A Guide To How Trade Marks Work In Formula One®

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Tuesday, 06 February 2024 Author: Abigail Wise, Nicholas Buckland, Ella Nawaro

In the UK, a trade mark can be protected if it is capable of distinguishing the specific goods/services covered from those of third parties, and if the mark itself can be represented on the register in a clear in precise manner1. But what does this mean in practice, and what are the implications for motorsport?

With a particular focus on Formula One, this article will address the following

What are the most popular motorsport trade marks?
Who owns the F1 trade mark?
The importance that Formula One places over its own trade marks
What happens to a team's trade marks when it gets sold/later renamed?
Issues surrounding registration of trade marks in motorsport
- Domain names
- Trade mark ownership
What elements can be protected by a trade mark?
Possibility of sound trade marks with the advent of Formula E
Landmark trade mark disputes in motorsport
Key Takeaways

This article is the third instalment in LawInSport’s series dealing with intellectual property in motorsport and the first instalment on protecting confidential information in motorsport can be found here 2 and the second instalment dealing with patents and trade secrets in motorsport can be found here 3.

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Hits 23140 Posted in Sports | Dispute Resolution | Motorsport | Articles | Intellectual Property

Tags: Confidential Information | Dispute Resolution | FIA | Formula One | Intellectual Property | Motorsport | NASCAR | Regulation | Trademark

Written by

Abigail Wise

I am a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and advise a wide variety of clients on all aspects of UK and international trade mark law and practice.

With over 17 years experience both in private practice and in-house, I regularly provide strategic IP advice to clients for the protection and enforcement of trade mark portfolios worldwide. I have substantial experience with portfolio management, oppositions, invalidation and revocation actions, infringement and passing off, taking into account appropriate commercial considerations. I also have advocacy experience in inter partes and ex parte Hearings before the UKIPO.

Nicholas Buckland

Nick is a Managing Associate in the Dispute Resolution team at Lewis Silkin, specialising in Intellectual Property disputes.

He specialises in the protection, exploitation and enforcement across the range of intellectual property rights, including trade marks, copyright, patents, designs and confidential information.

He has particular expertise in protecting and enforcing brands and acts for clients in many different sectors including the retail, manufacturing, engineering, media, financial and technology sectors.