I really fell in love with the Dodge Challenger Scat Pack I tested recently, and that was in spite of its unintentionally gross and hilarious name. But the revival of that historic Mopar name has also resurrected a decades-old trademark battle.


Automotive News has a good summary of the situation:

Dodge's attempts to revive its muscle car-era "Scat Pack" trims may have stepped in it in the process.


"It" means shit here. Automotive News probably can't say shit, but I can. Shit shit shit. Poop.

Anyway, moving on. They report that last week California-based Scat Enterprises Inc. (LULZ) filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Dodge claiming they are the rightful owners of that trademark.

The Scat Pack name dates back to 1968 when Dodge used started using it on cars like the Dart and Super Bee. At the time, Scat Enterprises — a 51-year-old maker of crankshafts and performance parts — sent a cease-and-desist letter ordering Dodge to stop using the name, claiming they had it first.

Dodge hasn't used the Scat Pack name since 1971. But when they sought to revive it in 2013, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied their request, AN reported. So in typical Dodge fashion, they went ahead and did it anyway.


In a statement, Dodge said they will defend the name, and called the lawsuit meritless:

Scat Enterprises, an aftermarket supplier of crankshafts, connecting rods, and rotating assemblies marketing under the term "Scat", has never used the term "Scat Pack". Scat Enterprises' lawsuit against Chrysler over Chrysler's 2014-15 Scat Pack™ vehicles is a meritless and opportunistic attempt to hold Chrysler hostage just days before the upcoming SEMA show. Chrysler will vigorously defend itself against this attack and look to enforce its own rights in this moniker.


I would remind Scat Enterprises that Chrysler is owned by Fiat these days, and so they run the risk of getting a visit from several burly Italian gentlemen.

Sure is a nice crankshaft factory they got. Wouldn't want anything... bad to happen to it, you know?