Mercedes has Gullwing replica crushed
Mercedes 300 SL replica obliterated for breaking copyright law
Not merely content with getting the illegal rep destroyed, it has issued a statement to the press, saying, "The body shape of the legendary Gullwing model has been trademarked by Daimler AG. Anyone building, offering or selling replicas of the vehicle is in breach of the Company's rights. This even applies if the replicas do not incorporate any logos or trademarks of the Company. Daimler AG has long taken a tough approach to vehicle replicas.
"As a work of applied art, the body of the 300 SL has been under copyright protection for a number of decades. The employees who designed the famous gullwing model in the 1950s granted Daimler AG comprehensive exploitation rights. The body shape has also been trademarked by Daimler AG, as recently confirmed by the Stuttgart regional court (case no. 17 O 304/10, final and binding judgment dated 9 December 2010, following withdrawal of an appeal)."
The press release then goes on to describe, with apparent relish it has to be said, the replica's destruction:
"The first step in destroying the replica was to separate the chassis from the body. The Mercedes-Benz used-parts centre, which is also responsible for scrapping all Mercedes-Benz prototypes from the development units, then destroyed the body on behalf of Daimler AG. The certified equipment used in the centre includes two presses, each applying over 30 tonnes of pressure. The replica sports car had a fibreglass body weighing precisely 148 kilograms, which the compressor smashed into small pieces. This dramatic end to the unlawful body was officially documented with a signed and stamped 'confirmation of scrappage'.
Don't mess with Daimler AG, in other words...
Wonder how that all fits with all the other replicas out there, GT40's Cobra's etc?
Also remember Lotus (I think) trying to do something legal with the original Esprit body being recognised by it's shape as some form of Copyright, and failed I think.
Also, does these Law's in Germany apply in different countries? E.G. If I made a replica rhere in the UK, could they also have it confiscated and crushed?
I'm surprised this doesn't happen more, with the number of "replicas" out there. I doubt many of the companies producing them have bought the rights to use the design.
Oh damn, I forgot it wouldn't pass type approval laws.
What a bunch of killjoys. Its not exactly competing with any of their current range of products is it? All this is going to do is push up the price of original 300SL's even further!
What a waste of time. The only people who have gained anything from this little escapade is of course the lawyers. As usual.
As said, bit harsh if it was a one-off fred in the shed project.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff