Chrysler is now seeking a court injunction against the Moda Group LLC, which owns and operates the Pure Detroit stores. Said injunction would immediately bar Moda from manufacturing and selling any apparel bearing the "Imported from Detroit" tagline. You'll remember that Chrysler filed suit against the company two weeks ago, claiming that it has sole rights to these quotably pithy words.
In related news, says Automotive News, Chrysler also asked Jeep dealers in Toledo, Ohio, to cease using the phrase "Imported from Toledo." Yes, really.
One of the Jeep dealers evidently had 600 t-shirts made featuring the logo and attempted to sell them. Chrysler's Toledo North assembly plant builds the Jeep Liberty.
(Detroit News; Automotive News sub.req)
smilez says:
02:12 PM, 03/29/11
I'm kind of with them on the Moda Group issue, you know, because that's how businesses are run and make money.
But to ban your own company is getting a little out of hand. If it sells, brings attention to your brand, AND makes you money...well, I think that's a good idea.
Maybe that Jeep dealership should copyright the phrase before Chrysler steals it.
stoppre75 says:
07:06 AM, 03/30/11
Maybe someone should file suit against Chrysler for false advertisement seeing as they have a 300 in one of their "imported from Detroit" commercials, even though that car is made in Canada.
greenpony says:
10:22 AM, 03/30/11
"But to ban your own company is getting a little out of hand"
Dealerships are separate businesses from the automakers. So just like the issue with Chrysler vs Moda, this is Chrysler vs independent dealerships.
Legally, I'd say Chrysler wins vs Moda. Moda agreed to stop selling the shirts, then failed to abide by that agreement. That's open and shut. That Chrysler does not yet have an approved trademark (just a submitted application) is irrelevant. This is a breach of contract, not copyright infringement.
The issue with the Toleda-area dealerships is less certain, since they're not actually in breach of a contract (that the public is aware of) and they're not infringing on a pending copyright/trademark. I think I'll side with the dealerships on this one, since Chrysler's trademark application can't be construed to apply to all "imported from..." phrases.
93aero says:
04:10 PM, 03/30/11
I don't get why this logo is so popular. Honestly. Its like people for the first time ever are being sold an american car built in america. Alot of companies make cars out of their home countries, hell, its not like chryslers entire line up is built here...I feel like they should take a step towards that direction, before they try and flaunt the "this is where we come from" crap.