Friday, March 13, 2009

Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenix


Italian luxury car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini is suing a Saskatoon replica car company, claiming the local business used trademarked logos and created counterfeit imitations of one of its famous cars.
North American Exotic Replica Cars Inc. (NAERC), which manufactures and distributes replica Lamborghini Diablo kit cars out of a location near Eighth Street, creates the illusion that a modified stock car is a true Lamborghini, the Italian company alleges in its statement of claim.
NAERC's use of the logos and designs creates the impression that the converted cars are endorsed by, sponsored by, connected with or originated with the Sant'Agata Bologna-based company, the claim says.
"Replica cars are made all the time," said Lamborghini's Saskatoon lawyer, Richard Danyliuk. "(But) if you, for example, manufacture a replica of a 1953 Corvette you don't call it a Corvette, you call it something else. Here, the allegation is the defendants are simply calling it a Lamborghini and using the logos."