wasn't able to find article about Safir selling a prototype of the new Ford GT but found this on Autoweek's website:
GT40 fight rages on
That little spat isn’t over between Ford and Safir GT40 Spares, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that owns the GT40 name.
You’ll recall Ford opted to drop the “40” from the name of its GT supercar in 2002 after Safir GT40 Spares reportedly demanded some $40 million in royalties for the use of the name it trademarked in 1985.
Now Safir GT40 Spares, which sells GT40 replacement parts, is trying to obtain a trademark on the shape of the GT40 via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Though the company isn’t commenting on its plans, a trademark on the shape could put Safir in position to demand royalties on every Ford GT sold.
Ford, for its part, has filed an objection to Safir’s trademark application, but otherwise is withholding comment.
GT40 fight rages on
That little spat isn’t over between Ford and Safir GT40 Spares, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company that owns the GT40 name.
You’ll recall Ford opted to drop the “40” from the name of its GT supercar in 2002 after Safir GT40 Spares reportedly demanded some $40 million in royalties for the use of the name it trademarked in 1985.
Now Safir GT40 Spares, which sells GT40 replacement parts, is trying to obtain a trademark on the shape of the GT40 via the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Though the company isn’t commenting on its plans, a trademark on the shape could put Safir in position to demand royalties on every Ford GT sold.
Ford, for its part, has filed an objection to Safir’s trademark application, but otherwise is withholding comment.