Ferrari to hunt down replicas

Carmaker set to pursue and destroy copies of iconic models

Got a fake prancing horse? Maranello is coming for it

Replica Ferraris are under threat after an Italian court issued a judgement that recognised the 250GTO as not only a classic car, but a work of art, ‘That is entirely original and must not be imitated or reproduced.’ The judgment was handed down by a tribunal in Bologna in June after Ferrari complained that a company in Modena was planning to produce 250GTO replicas. Ferrari lodged a petition to have the design and

intellectual property rights of the classic car officially recognised. The court ruled, ‘The customisation of the car’s lines and its aesthetic elements have made the 250GTO unique, a true automobile icon.’

Classic Cars asked Ferrari if this active targeting of replicas was limited to Italy or would be applied globally, and whether it would be going after replicas of other models. It told us, ‘We cannot comment on ongoing court cases, but we can confirm that Ferrari actively monitors the market for unauthorised replicas of its models and will take action to defend its intellectual property rights to the use of its trademark and designs. Such actions can include authorising the competent local authorities to seize and destroy replicas. We are a global company and will pursue these replicas in any country where our trademarks are registered.’

This brings very real concerns for anyone with a replica wearing Ferrari badges, even if the underpinnings belong to a genuine Ferrari model.

Ferrari persuaded an Italian court to recognise the 250GTO as an artwork in order to prevent it being replicated by a third party