A decisive court ruling ends a decade-long dispute, affirming the Shelby Trust’s rights over the iconic Shelby GT500.
The Shelby Trust has emerged victorious in a legal tussle that pitted the guardians of the Shelby GT500‘s legacy against Denise Halicki, widow of “Gone in 60 Seconds” filmmaker H.B. “Toby” Halicki. After a decade-long dispute, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has delivered a ruling that decisively puts the Shelby Trust in control of the “Shelby” trademarks and trade dress, essential to the brand’s esteemed image. The argument centered around the “Eleanor” name, famously associated with various Mustangs in the original Halicki films and the Shelby GT500 in the 2000 remake. Mrs. Halicki asserted a singular copyright over “Eleanor,” claiming exclusive rights that extended to influencing the manufacturing, selling, and auctioning of Shelby GT500 cars. This claim led her to pursue legal action against vintage manufacturers, customers, and auction houses affiliated with the Shelby GT500, suggesting that their vehicles infringed on her alleged copyright interests.
The Court’s November 2022 ruling debunked Mrs. Halicki’s claims, rejecting the notion that the Eleanor vehicles depicted in the films could be granted “character” copyright protection. Additionally, in 2023, the Court dismissed Mrs. Halicki’s additional claim based on a 2007 settlement agreement, solidifying the Shelby Trust’s rights to continue selling Shelby GT500s licensed to Carroll Shelby Licensing. M. Neil Cummings, Esq., CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing and Co-Trustee of the Shelby Trust, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, which not only clears the Trust’s position but also protects the interests of Shelby GT500 owners and the Shelby legacy. The ruling confirms that the Shelby Trust retains the undisputed right to license the design and production of Shelby GT500 vehicles, ensuring the value and authenticity of these vintage automotive collectibles. View all Shelby Mustang GT500 examples currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below.
Source: Shelby American
