Formula 1 Drops Trademark Lawsuit Against Las Vegas Gift Shops
In a significant development for local businesses, Formula One Licensing and Formula One World Championship Limited have dismissed their lawsuit against two prominent Las Vegas souvenir shops. This action brings an end to a case that alleged the sale of unauthorized and counterfeit F1 merchandise during the excitement of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.
The Original Allegations Against Local Vendors
The lawsuit, initially filed in August, targeted Crazy Ely and Bonanza Gift Shop on the Las Vegas Strip. Formula One accused these businesses of selling counterfeit Formula 1 items, misleading consumers into believing the merchandise was officially associated or approved by F1. According to the complaint, these sales caused “irreparable injury” to the plaintiffs.
Details of the Alleged Counterfeit Sales
The complaint detailed specific instances of alleged unauthorized sales. In June, October, and November of 2023, Crazy Ely was said to have ordered and received 180 counterfeit F1 items. Bonanza Gift Shop, on the other hand, reportedly received a much larger quantity, totaling 2,200 counterfeit F1 items during the same period.
| Business | Alleged Counterfeit Items Received |
|---|---|
| Crazy Ely | 180 |
| Bonanza Gift Shop | 2,200 |
Lawsuit Dismissed: What Does “With Prejudice” Mean?
According to documents filed in federal court on November 14, 2025, Formula One Licensing and Formula One World Championship have dismissed the lawsuit. Crucially, the dismissal was “with prejudice.” This legal term means that F1 cannot sue the same businesses again for the same alleged trademark infringement.
F1 Declines to Comment on the Dismissal
When reached for comment on the dismissal and its implications for future trademark usage, a spokesperson for the Las Vegas Grand Prix offered no further details beyond pointing to the court filings. Their statement read: “Unfortunately, we cannot comment further. We can solely point to the court filings at this time.” This leaves many questions unanswered for local vendors and fans alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the F1 trademark lawsuit about?
Formula 1 sued two Las Vegas gift shops for allegedly selling unauthorized and counterfeit F1 merchandise during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. - Which Las Vegas businesses were involved?
The lawsuit was filed against Crazy Ely and Bonanza Gift Shop. - What does “dismissed with prejudice” signify?
It means Formula 1 cannot refile the same lawsuit against these specific businesses for the same alleged trademark infringement in the future. - Why did Formula 1 drop the lawsuit?
Formula 1 officials declined to comment on the reasons behind the dismissal, only referring to the court filings. - What does this mean for other local businesses selling F1-themed items?
While this specific case is closed, the broader implications for trademark usage by other local vendors remain unclear without official guidance from Formula 1.
This development provides a definitive end to this particular legal dispute for Crazy Ely and Bonanza Gift Shop. However, it also highlights the ongoing importance for all local businesses to be mindful of trademark and copyright laws, especially with the continued presence of major events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas.
Formula 1 drops counterfeit merchandise lawsuit Las Vegas
