Ferrari threatens legal action against Philipp Plein over Instagram
Ferrari is very particular about its image. So when famous German designer Philipp Plein took to his Instagram to post pictures of his products alongside his Ferrari cars they were not happy.
In the letter, Ferrari’s lawyer Fabrizio Sanna of Orsingher Ortu Avvocati Associati has written that Plein’s usage of images featuring Ferrari’s prized trademarks associates Ferrari “with a lifestyle [that is] totally inconsistent with [its] brand perception,” and “performers making sexual innuendos and using Ferrari’s cars as props in a manner which is per se distasteful.”
Plein however has spoken up about this apparent "blackmail".
This is the video in question Ferrari has a problem with:
Plein's cars feature prominently on his personal Instagram page along side scantily clad models and his products. However he is efusing to back down and is threatening to take legal action of his own.
“I can’t even put in words how disappointed and disgusted I am about this unfair and totally inappropriate claim against me personally,” the fashion designer said.
How do Ferrari really have a legal case? Plein has posted his shoes atop his personal car which he bought.
The issue as per the letter is Ferrari's own line of shoes that it has in collaboration with Puma: “Ferrari’s selected licensees which are exclusively entitled to use Ferrari’s trademarks to produce and promote [a] line of shoes [which are] Ferrari branded.”
It will be interesting to see how this plays out and if indeed the two will go to a legal war over Instagram.
