Sep 22, 2017

Jaguar Land Rover to trademark Defender design to see off rivals

Jaguar Land Rover is seeking to trademark the iconic shape of the Land Rover Defender amid attempts by billionaire owner of Ineos, Jim Ratcliffe, to release a similar vehicle. The company filed five trademark applications between April and September 2016, seeking to protect the shape of the vehicles from the original Land Rover - launched in 1948 - right up to the most recent Defender model. In July last year, Mr Ratcliffe announced plans to resurrect the Defender, and said he was seeking to buy intellectual property from JLR if possible to help with the project. A successful trademarking of the design by JLR could hinder Mr Ratcliffe's ability to produce a car that echoes the Defender's rugged looks. JLR said: "Defender will always be instantly recognisable as a Land Rover the world over. The Defender remains a key part of our current future product strategy."

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