Carroll Shelby and Superformance International Settle Infringement Dispute
04 Février 2005 - 7:18PM
PR Newswire (US)
Carroll Shelby and Superformance International Settle Infringement
Dispute LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carroll
Shelby ("Shelby") (OTC:CSBI) and Superformance International
("Superformance") have settled their remaining differences
regarding alleged trademark and trade dress infringements with
regard to the Shelby Cobra and Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe body
shapes, and have also agreed to begin working together to advance
their mutual objectives of making the highest quality products
available to their customers. "I am pleased that Superformance has
recognized the value of being associated with the Shelby entities,
and on my part, I recognize Superformance in the replica car
business for their quality of design and engineering integrity,"
said Carroll Shelby, chairman of Carroll Shelby International, Inc.
"There are several ways in which a closer relationship between the
Shelby entities and Superformance can create synergy that will
benefit both corporations, as well as capitalize on each companies
strengths," said Mr. Jim Price, president of Superformance. "For
example, we have in Hi-Tech Automotive, a modern and very capable
engineering and manufacturing facility in South Africa," said
Price. "This enables the possibility of future manufacturing of
components or other products for Shelby Automobiles to Shelby's
high specifications. We are very interested in exploring such
opportunities, which we feel would be of benefit to both
organizations." In describing the new cooperative relationship
between Shelby and Superformance, John Luft, President of Carroll
Shelby Licensing, Inc., said, "Carroll Shelby, Shelby Automobiles
and its independent dealer network will continue to produce,
manufacture and sell the only authentic Shelby Cobra branded
products, built to original specifications, inside and out ... but
Superformance's products are the only component vehicles licensed
with the permission of Mr. Carroll Shelby to replicate the shapes
of his famous 289, 427 and Daytona Coupe vehicles, originally
manufactured in the 1960's. We are very excited about this new
licensing arrangement." The companies have also put into place the
framework whereby the Shelby organization can expand its operations
by making authentic Shelby Cobra products available to
Superformance's dealer network in the US. "Mr. Shelby and Mr. Price
have confirmed that the foundation of mutual respect and
co-operation that has developed will now be the focus of the future
efforts of both companies, rather than protracted and expensive
litigation," said Mr. Ronnie Kruger, CEO of Superformance
International. About Carroll Shelby International, Inc. Carroll
Shelby International, Inc. is the parent company of Shelby
Automobiles and Carroll Shelby Licensing. Shelby Automobiles Inc.
is manufacturing high performance Shelby vehicles under the
guidance of the legendary Carroll Shelby and will be involved in
prototype manufacturing, design and engineering projects; and plans
to increase production and availability of these Shelby products
through an expanded dealer network and direct sales under a license
agreement with Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. For more information,
call 702/325-4851 or visit the company's web site at
http://www.shelbyautos.com/. Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., founded
in 1988, is the exclusive holder of automotive manufacturer and
entrepreneur Carroll Shelby's trademarks and vehicle design rights,
which include some of the world's most famous muscle cars and
high-performance vehicles, including the car that brought home to
the U.S. its first and only FIA World Manufacturers Championship in
1965, the famous Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. It also holds
trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and
collectibles. For additional information about the company or
licensing opportunities, call (310) 914-1843, or fax (310) 914-1853
or write to Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., 11150 West Olympic
Boulevard, Suite 1050, Los Angeles, CA 90064 or visit
http://www.carrollshelbyinternational.com/,
http://www.carrollshelby.com/. About Superformance Superformance
International Inc, founded in 1996, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Hi-Tech Automotive (Pty) Ltd, and sole North American distributor
of the Superformance (R) range of component vehicles, parts and
accessories manufactured by Hi-Tech Automotive in South Africa.
Superformance distributes its products through eleven retail dealer
outlets in the US and Canada. The Superformance Mk III and
Superformance Coupe is already established as the most sought after
replica component vehicles in their class in the US. DATASOURCE:
Carroll Shelby CONTACT: Jake Jundef, , or Soon Nguyen, , both of
JMPR, Inc., +1-818-992-4353, for Carroll Shelby Web site:
http://www.shelbyautos.com/ Web site:
http://www.carrollshelbyinternational.com/ Web site:
http://www.carrollshelby.com/
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