F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Is Formula 1 heading for logo trademark trouble?

Just a few months after introducing its new logo, Formula 1 could be heading for a trademark battle with industrial conglomerate 3M.

A year after taking control of F1, Liberty Media presented the sport's new logo after the 2017 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The new design, which replaced the 23-year-old flying 'F' linked to the Bernie Ecclestone era, was introduced with much fanfare, but its concept bears a striking resemblance to an existing image used by a specialized line of support products, braces and compression tights called 'Futuro' and owned by Post-It Notes maker 3M.

According to The Telegraph, 3M filed its logo application last year, but before Formula 1 registered its new image.

A 3M spokesman said: "3M filed a US trademark application for the Futuro logo on Feb 20 2017. Also, we have not had any discussions about the logo with the other party. We are looking into this matter further."

Given the clear distance which exists between Grand Prix racing and a brand of compression tights, one would believe that there is only a remote possibility of a claim or dispute actually reaching the courts.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

4 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

5 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

6 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

8 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

9 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

10 hours ago