copyright case. But why build only five of a car - you lose the advantages of mass production and economy of scale - unless your intent is to build a status symbol and not a practical vehicle. And I'm still confused why ANYONE would want a Corvette! A very silly car.
harleydoctor Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,495 Points:966,930 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:27:15 AM Ignore harleydoctor Report Abuse I'm waiting to hear more from GOVERNMENT motors......
NotTom Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:2,399 Points:728,085 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:23:24 AM Ignore NotTom Report Abuse It will be interesting to watch what happens in the courts.
neemund Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,466 Points:579,395 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:02:58 AM Ignore neemund Report Abuse I highly doubt anyone is buying one of these thinking it's original. With 5 ever built it would not be that difficult to track down the owners of these 5 if they all still exist. Have they violated trademarks? Maybe. But with GM now being owned by the government, doesn't all of their intellectual property instantly become public domain?
Chasms Champion Author Orange County Posts:20,308 Points:1,690,150 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 4:01:54 AM Ignore Chasms Report Abuse hank1326: "Time to vote them out of the office before it is too late for us!" WHY? So the next fancy-talking LIAR can learn how to play the DC games?? This country is broken beyond a miracle repair! READ what the Declaration Of Independence says about a "corrupt government". Or as I said as a mechanic of most people who fixed their own car: "It's ''Fixed'' so it can't ever be fixed properly."
computernut2008 Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,671 Points:402,415 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:54:02 AM Ignore computernut2008 Report Abuse wonder if it's better than GM's
SilliesRock Veteran Author Detroit Posts:456 Points:444,800 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:53:01 AM Ignore SilliesRock Report Abuse EXCEPT GM doesn't make them and any copyright infringement ran out decades ago. Now they squander taxpayer dollars on their legal department.
ndhoanggia All-Star Author New York Posts:696 Points:215,505 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:52:40 AM Ignore ndhoanggia Report Abuse Come on people! Gas price related news please!
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,543 Points:893,945 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:47:44 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse Seems to me that the patents on a '63 would have run out by now !!!
HA4CNN All-Star Author Toronto Posts:996 Points:597,315 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:46:13 AM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse I see suing in the great ole USA is stil a live and well.
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:2,106 Points:1,585,045 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:37:49 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse How much do you want for the Vett "MDTDriver"?
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:3,832 Points:719,030 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:37:32 AM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Creeps for the taxpayer keeping the GM alive [Edited by: nurdco at 3/22/2010 3:38:09 AM EST]
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,111 Points:773,975 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:26:48 AM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Huge ditto to Chasms. GM blowing away our money. I am sick to my stomach with the morons in DC. Time to vote them out of the office before it is too late for us!
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Medford Posts:4,532 Points:953,735 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:21:43 AM Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse Sounds like infringement to me, curve for curve.
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:2,495 Points:459,550 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:20:48 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse wow
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:4,982 Points:1,193,540 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:17:28 AM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Do they want my 1959 Corvette which has been sitting in my garage for 30 years. Oh it has both tops soft and hard fuel injected 283-290hp and four speed trans and posi rear end. And I paid $2100 for it in 1963. [Edited by: MDTDriver at 3/22/2010 3:21:28 AM EST]
otto_drommo Champion Author Wichita Posts:1,052 Points:253,755 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 3:17:18 AM Ignore otto_drommo Report Abuse Carrol Shelby has had this problem for years. Most of the knock off Cobra that were manufactured, were done without his blessing. I remember one or two companies moved to the Ukraine for "manufacturing quality control" but it was reported they moved so Shelby could not sue in a U.S. Court. I think as of last month Shelby lost the court ruled his car shapes were not protected.
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,614 Points:1,356,950 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:57:13 AM Ignore tobasco Report Abuse will this lower gas?
outlaw329 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,801 Points:464,845 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:55:21 AM Ignore outlaw329 Report Abuse I do not think that really matters what happens as gm will never pay the taxpayers back one cent.
LostToo All-Star Author Illinois Posts:648 Points:284,915 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:52:48 AM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse cool let the guy sell his product and change the name of it how about "Korvet" maybe that would help?
toyota1999 Champion Author Louisville Posts:5,123 Points:1,067,225 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:43:37 AM Ignore toyota1999 Report Abuse hmmm suing is never a good thing. But with the value of replicas, I believe the owners of those cars are not happy because of the knock offs.
Chasms Champion Author Orange County Posts:20,308 Points:1,690,150 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:34:31 AM Ignore Chasms Report Abuse "And if they win, nothing goes back to the taxpayer" Of course not!! Even if the feds demanded it, it SHOULD be put toward the Obama's Government Healthcare bill that was passed tonight! We're taking a 99,000th Mortgage on the United States and our local congress people turned their backs on us again! Why isn't the important stuff like this ever placed on a BALLOT, and let US decide?? This country is looking more & more like the old Nazi Germany every hour! [Edited by: Chasms at 3/22/2010 2:38:47 AM EST]
fordmexico Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,171 Points:181,875 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:31:57 AM Ignore fordmexico Report Abuse jcurley posted, "Didn't GM's bankruptcy declare null and void all previous lawsuits? " True, this is the NEW GM that is suing. The bankruptcy ended all claims AGAINST the old GM, now Liquidation Motors". Liquidation Motors may still hold lawsuits against others that would be included in their assets.
Gary65 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,498 Points:468,370 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:29:51 AM Ignore Gary65 Report Abuse If they sue and win, then the money should go into the bankruptcy for their creditors. But would that happen, most likely not.
srchr Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,503 Points:695,545 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:29:05 AM Ignore srchr Report Abuse gov't motors suing??
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:3,410 Points:839,590 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:19:42 AM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse Didn't GM's bankruptcy declare null and void all previous lawsuits? For once, I agree with Saturn93.
GMVAN Champion Author Calgary Posts:1,835 Points:430,005 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:15:40 AM Ignore GMVAN Report Abuse They should be glad someone is able sell their vehicles.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,792 Points:1,326,080 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:15:02 AM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse "May the best car win"?
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,743 Points:759,775 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:14:06 AM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse And if they win, nothing goes back to the taxpayer
915Chief Champion Author San Diego Posts:3,655 Points:717,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:09:22 AM Ignore 915Chief Report Abuse that desperate for money, eh GM?
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:7,683 Points:620,155 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:08:50 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse Saturn93...I think your right.
EcoVore Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,124 Points:331,895 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 2:01:38 AM Ignore EcoVore Report Abuse GM is getting some retroactive pay.
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,245 Points:1,015,740 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 1:53:27 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Replica cars are just that. Any collector recognizes them for what they are and prices them accordingly. Just another chance for under worked attorneys to make a few bucks for themselves and Government Motors.
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:3,631 Points:1,343,515 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 1:53:09 AM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Why don!t GM sit back and get a share of the sales.
Les7h Champion Author Texas Posts:2,727 Points:651,675 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 1:48:34 AM Ignore Les7h Report Abuse GM hasn't sold this car for 47 years & they get nothing from a 2 million dollar sale at an auction - so how could this hurt them?
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,835 Points:607,055 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2010 1:35:21 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse So all the other replicars and kit cars are illegal too? How about all the models from the 70's, 80's, 90's and today looking like other makes?