Much as I admire Singer, I understand why Porsche is seeking to defend its trademark. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Interesting video. I'd be interested in hearing a facts based analysis from anyone with legal experience in these areas. To me, it seems like Singer modifies existing cars to order. What's the problem?
Same reason that Porsche 356 Speedster replicas carry no Porsche badges. Singer was careful about this in the past (even going so far as to demand automotive journalists writing about its cars not use "Porsche" in the name of Singer vehicles). Ferrari is at least as protective of its brand name and trademarks.
From what I understand, part of Porsche’s purpose may be that it needs to make a credible effort to protect its trademarks to retain them. I doubt this is an attempt to shutter Singer. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
From the video, it seems that they are going to settle quickly since the documents are already sealed. That supports your theory. Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
What makes it even more interesting, is that Porsche Motorsport North America started rebuilding engines for Singer just 2 years ago... https://www.topgear.com/car-news/retro/singers-engines-will-now-be-built-porsche
In USA Ferrari had problems stopping companies that used a ferrari chassis from calling the redo's ferrari. the singers are basically restored porches. Singer being so popular kind of shows that at least some segment of the market will pay big $ for something smaller an more lithe than the current crop of boated porche Gt cars. Its also like these days porche got the 928 to sell by putting the motor in the rear and calling it a 911. Porch makes some great drivers cars, Gt3 and 4rs, alas porche deigns not to make up to 1 less than the market wants, instead prefers to offer 5000 less and allow for games and premiums. in such a market the aftermarket will supply, as will competitors. As for singer, their name is so strong they could just call them singers. however lower down the food chain there are more than a few doing retro porches, arguably these are restomods/restorations. if the tub began life as a porche tis a porche, at least in the USA.
It’s not the same though. Replicas are replicas. They infringe on a variety of property. But a Singer is a restored/modified, albeit tremendously, Porsche. Singer only enhances the brand and its loyalty. I think this litigation is too much and punishing what’s essentially a hot rod company. Was Ruf sued? Fabcar? Koenig? DP? Kremer?
Someone who doesn’t really know Porsche could mistake a Singer as an optioned up 911. Especially with the giant PORSCHE logos. I see the potential concern. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
A friend of mine has Singer on order. He sent an email to Singer and got this reply: "A complaint was filed and has now been dismissed by Porsche. Our operations are running as normal."
makes sense these are restored and or modified porche. The tub began life as a porche, its a porche. A fiberglass 356 replica is a Vw, it was nver a porche its a vw with a prche look.
I would be curious for the case law for this sort of situation around modifications around a product you buy. Reminds me of BMW wanting to charge $18/month to "unlock" the seat heaters: https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863258/bmw-cancel-heated-seat-subscription-microtransaction When you buy a product, you own the product.... and the manufacturer should lose control of what you do with it from that point..... Only exception would be modifications to void the factory warranty.... I guess that makes sense. Also, maybe it makes a difference if you're leasing a car vs you bought it? I can just see bigger picture they're trying to make "cars as a service" a thing..... rather than complete ownership.
But in the case of singer, who owns the car to be singerized. If its something singer buys does that make them a manufacturer. Im assuming the cars are registered as per the year of the tub, in which case its a Porche. That's in the USA, in Europe its a very different bg.
singer should just list themselves as manufacturer like ruf does. take off the porsche badges and call it a singer.
... and Singer uses 964s, which are at least 30 years old. The issue may be that Porsche considers that a remanufactured car with the 911 design and "PORSCHE" name on it infringes on Porsche's intellectual property. If Singer was merely respraying or restoring old Porsches and charging an hourly labor rate, I doubt there would be any concern. But they are offering a new product that looks a lot like a Porsche.
The suit has apparently been dismissed by Porsche. I’m guessing whatever needed to be resolved has been.
I have a Porsche 964 that Singer are currently working on - basic details are that I own the car and ship it to Singer. The VIN and Engine No's remain the same, as the engine is rebuilt and very significantly upgraded. Most of the body panels are replaced with CF panels, but core shell is kept - most mechanicals/chassis components are restored/significantly upgraded. So it is a Porsche 964 that remains under my ownership throughout the rebuild, with the same vin identity, just very substantially restored/upgraded throughout before being delivered back to me. Even the local registration with our DMV remains the same.
On the chassis front, only the chassis core and doors are kept from the original 964. Front and rear fenders, roof, bonnet and engine cover are all replaced with parts made from carbon fibre. As far as engine is concerned, they send it to Ed Pink Racing or Porsche Motorsport North America (option) for a 3.8L or 4.0L rebuild/upgrade. One of the very few engine components remaing is the engine block itself (and crank, if you opt for the basic 3.8L engine), which allows the car to keep the original engine #. Gearbox can be either kept or replaced with 6-speed unit from the 993. If you opt for the 6-speed, the gearbox # will boviously not match Porsche factory records anymore. If you opt for AWD, this also comes from a 993 (not from 964 C4).
As I understand as long as you keep the original “chassis” “tub” its still in USA that orig car, maybe modified but that car. The owners can do with it as they wish and its title/badge remains.
Reminds me of the old tale about the historic axe (hammer?) that ihas had only the handle and the head replaced. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
The car title is binded to the VIN # of the car, which in turn is stamped on the car's chassis. So as long as you keep the original chassis (with same VIN #), this is considered the same car.
