GM and Ford to work towards settlement for the “Cruise” term for hands-free driving. Remember some months ago when ford was sued by GM for using a name for its hands-free driving vehicle close to its? Well, both companies are now working towards a settlement for the said case.
GM And Ford to Work towards Settlement for the “Cruise” Term for Hands-Free Driving
GM once argued that Ford’s “BlueCruise” name was too close or similar to its “SuperCruise”. Both companies told a federal judge that they are working towards settling a trademark battle over the Cruise term that describes hands-free driving. The attorneys for both companies asked the court for a conditional dismissal as they were working out the terms for the settlement. The two sides however will have to report back to the court within 60 days if they are unable to come to an agreement.
When the Legal Battle Began
In April, ford announced BlueCruise as the name for its hands-free driver assist feature. GM on the other hand filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in July claiming that the name was too close to its own SuperCruise, the name the company called its hands-free driving tech back in 2017. In its complaint, GM said that both companies have been involved in “protracted discussions” regarding the name but have been so far unable to come to an agreement. GM said it introduced the name SuperCruise in 2012 and has since then been in business since 2013.
What Ford Had To Say
Ford filed a motion in august to have the lawsuit dismissed. The company argued that the term “cruise” has been in “ubiquitous use” for 50 years now as a term for driver-assisted features. It continued to say that the term is one that customers do not associate with one carmaker.
A spokesperson from Ford called GM’s trademark claims to be “meritless and frivolous”. He also added that ford has petitioned the US patent and trademark office seeking to have GM’s trademark of “cruise” and “SuperCruise” rescinded.
