Feb 15/02
DaimlerChrysler, which has already taken General Motors to court to protect its Jeep grille design, has sent letters to Toyota and Kia warning them that the grilles on the Lexus RX 300 and Kia Sportage are too similar to the Jeep grilles, The Detroit News reports.
"We definitely have real concerns about the grilles on their vehicles and hope we can resolve this out of court," a Chrysler spokeswoman said.
A lawyer for Kia said, "Kia's intention is to change nothing....We believe Chrysler is trying to fortify its legal position versus GM's Hummer grille by belatedly challenging the Kia and Lexus grilles," he said.
A Toyota spokesman said it was too early to comment on the Jan. 31 letter from Chrysler.
Chrysler is suing GM and AM General Corp. in federal court over the 7-vertical-slot grille on GM's upcoming Hummer H2, claiming the design is too similar to its own 7-slot Jeep grille. GM says that it has its own trademark on the design, which it bought from Hummer creator AM General in 1999.
Chrysler is arguing that the resemblance of the H2 grille to the Jeep grille will damage the Jeep brand.
source: www.caranddriver.com
DaimlerChrysler, which has already taken General Motors to court to protect its Jeep grille design, has sent letters to Toyota and Kia warning them that the grilles on the Lexus RX 300 and Kia Sportage are too similar to the Jeep grilles, The Detroit News reports.
"We definitely have real concerns about the grilles on their vehicles and hope we can resolve this out of court," a Chrysler spokeswoman said.
A lawyer for Kia said, "Kia's intention is to change nothing....We believe Chrysler is trying to fortify its legal position versus GM's Hummer grille by belatedly challenging the Kia and Lexus grilles," he said.
A Toyota spokesman said it was too early to comment on the Jan. 31 letter from Chrysler.
Chrysler is suing GM and AM General Corp. in federal court over the 7-vertical-slot grille on GM's upcoming Hummer H2, claiming the design is too similar to its own 7-slot Jeep grille. GM says that it has its own trademark on the design, which it bought from Hummer creator AM General in 1999.
Chrysler is arguing that the resemblance of the H2 grille to the Jeep grille will damage the Jeep brand.
source: www.caranddriver.com
