General Motors (General Motors) Has targeted Ford (F) Use the name “BlueCruise” for its hands-free driving technology system.
The lawsuit was filed by General Motors and its robotic taxi subsidiary Cruise in California federal court on Friday.
In a statement obtained Reuters, The automaker claimed that Ford’s use of the BlueCruise name infringed the GM Super Cruise trademark and the Cruise trademark.
“Although General Motors had hoped to resolve trademark infringement issues amicably with Ford, we had no choice but to vigorously defend our brand and protect the rights and interests that our products and technologies have won in the market over the years,” General Motors said.
GM argued that it had a “long-term discussion” with Ford regarding the use of the Cruise name, but failed to resolve the matter.
General Motors claimed trademark infringement, unfair competition, and required Ford to use the Blue Cruise name and unspecified damages.
GM said in the lawsuit: “Ford knows what it is doing. Ford’s decision to reshape the brand using the core logo used by GM and Cruise will inevitably cause confusion.”
According to Reuters, Ford’s response to the lawsuit was “worthless and frivolous.”
Ford said in a statement: “For decades, drivers have understood what cruise control is, and every car manufacturer provides it, and’cruise’ is a common shorthand for this ability.” “That’s why BlueCruise was chosen. It is the name of Blue Oval’s next-generation Ford intelligent adaptive cruise control system.”
Ford launched the BlueCruise hands-free driving system in April, and General Motors announced that it will start using the Super Cruise name as its hands-free driving technology in 2012. General Motors’ Cruise started operations in 2013.
As of 1:06 pm Eastern Time on Monday, General Motors’ stock price was $55.59, up 65 cents, or 1.18%, while Ford’s stock price was $13.95, up 13 cents, or 0.94%.
Photo: General Motors/-
