Honda sues Ford over MKX name

[MikeMike]

Christine Tierney / The Detroit News

W ith only 26 letters in the alphabet, automakers are starting to quarrel over who owns which ones.

In the latest skirmish, Honda Motor Co. is suing Ford Motor Co. on the grounds that the new Lincoln MKX sport-utility vehicle sounds too much like its own premium Acura SUV, the MDX.

Honda is asking Ford not to use the name MKX or any name that too closely resembles MDX in the suit filed Wednesdayin federal court in Los Angeles.

"Our goal is to protect the Acura MDX name by ensuring that there's no consumer confusion between that and the new Lincoln MKX name," said Mike Spencer, a spokesman for Acura in Torrance, Calif.

Ford was not immediately available for comment.

Such disputes are growing commonplace as more automakers switch to the use of letters instead of proper names to identify their models.

For decades, Germany's premium marques BMW and Mercedes-Benz have used combinations of letters and numbers to identify their model lines. BMW debuted its AM4 in 1932.

Now nameplates such as General Motor Corp.'s Cadillac are doing the same, in part to put greater emphasis on the brand name.

Last March, Nissan Motor Co. filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Audi, accusing Volkswagen AG's premium brand of poaching the letter Q for its new Q7 and Q5 SUVs.

Nissan said it had used Q as the first letter identifying its premium Infiniti vehicles such as the Q45 since 1989 and had registered the slogan "the new Q" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The case was settled out of court in October and the terms kept confidential.

Acura expects a similar outcome. "We anticipate the matter will be resolved out of court," Spencer said.

Ford expects to start selling the MKX, a car-based SUV which it also calls the Mark X, later this year to bolster its flagging Lincoln brand.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060127/AUTO01/601270358/1148

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

both are SUVs

on the grounds that the new Lincoln MKX sport-utility vehicle sounds too much like its own premium Acura SUV, the MDX.

 

[ironcrotch]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

did u RTA? they are both SUV's

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

 

[serialkiller]

i love my honda!

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

MKX vs. MDX

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

I doubt Lincoln intentionally did this though. Lincoln has had the Mark line of cars since the 50's and 60's. Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, and so on. I'm sure the MKX is simply shortened from Mark X. That it happens to share 2 of 3 letters to Acura's MDX (which, by the way, MDX is a very inferior brand of plywood) is a coincidence at best and Acura just has a hot poker up it's arse. THat this crap clogs our legal system is just pathetic.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

looks like an SUV to me. They will win.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

MKX

Certainly looks like an SUV to me.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

looks like an SUV to me. They will win.

doubt it, its a stupid thing the dude above you posted the exact reason i was gunna post

and it is NOT an SUV, its a crossover vehicle, aka, SUV look, but based on a car frame, zero off road capabilities, and better MPG

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

MKX

Certainly looks like an SUV to me.

It is a COV, believe me.

 

[ManSnake]

American car sucks donkey balls.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

MKX

Certainly looks like an SUV to me.

they're actually both station wagons.

and if MKX is just internal shorthand for Mark X (being roman for 10) and it will actually be called the Mark X, then honda ain't got much of a case.

 

[destrekor]

and ford copied Chrysler with the 'Ford Five Hundred' although the car looks like crap compared to the Chrysler 300 series

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

looks like an SUV to me. They will win.

doubt it, its a stupid thing the dude above you posted the exact reason i was gunna post

and it is NOT an SUV, its a crossover vehicle, aka, SUV look, but based on a car frame, zero off road capabilities, and better MPG

WHICH THE UNEDUCATED CONSUMER WILL VIEW AS AN SUV. The morons are what these laws are made to protect.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: destrekor
and ford copied Chrysler with the 'Ford Five Hundred' although the car looks like crap compared to the Chrysler 300 series

How did they copy the 300

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: destrekor
and ford copied Chrysler with the 'Ford Five Hundred' although the car looks like crap compared to the Chrysler 300 series

How did they copy the 300

well then Ford/GM have issues with the GMC Sierra, and the Ford Sierra

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

now what about all the other names that are similar? i doubt they are going to win

looks like an SUV to me. They will win.

doubt it, its a stupid thing the dude above you posted the exact reason i was gunna post

and it is NOT an SUV, its a crossover vehicle, aka, SUV look, but based on a car frame, zero off road capabilities, and better MPG

WHICH THE UNEDUCATED CONSUMER WILL VIEW AS AN SUV. The morons are what these laws are made to protect.

hmm, did you just call yourself uneducated?

 

[dethman]

2 SUVS, close enough name. honda has a valid case and will win.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
there is precedent for prohibiting a company from using a similar name for a product in the same category as an existing one. It is done to keep companies from trying to confuse a customer intentionally.

ones a car, the other is an SUV

They're both SUV's, read it again.

edit: lol, beat me to it....twice.

the MKX didnt look like an SUV in the photo. and its not an SUV, its actually a crossover

Then the MDX is a crossover too, because it's based on a mini-van as well, and not a truck.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: destrekor
and ford copied Chrysler with the 'Ford Five Hundred' although the car looks like crap compared to the Chrysler 300 series

How did they copy the 300

it is a name copy

cars are too different. but its a similar case. two "SUVs" but both are not equal, one is a cross-over, the other is a different type of SUV (not a regular SUV though)...
the 300 is a sporty-luxury/cadillac-style car, while the five-hundred is more or less a luxury escort.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: destrekor
and ford copied Chrysler with the 'Ford Five Hundred' although the car looks like crap compared to the Chrysler 300 series

How did they copy the 300

it is a name copy

cars are too different. but its a similar case. two "SUVs" but both are not equal, one is a cross-over, the other is a different type of SUV (not a regular SUV though)...
the 300 is a sporty-luxury/cadillac-style car, while the five-hundred is more or less a luxury escort.

the Ford 500 is an old model they just brought back