FN sues Ruger over trademark infringement

[Slater]

Are people really going to be confused over this?

"FN accuses Ruger of using a mark – “SFAR” – that is pronounced similarly to “SCAR” and used in connection with directly competing firearms. FN alleges that this action by Ruger is likely to cause confusion among consumers, leading them to believe there is some affiliation or association between Ruger’s products and FN’s “SCAR” branded firearms. The complaint details Ruger’s alleged intentional violations, including marketing efforts that leverage the “SFAR” mark without reference to Ruger, potentially trading upon FN’s established goodwill."

FN Sues Ruger Over 'SFAR' Mark, Claiming Infringement on Its 'SCAR' Trademark

FN Herstal S.A. and its subsidiary, FN America LLC, have taken legal action against Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., accusing the firearm manufacturer of

www.usacarry.com

 

[ParallelCode]

I'm not sure who could mix those two offerings up.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I don't think this makes FN look very good. Really hard to confuse those 2 rifles, plus the FN is about double the price of the Ruger. And, they look nothing alike. Doesn't pass my hillbilly common sense test. However, ain't a lawyer......

 

[kidneyboy]

The lawyers for both sides will do well with this.

 

[Choctaw]

Petty whining on FN's part.

 

[dogtown tom]

Somewhere, in Spain, I imagine there's a guy who owns the intellectual or trademark rights to STAR Firearms. I'll bet he's thinking "I can make a buck off those Belgians".


I think even Michael Scott from The Office has to be worried because his alter ego was superspy "Michael Scarn".

 

[BobABQ]

The only winners with this will be the lawyers for both companies.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

This rem8nds me of the old story of the two farmers arguing over ownership of a cow.

Farmer Brown was pulling on the cows head, shouting Its mine!
Farmer Jones was pulling on the cows tail, shouting Its mine!

And the two attorneys in the middle, milking it.

 

[tarosean]

I don't think this makes FN look very good.

really? Ruger has a long history of coping others work.

 

[tarosean]

Somewhere, in Spain, I imagine there's a guy who owns the intellectual or trademark rights to STAR Firearms. I'll bet he's thinking "I can make a buck off those Belgians".

If only they didnt go bankrupt 30yrs ago.

 

[gwpercle]

I'm not confused in the least ... let's see Ruger , SFAR .... FN , SCAR
They look like two different things to me ... S-far and S-car ... if I can tell the difference , anyone can .
the lawyers are milking both Ruger and FN ... I don't see any trademark infringement whatsoever !
Gary

 

[Ohen Cepel]

really? Ruger has a long history of coping others work.

What did Ruger copy in this case? Letters in the English alphabet (which I think we "copied").

 

[dogtown tom]

If only they didnt go bankrupt 30yrs ago.

On May 27, 1997 both Star and Astra closed their doors, and were placed in the Spanish equivalent of Chapter Seven bankruptcy, under the control of a Basque regional judge. Eventually, an agreement was reached that settled sufficient outstanding debt, and allowed some of the machinery and the intellectual property to be resurrected in two new companies. Much machinery was also sold at auction to pay debtors. Apparently all unassembled or unsold barrels and frames were destroyed by government order when the company closed. Unregistered parts were retained and purchased by a custom smithing operation known as Ipar Guns.
Star and Astra combined into one company under the ASTAR name, with a new factory, which manufactures a range of new firearms with distribution in Spain and some South American countries.

Colt and Remington Arms filed for bankruptcy too.

 

[dogtown tom]

really? Ruger has a long history of coping others work.

Sure do.
So does S&W, Glock, Beretta, FN and a ton of others. There isn't anything illegal about "copying" once patents have expired.

But this FN lawsuit isn't claiming patent infringement......its about trademark infringement and unfair and deceptive trade practices.

 

[jmorris]

really? Ruger has a long history of coping others work.

The AR as an example...1911's too, they are not alone though. Not a very exclusive group.

 

[kwguy]

Maybe Colt should sue FN for use of the letters “AR”.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Maybe Colt should sue FN for use of the letters “AR”.

Well, Armalite could, anyway.

 

[jmr40]

really? Ruger has a long history of coping others work.

True, but not in this case. The 2 rifles are completely different. The SCAR is an AR15 variant chambered in 223/5.56 and similar cartridges. The Ruger SFAR is a smaller framed AR10 variant chambered in 308 and 6.5CM.

The only slight similarity is in the names but even then, most people when referring to the SCAR say it as one word. When most people refer to the SFAR they separate the letters and call it a S-F-A-R. It's an acronym for Small Frame Autoloading Rifle. It's a smaller framed AR-10. In size it splits the difference between the AR-15 and traditional AR-10's.

SCAR is an acronym for Special Operation Forces Combat Assault Rifle.

In this case I don't see how anyone could possibly confuse the 2.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

When I see SFAR I imagine it's a safari rifle. When I see SCAR I see some battle hardened special forces dude with a scar on his face holding this chunky FDE rifle.

 

[Jim Watson]

And just think, you are paying their lawyers every time you buy a gun from either of them.
Just like you are paying them - and Fedup - whenever you send a dud back for some of that "good customer service." TANSTAAFL

 

[doubleh]

Seems petty to me. Young people are getting a poor education but I bet most of them know the difference between an "F" and a "C".

 

[1KPerDay]

This seems like a stretch. They’d have a better chance suing anyone who makes a “five seven” pistol, like Ruger, S&W etc. Assuming FN has the trademark and not just their goofy spelling of Fivese7eN or whatthehellever

 

[Demi-human]

Can Belgians really not tell the difference between a rifle, and a sand colored brick?

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Ruger SFAR (Small Frame Autoloading Rifle) is a 7.62 NATO caliber ArmaLite derived rifle about the size of an AR-15 and smaller than the AR-10 7.62 NATO caliber rifle. It is distinctly an ArmaLite styled rifle and does not look like a FN SCAR.

Fabrique Nationale SCAR (Special operations Combat Assault Rifle) comes in 5.56 NATO and an FN SCAR-H (heavy) model in 7.62 NATO. The unique Fabrique Nationale looks nothing like an AR-15, AR-10 or SFAR rifle or like any other ArmaLite design rifle.

 

[1KPerDay]

Plus, who calls the SFAR the “sfar” like “scar”?? I don’t and wouldn’t. It would be the “S-F-A-R”. As in AR-10. You don’t call it the “are ten”
FN’s attorneys must be bored