Team Lotus upbeat after court ruling
Tony Fernandes' Team Lotus have expressed their delight after a British High Court judge dismissed an application for an immediate summary judgment on part of a licensing dispute.
The case relates to what Team Lotus claim is the early termination of a five-year licensing agreement that was signed only last year.
Group Lotus, the road-car division of the company, had looked to prevent Fernandes' outfit from using the Lotus name during the 2011 season, but Mr. Justice Peter Smith ruled that the matter could only be resolved by a full trial which has been scheduled for 21 March. The decision means that Team Lotus will at least start the season baring the Lotus name.
The Norfolk-based squad were understandably happy with the ruling.
"Team Lotus is delighted that we were successful at the Summary Judgment Application hearing today and that the Judge threw out Group Lotus' application even before hearing the arguments of the barristers on either side," Team Lotus said in a statement.
"Although this decision was never in doubt, it means that we start the 2011 season under the Team Lotus name. Whilst we expected that the Judge would refuse this application, it is good to have the decision in black and white.
"The Judge also felt that it was in everyone's best interests to bring the hearing date for the full trial forward and that is now fixed for 21st March rather than us having to wait until Autumn 2011 or even later. We remain confident that we will succeed at the full trial and we can now focus on the challenges ahead in the 2011 FIA Formula 1 World Championship," the statement added.
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
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