<a href="http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0503/23/B02-125849.htm">Clicky Link</a>

Nissan Motor Co. filed a trademark infringement suit against Audi Tuesday, claiming the German carmaker poached the letter Q for its new Q7 and Q5 sport utility vehicles.

Nissan has used Q as the first letter identifying some of its premium Infiniti vehicles -- such as the Q45 and QX4 -- since 1989. It has registered the names and a slogan "the new Q" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"Audi's immediate and threatened use of the Q5 and Q7 trademarks is likely to cause confusion, deception ... among consumers, thereby infringing Nissan's Q Marks," Nissan said in the suit filed with a U.S. District Court in Michigan.

Nissan asked the court to bar Audi from using Q7, Q5 or any other names that infringe on its 'Q Marks'. It is seeking damages from Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, and reimbursement for legal costs. Nissan officials would not specify the damages sought.

Audi has not seen the lawsuit, spokesman Doug Clark said. "It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation," he said

I feel Audi has the history to backup their claim to the name.

Litigation or Advertising? The fact is that both sides are enjoying the extra publicity; I'd even go so far as to say that the lawsuit could have been arranged over a round of golf and a cup of tea amongst the automotive snoo foofs. Does it really matter what the model names are? Imagine an automotive world in which by some mysterious convention, all manufacturers were obliged to name their models no.1, no.2, no.3, and so on. To the consumer, it wouldn't matter -- The manufacturers' name would make all the difference. I think what is at stake here for the automobile industry is the marketability of their vehicles. I didn't know that you could have a lawsuit over the sex appeal over a letter, though. Doesn't this country have any bigger problems?

Cedric =)