Ferrari detests customers who modify the vehicles it designed and sold. Billionaire race car racer Jean “Beurlys” Blaton learned this the hard way when he acquired an F40 IMSA LM that had been retired from competition. He removed the canopy, installed a tubular steel cage, changed the suspension to include pushrod coilovers, and reduced the exhaust system to exit in front of the back wheels with assistance from longtime Ferrari partner Michelotto. Changes that are that significant, in Ferrari’s opinion, render the item no longer a Ferrari product. Blaton received a cease-and-desist letter directing him to remove all Ferrari emblems and insignia as a result of being unable to participate in authorized Ferrari track days.
Other automakers likely wouldn’t go to such extent without harming their own brand reputation. The backlash would be fierce if Honda or, let’s say, Porsche started distributing legal letters in that manner.
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Ferrari USA issued a “cease and desist” order to Deadmau5 regarding the “purrari.”
The Canadian said that the manufacturer wasn’t pleased with his personalized badges and floor mats.
- Duncan Turner
- August 28, 2014
Since Deadmau5 initially shared pictures of his Nyan Cat-inspired Ferrari 458 on Facebook, the vehicle has generated so much attention that it was only a matter of time before the carmaker got involved. And it took place.
According to reports, the Canadian driver received a cease and desist notice from a lawyer for Ferrari USA regarding the custom floor mats and “Purrari” insignia he applied to the car.
Yes, the bespoke emblems and floor mats for the Ferrari were the main topics. Whatever. Now it’s just a regular ass 458. All is well.
The automobile appears to have returned to its previous appearance as seen above, but that’s likely more due to the fact that he recently listed the car for sale.
Whatever the cause, it will be sorry to see the Purrari leave, but he undoubtedly has something similarly insane in store for the future.
The “Pink Ferrari” 458 received a cease-and-desist letter from Ferrari.
Since Deadmau5 (Joel Zimmerman), a well-known DJ, bought his Ferrari 458 a few years ago, it has generated a lot of criticism. This 458 Italia, which he dubbed the “Purrari,” got some, uh, aesthetic modifications. After experiencing significant commercial and critical success with his songs, the Canadian electronic musician decided he wanted a nice supercar. But he did want his to stand out, and to say so could be the year’s biggest understatement.
For those of you who are unaware, this car is based on the Nyan cat, a well-known internet meme. You may get more details about that here (warning extremely annoying). What inspired Zimmerman to model his Ferrari after that is unclear, but he did. The car obviously did not come in this state, thus in order to carry out this extensive visual makeover, big decals were made and applied to the original vehicle (which was white). The license plate read “PURRARI” or the “Pink Ferrari,” and all of the prancing Ferrari insignia were replaced with prancing cats in the same style as Ferrari’s badge. Due to the car’s unmistakable sense of humor, it soon gained popularity on social media.
However, Ferrari wasn’t too happy with the vehicle. After Zimmerman “updated” his 458 at some point, an Italian supercar and formula 1 manufacturer got in touch with him and sent him a cease-and-desist letter. As soon as Zimmerman alerted his followers on Twitter, there was a social media uproar. Ferrari seems to be pretty picky about what you can do with their vehicles. Their primary worry, according to the musician, was him modifying the logo. He then furiously removed all the decals and bespoke work off the 458 to return it to its original state. He subsequently put the car up for sale with a $380,000 asking price, and a few people made offers. It should be emphasized that the price of a brand-new 458 Italia was $233,000. Zimmerman started looking for a new supercar, and Nissan even created a special GT-R with the identical decals for him. Nevertheless, he ultimately chose the Ferrari-hating McLaren P1, a $1 million hybrid supercar.
The Italian manufacturer rejects any connection to Plein’s company.
To suggest Philipp Plein has seen controversy before is akin to saying water is moist. The German designer has already made news twice this year, but his most recent altercation might be the firebrand’s most intimate altercation to date.
In June, Plein shared a photo on Instagram of the newest pair of sparkling sneakers from his brand perched atop his own $350,000 USD green Ferrari 812 Superfast. A month or so later, Plein returned to Instagram to display what appeared to be a cease-and-desist letter from Ferrari’s legal department in reaction to the June photo. The Italian business claims in the letter that Plein “tarnished[ed] the reputation” of Ferrari by using the automobile “for promotional reasons of [his] brand and products.”
Ferrari asserts that Plein’s involvement with the automaker ties it with “a lifestyle [that is] utterly contradictory with [Ferrari’s] brand impression, in connection with performers making sexual innuendos and utilizing Ferrari’s cars as props in a manner that is per se repulsive.” Plein referred to the automaker’s request to delete the offensive posts as “blackmail” and was given 48 hours to do so.
Despite Plein’s protest, The Fashion Law warns that if Ferrari chooses to pursue legal action, Ferrari may have some influence in the courts. Both the United States and Italy have trademark laws that prohibit third parties from utilizing another party’s trademarks to advertise their own goods or services.
Consumers might be misled into thinking that the two brands are collaborating on Plein’s footwear collection or are otherwise affiliated, which would give rise to legitimate claims of trademark infringement, the article claims, given the positioning of Plein’s footwear in the picture, right next to the Ferrari logos and with the coordinating colors in mind.
Plein has posted multiple tirades on his Instagram page in response to the affront, but Ferrari hasn’t followed through on its promises. These include complaints against CEO Louis C. Camilleri and requests that other owners of supercars flaunt their Plein sneakers beside their vehicles. Plein declares, “I will not take down the images, and I will file a lawsuit against Ferrari for this improper conduct. “Mr. Louis C. Camilleri, I expect an official APOLOGY from you!”
A representative for 50 Cent told Page Six that the rapper “briefly went by a dinner to see his friends and Philipp Plein” and “was not aware of any demonstration.” See a few of Plein’s protest posts below, which feature a surprise appearance from 50 Cent.
As on August 5, Plein has not taken down the images or disclosed the status of the ongoing dispute. Ferrari has also been silent.
corporations that trade publicly on a worldwide market. Delay in quoting. once every 10 minutes.
Upon receiving a cease and desist letter from Ferrari for having questionable taste, a Ferrari owner decided to purchase a McLaren and use it to drive for Uber.
Deadmau5, a well-known house music producer, was chauffeuring Skrillex and Rob Ford around in his sky blue Ferrari 458 Italia, which he called the Purrari. The Nyan Cat internet meme served as the inspiration for the car’s wrap, but allegedly Ferrari USA was not happy with the ugly customized automobile and sent Deadmau5 a cease-and-desist letter.
In response, Deadmau5 sold the Ferrari for $380,000 and bought a car from McLaren, one of Ferrari’s main competitors.
Deadmau5 bought a McLaren 650S Spider, and now, on the advice of an arbitrary fan via Twitter, he offers trips in it via Uber, a taxi service.
Does Ferrari prohibit purchases?
Not exactly known for its forgiving and exceptional customer service, Ferrari. In actuality, the reverse is true. Nothing quite casts a car manufacturer in a negative light like Jay Leno choosing not to buy one of its vehicles due to an unsatisfactory buying experience. Ferrari appears to be the only business to hold this distinction, in fact. Additionally, for an incredibly trivial reason, Ferrari recently forbade Justin Bieber from purchasing one of their automobiles. See which other famous people the elderly prancing horse has blocked sales for!
Can you be sued by Ferrari?
Yep. Ferrari filed a lawsuit against the Purosangue Foundation and prevailed in the legal battle. When the supercar manufacturer sought to utilize the Purosangue moniker (“thoroughbred” or “full-blooded” in Italian) for its future SUV, it first approached the charity that supports health and fitness. After the negotiations fell through, the Purosangue Foundation filed a lawsuit to prevent Ferrari from registering the name as a trademark in Europe. Ferrari responded by starting legal action, asserting that the foundation hadn’t used “Purosangue” for commercial purposes enough since registering it in 2013. “Why do we have to get go of who we are? Ferrari ought to have simply done its homework.” The Purosangue Foundation’s Max Monteforte spoke to the Financial Times in the UK. “There is a ton of proof of what we’ve been doing lately.” No thanks.
Why is it impossible to modify a Ferrari?
Pop star Justin Bieber reportedly won’t be able to buy another new Ferrari after allegedly breaking the Italian company’s modification rules. The Prancing Horse disapproved of the Canadian singer’s decision to repaint his 2011 Ferrari F458 Italia electric blue and modify it with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, according to Milan-based tabloid Il Giornale.
The investigation found that the 28-year-old did not adhere to the moral standards for maintaining and operating vehicles. Ferrari automobiles are not subject to unauthorized alterations, and owners are not entitled to sell their vehicles without first notifying the business. Bieber sold the customized car at auction in 2017.
According to a story in the newspaper, Fabio Barone, director of the largest Ferrari drivers’ organization in the world, said: “A Ferrari is a work of art, therefore it’s appropriate the company communicates the message that it must be conserved.”
If the allegations are confirmed, Bieber will no longer be qualified to buy a brand-new Ferrari, although the Prancing Horse has not yet issued an official statement on the subject. If accurate, it wouldn’t have a significant impact on the singer’s style given that he owns high-end vehicles including a Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, and Porsche.
Celebrities including reality TV star Kim Kardashian, singer 50 Cent, and Hollywood legend Nicolas Cage, who was forced to sell his Ferrari Enzo in 2003 due to bankruptcy, have all been blacklisted by Ferrari in the past.
Is your Ferrari up for sale?
The fine print of the contract you sign states that you are not allowed to sell your new Ferrari during the first year of ownership. This is done to deter flippers. The owner may make a sizable profit by selling a low-mileage, first-year Ferrari, particularly when it comes to limited-edition vehicles. Ferrari wants the opportunity to buy the car back from you if you decide to sell it.
Ferrari and Lamborghini have been at odds for many years and it hasn’t let up. If you buy a Lambo and want to be on the VIP list for a limited-edition Ferrari, forget about it. It doesn’t want to mix with the bull, even if you have several Ferraris.