Team Lotus fight over rights to the name Lotus at the London High Court – Formula 1 news
The fight for the rights to the name “Lotus” continues as Team Lotus and Group Lotus head to London’s High Court for a solution in the near future.
Team Lotus’ owner Tony Fernandes has been claiming that he bought the rights to the name before Group Lotus were preparing to end a licensing deal in order to have the permission to use it for his team.
However, Dany Bahar and Group Lotus claim that it is not true and that they will use the name wherever their company likes. As a result, Group Lotus joined RenaultF1 and now, Renault is known as Lotus Renault GP. Group Lotus signed a seven-year deal with
the team.
Even the Chapman Family is supporting Group Lotus and it seems that all the odds are against Tony Fernandes and his team. Team Lotus had a disastrous first season in the sport as they were unable to secure a single point despite the fact that they had experienced
drivers like Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen.
Nevertheless, Fernandes insists that his deal is legal and he has a strong case which has a high chance of winning in the court. The High Court will issue a summary judgment that will determine the basis of the decision of the court. The summary judgment
is expected to be announced on January 24 or 25.
Team Lotus is expecting a favourable decision from the judge and they believe that the facts are hard to establish. As a result, the court will have to shift this problem to a full trial for which would allegedly take place in next winters. This would give
Team Lotus and Group Lotus a lot of time and both parties are hoping that they might come up with an agreement without going to a full-trial in court.
“I don't think it will be a matter solved by English courts: I think it will be solved before that. But if we have to go the legal way, we will, and our shareholders will support that,” said Dany Bahar.
Tags: