Sir Jim Ratcliffe has successfully challenged Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) over the firm’s pending trade mark applications.
Sir Ratcliffe, the founder of international chemicals company Ineos, is planning to base the design of a new 4×4 vehicle on the “much-loved” Defender model, which was withdrawn from production in 2016 due to environmental and safety standards.
However, JLR had attempted to thwart the plans by applying to trade mark all six variants of the Defender launched between 1984 and 2016. It also revealed plans to relaunch an energy-efficient Defender in 2020.
But in a shock move this month, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) ruled that the Defender’s shape was not distinctive enough from other off-road vehicles to qualify for legal protection.
Commenting on the ruling, Ineos said it would treat the Defender’s “much-loved” shape like a “listed building”.
The billionaire businessman announced plans to build the new car, known as the ‘Grenadier’, in South Wales after Ford announced it would be closing its nearby plant in 2020, risking 1,700 jobs.
Disputing the decision, a JLR spokesperson said: “The Defender is an iconic vehicle which is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s past, present and future.
“Its unique shape is recognised around the world, with the heritage shape being protected in other key markets.
“Protecting our intellectual property is something we take very seriously, so we are appealing the Intellectual Property Office ruling on the protection of the Defender shape trademarks.”