Historic racers in period livery
Discussion
What’s the deal between historic racers who want to run their cars in original period livery and the companies (possibly defunct) that they are displaying on their cars? Do they
A) Put what they like on the car without getting any permission
B) Have to ask the company’s permission and pay to use the trademark
C) Have to ask the company’s permission but the company sees it as free advertising so let them do it
D) Companies pay to have their logos on historic racers
Or is it a combination of the above? I’m thinking something like a Porsche 917 in original Gulf livery. Will Gulf pay the team for that kind of sponsorship? What about at club level?
A) Put what they like on the car without getting any permission
B) Have to ask the company’s permission and pay to use the trademark
C) Have to ask the company’s permission but the company sees it as free advertising so let them do it
D) Companies pay to have their logos on historic racers
Or is it a combination of the above? I’m thinking something like a Porsche 917 in original Gulf livery. Will Gulf pay the team for that kind of sponsorship? What about at club level?
It's complicated and indeterminate.
Most racers go for an original livery, often with logos, through choice.
Some series (e.g. Thoroughbred GP, 1970s F1 cars, IIRC) require cars to be in original or very similar livery
It is a breach of trademark, and companies shouldchase down trademark breaches (failure to protect a trademark can cost you the granted protection).
Some drivers do ask permission, many do not. Very rarely would a company refuse (free advertising, access to a car fro promotional purposes), very rarely will they pay (unless the driver is a mate).
However, there was an intruiging case at the French Grand Prix this year (and amazingly no-one saw it coming). A Thoroughbred race was run to celebrate 100 years of Grand Prix racing - except that France has extemely severe laws on tobacco sponsorship. I think it was Philip Morris (Marlboro) who panicked and sought an injunction against the teams, on the basis that they (Marlboro) would get charged for illegal advertising. I can't remember the outcome, but it was all very embarrassing
Most racers go for an original livery, often with logos, through choice.
Some series (e.g. Thoroughbred GP, 1970s F1 cars, IIRC) require cars to be in original or very similar livery
It is a breach of trademark, and companies shouldchase down trademark breaches (failure to protect a trademark can cost you the granted protection).
Some drivers do ask permission, many do not. Very rarely would a company refuse (free advertising, access to a car fro promotional purposes), very rarely will they pay (unless the driver is a mate).
However, there was an intruiging case at the French Grand Prix this year (and amazingly no-one saw it coming). A Thoroughbred race was run to celebrate 100 years of Grand Prix racing - except that France has extemely severe laws on tobacco sponsorship. I think it was Philip Morris (Marlboro) who panicked and sought an injunction against the teams, on the basis that they (Marlboro) would get charged for illegal advertising. I can't remember the outcome, but it was all very embarrassing
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