Ferrari sues non-profit over Purosangue name

Lawyers working for Purosangue Foundation have confirmed to the Financial Times the organisation is being sued by Ferrari.

Purosangue is Italian for thoroughbred, but the component words are literally translated as pure blood.

The Purosangue Foundation aims to "improve the living conditions of many people through running and athletics" and encouraging "young talents" to possibly become champions, but also to gain from "trusting their own strengths, the persistence and will of reaching important goals without the use of performance enhancing drugs".

According to the foundation, it has held the trademark to the term for clothing and other products since 2013, and blocked Ferrari's application after negotiations failed.

Ferrari contends the Purosangue Foundation's hold on the trademark should be removed because the name hasn't been used much during the past five years.

Lawyers for the foundation told the business publication the name has been in constant use, including its partnership with sponsor Adidas to produce branded clothes and shoes.

The foundation is registered with the UK Charity Commission, although its recent financial records have not been submitted and it has been handed a default notice.

The case will be heard in a Bologna court on March 5 this year.