rumor control--has SAAC lost its use of Shelby name?

[Don]

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AutoWeek Daily Drive — Friday,*February*1,*2008
By MIKE D'ORAZIO

Carroll Shelby wants the Shelby American Automobile Club to stop using his name and related images, and he has now filed a lawsuit in a bid to make that happen.

The lawsuit is the latest step in a battle between Shelby and the 5000-member for-profit club. Shelby claims the club has not been involving him in marketing efforts and providing him with financial statements--requirements of a licensing agreement with the club.

Previously, club owners Ken Eber and Rick Kopec have rejected Shelby's claims. They also have refused to give in to Shelby's demand that they turn over the club's records on Shelby cars and their authenticity.

Shelby's lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, Jan. 29, seeks to force the club to stop using the name. The licensing agreement between Shelby and the club expired on Thursday, Jan. 31.

That year-to-year licensing agreement renewed automatically since the club owners signed it in 1999, according to the lawsuit.

But Shelby, through business units Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. and Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, announced on Dec. 7, 2007, that it would not renew the license. It cited disregard for the license requirements and other business considerations as the reason.

Shelby claims the club has made a lot of money but "never counted me in on anything," according to a Dec. 3, 2007, report in Automotive News.

"I don't want my legacy to go down under their thumbprints," Shelby said.

In the Automotive News report, Kopec said the club "pays for itself. There is no money left over." He added that most of the revenue comes from dues, which are $47 for the first year and $40 annually.

Shelby's lawyer demanded that the club return all Shelby-related merchandise and turn over its financial statements.

Kopec said he doesn't mind if Shelby wants to end the agreement, but he won't hand over registration information.

"We have put a lot of hard work into this club," he said.


AutoWeek | Updated: 02/01/08, 1:33 pm et

Article URL: Carroll Shelby sues his fan club - AutoWeek Magazine