MotoGP – Should the French Moto Grand Prix change its name? –

Should the French Moto Grand Prix change its name? ?

MotoGP - Should the French Moto Grand Prix change its name? -

Will the French Moto Grand Prix, officially called Alice Grand Prix de France since its sponsorship by the telephone operator, have to change its name? This is what the French Federation of Motorsport (FFSA), owner of the brand, asks.

Opinion of great expense on the relations for the less strained between the French Federation of Motor Sport (FFSA), organizer of the Grand Prix of France of F1 on behalf of Bernie Ecclestone until 2011 – in spite of the disgust inspired by the circuit of Magny-Cours at the world’s top F1 leader! -, and the company PHA of Claude Michy, organizer and promoter of the Grand Prix de France Moto on behalf of the Dorna…

In a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt dated March 6, the president of the FFSA, Nicolas Deschaux, asks Claude Michy to renounce the designation "Grand Prix de France". The brand was indeed duly registered with the INPI (the National Institute of Intellectual Property) nearly 25 years ago, on April 19, 1984 to be exact, by the French Federation of Motorsport….

And the French Grand Prix for Canine Agility ?

Nice atmosphere! Stung to the quick and regretting that this injunction "as sudden as official was not preceded by any prior discussion or warning whatsoever", Claude Michy lists the arguments in his favor.

He considers first of all that this request "clearly discriminatory vis-à-vis the Alice Grand Prix de France", insofar as it does not concern the French Grand Prix F1 motorboat or the French Grand Prix for motocross, the French Grand Prix for enduro, the French Grand Prix for shooting, the French Grand Prix for duathlon, the French Grand Prix of acrobatic rock, the French Grand Prix of dance, the French Grand Prix of Agility canine (sic!), the French Grand Prix of Othello or the French equestrian Grand Prix…

Claude Michy then recalls that "the French Grand Prix motorcyclist speed exists" not only "since 1949 and the creation of the world championship", but that he also had for theater"the circuits of Albi, Reims, Clermont-Ferrand, Rouen, Le Castellet, Nogaro, Magny-Cours and finally Le Mans since the year 2000".

"Exclusive approval of the Dorna"

"The name "Grand Prix de France Moto" has never been the subject of a challenge for requalification from any source whatsoever.", continues the boss of PHA, specifying that himself and his company"were the subject of an exclusive approval issued by Dorna, the body that owns the organization rights for the Motorcycle World Championship (MotoGP), to organize and promote the French Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1994, and ” acquit each year since that date".

Finally, "the name "Alice Grand Prix de France" is a label of which the company Dorna owns the exclusive property in accordance with its agreements with the FIM", concludes Claude Michy, estimating"that consequently, it is not within the power of the company PHA, even if it wishes it, to unilaterally modify its terms". In short: ask Carmelo Ezpeleta, the boss of the Dorna !

French Grand Prix for the legal-commercial battle…

Without prejudging the reactions of the FFM, FIM or Dorna, "also targeted through this threatening formal notice", Claude Michy rises"energetically against this incomprehensible approach, which certainly does not serve the interests of motorsports"…

While waiting for the homologation of the French Grand Prix of legal-commercial battle, let us note at least that as regards the web, the addresses of the sites of the two tests are clearly distinct: gpfrancef1.com for F1 and gpfrancemoto.com for MotoGP. No confusion possible … Unless ?

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