Foul-mouthed Joel Zimmerman, better known as DJ Deadmau5, recently made headlines for yet another prominent trademark issue. He and Disney are already embroiled in a protracted IP dispute over his mouse-ear trademark. This time, he infuriated Ferrari.
The fact that Deadmau5 wrapped his Ferrari 458 with a rainbow and Nyan Cat theme dissatisfied the Italian automaker. The “Purrari” was later given to the supercar.
Deadmau5 then drove his 458 throughout Europe in the Gumball 3000 road rally.
Deadmau5’s actions infuriated Ferrari, who then wrote him a stern cease and desist letter accusing him of trademark infringement. Although Deadmau5 withheld the letter from the public, he made explicit reference on his Twitter feed of the bespoke badges and floor mats as being troublesome.
Deadmau5 might have violated the “Right of First Refusal Agreement” he had with his dealer in addition to the trademark issue. All Ferrari customers must grant Ferrari dealers the first option if they wish to sell, according to Tim Cushing of Techdirt. This clause in the contract is meant to prevent consumers from flipping their cars.
Deadmau5 removed the wrap and the ad to please Ferrari. Then, in his own forthright manner, he summarized his opinions on Twitter.
Deadmau5 hasn’t changed his opinion of super cars despite his encounter with Ferrari. He just received his McLaren 650S Spider. The McLaren boasts a maximum speed of 207 MPH, 641 HP, and accelerates to 60 MPH in less than three seconds. What kind of mischief is Deadmau5 causing with his new gadget, then? No, as of yet. In fact, he only last week began offering Uber trips in Toronto.
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The Ferrari 458 is not very unique; in fact, it is the brand’s “volume model,” so it seems sense that its owner would want to customize it with unique additions. That’s exactly what Toronto-based electronic musician Deadmau5 achieved in a huge manner, transforming his Italia into the “Purrari” by including a Nyancat-inspired motif (it’s an internet meme thing).
Naturally, Ferrari objected to the changes made to the car. In particular, it detested the “Purrari” wordplay and associated personalized badges, floor mats, and license plates. Deadmau5 had to remove the wrap, get rid of the personalized floor mats, and remove the Purrari emblems. Before selling it and switching to a Lamborghini, he tweeted that the 458 is “just a normal-ass 458 now.” Shame.
Ferrari by Deadmau5
Two things in the world are certain. One, it’s understandable that somebody with wealth and celebrity would want to drive home in a Ferrari. Second, the Prancing Horse is usually involved in car-related issues in the world of celebrities. Even after consumers leave the shop, the brand has some extremely stringent restrictions for what they are allowed to do with their Ferraris.
The brand wasn’t pleased when Canadian music artist Deadmau5 painted his Ferrari 458 Italia sky blue and covered it entirely in vinyl covered with the Nyan Cat meme. Deadmau5’s 458 Italia, which he had renamed the “Purrari,” was the subject of a cease and desist letter from the hated Ferrari. The music producer was forced to repaint his car’s original white color as a result.
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Ferrari might object to having its vehicles covered with custom vinyl and adorned with prancing cat insignia, but Nissan doesn’t seem to have the same problems.
In regards to his custom Nyan Cat-wrapped Ferrari 458 Italia known as the “Purrari,” Canadian electronic DJ and music producer Deadmau5 (aka Joel Zimmerman) received a cease and desist notice from Ferrari last week. Nissan, which seems to have a greater sense of humor, offered the musician a replacement right away in the form of a Nissan GT-R that was also custom-wrapped.
They also included a photoshop of how the wrapped Nissan might appear, complete with a small badge bearing the words “Spec” and the logo of Deadmau5.
Deadmau5 wrapped his white Ferrari 458 Italia in the vibrant Nyan Cat vinyls earlier this year, adding custom floor mats, a prancing cat, and “purrari” insignia to the back to create the Purrari.
It immediately became a phenomenon in pop culture, and the Canadian singer even drove Toronto mayor Rob Ford to get coffee.
The customized emblems, however, did not amuse Ferrari, who instructed Deadmau5 to have them taken off. Deadmau5 heeded the warning, but he also expressed his displeasure about it on Twitter.
“Whatever. Now it’s just a regular a** 458. all right, “After restoring the automobile to its original vanilla-white color, Deadmau5 tweeted. Since he had just bought a new McLaren 650s Spider, he had been considering selling the Ferrari.
Now since Nissan is involved, he might have discovered a successor that is even better and a method to avenge Ferrari.
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.
Are people sued by Ferrari?
Five times Ferrari sued its loyal supporters and even customers for the stupidest reasons, including billionaires, musicians, and even charity. When a designer posted pictures of his own car on Instagram, he was sued for $350,000.
Is a charity being sued by Ferrari?
In order to secure the naming rights for its SUV, Ferrari is suing a charity. A nonprofit dedicated to combating doping is now using the Purosangue name, which means “pure blood.” In 2018, Ferrari revealed that the Purosangue would be the name of their first SUV.
If you modify your car, does Ferrari get upset?
Although we believe these modified Ferraris are incredible, Enzo definitely would if he saw them.
A Ferrari modification is undoubtedly not an easy task. How can something that is already “perfect” be changed? Many owners of modified Ferraris over the years have been sent a letter of discontinuance by the manufacturer.
Although many people still modify automobiles, Ferrari detests it. Fortunately, these ten folks did a fairly decent job at customizing their Ferrari. These ten vehicles are by far the coolest modified Ferraris ever, whether they have modest modifications or a wild body makeover.
Why does Ferrari send letters of cease and desist?
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.
Can Ferrari impose a ban?
After six to eight months of driving, he or she returns it with 300 to 600 miles on the odometer. The “buyer” receives their entire investment back, and the car is now a used one. Used cars are not subject to the same restrictions as new ones by Ferrari. As a result, the dealer can now mark it up by about $100,000 and sell it to a previous customer or to a passerby.
The initial purchaser is pleased because they received free use of a new model for a few months. The new buyer is satisfied, and the dealer is pleased since he makes an extra dollar or so. They avoid the dreaded list and waiting three to five years by getting into a nearly new model.
Regarding the outright bans, Ferrari acknowledges that some barred purchasers are limited to brand-new high-production series vehicles. Let’s be honest, though. The pedestrian model is not what those who purchase Ferraris for modification seek. They desire more special items. Therefore, Ferrari has discovered a mechanism to prohibit those former owners without actually prohibiting them.
Who can’t afford a Ferrari?
One of the wealthiest athletes and the richest boxer of all time is Floyd Mayweather Jr. Therefore, one might assume Ferrari would be more than eager to sell him their cars, but in spite of his enormous riches, he is supposedly on the infamous blacklist.
This is mostly because of his propensity to flout Ferrari ownership regulations, which require owners to keep their cars for at least a year before even thinking about selling them. Floyd, on the other hand, has a reputation for purchasing expensive, brand-new vehicles and then selling them as soon as he’s finished flaunting them. He isn’t exactly regarded as a “auto collector,” thus Ferrari feels the megastar is unworthy.
Is it forbidden to alter a Ferrari?
If you do manage to obtain a Ferrari, you are not permitted to alter the engine in any way, modify the bodywork, apply wild paint schemes (no pink, rose, or salmon are permitted), or do anything that hides the Ferrari badge.
Why can’t a Ferrari be modified?
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.
If you own a Ferrari, can you purchase a Lamborghini?
Ferrari looks at your previous auto ownership. If it is discovered that you previously had a Lamborghini, your name will be removed from the list.