Judge Rules Chrysler can’t have the “Imported from Detroit” Tag Line for Itself


As we mentioned last week, Chrysler used an award winning ad that aired during the Super Bowl on February 6 to introduce its “Imported from Detroit” message. But, guess what? It wasn’t the only to use the tag line.
Pure Detroit clothier also uses it, and opposed the automaker’s attempt to trademark the phrase. As it usually happens in those cases, Chrysler sued, Pure Detroit counter-sued, and their lawyers got to work. Eventually Chrysler lost.
US Federal Judge Arthur Tarnow ruled that Chrysler’s claim that it would suffer irreparable harm didn’t have merit. He also noted that the company didn’t have a trademark on the phrase, and dismissed its argument that the trademark law doesn’t apply on cars.