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The Brabham family has won its legal fight to protect the registered ‘Brabham’ trademark.
In a German High Court, Australian international sportscar racer David Brabham had sued Michael Trick following his refusal to cancel certain registrations within the European Union involving the Brabham name. Trick had been marketing road cars under the Brabham Racing banner.
Brabham confirmed today that the registered Brabham trademark was a success in the Higher Court of Koblenz, with the famous family’s trademark now reverting to the family’s ownership.
In the future, any individual or organisation seeking to register the Brabham name without the family’s consent will be flagged and the iconic Brabham logos, synonymous with Jack Brabham’s three world championships, are also protected.
“I’m delighted that this situation has finally come to an end,” Brabham said.
“It’s been a long and tiring battle, but this was something I felt we needed to do to protect the Brabham name.
“The global brand stands for success and innovation bolstered from 60 years of racing heritage, and deserves to be protected.
“This ruling will not only help future plans for the Brabham brand, but also protect the third generation of drivers, in Sam and Matthew, coming up through the ranks.”
In 2009, Formtech founder Franz Hilmer lodged an entry for the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship using the Brabham Grand Prix team name. Its application was unsuccessful, triggering action by the Brabham family.
