Ferrari Loses Trademark Battle Over Local Drink’s Horse Logo

Ferrari has lost a trademark dispute in Malaysia against Sunrise-Mark Sdn Bhd, the company behind the Wee Power energy drink. The disagreement centred on Wee Power’s logo, which features two horses facing each other with a bold “W” and the brand name beneath.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled there was no likelihood of confusion between the drink's logo and Ferrari’s iconic single-horse emblem.

Judge Adlin Abdul Majid found that the only similarity was the general use of a horse, but even that was presented differently.

Unlike Ferrari’s solitary prancing horse, the Wee Power logo includes two horses, a capital “W,” and the name “Wee Power”, elements the judge said made the mark visually and conceptually distinct.

Ferrari also argued that the word "Wee" lacked originality, but the court accepted the explanation that it came from the name of the company’s founder, Wee Juan Chien, not from its English meaning. The judge made it clear: one is a luxury car, the other an energy drink. There's no overlap in market, product, or consumer base.

"The average consumer wouldn’t see the drink’s logo and think of Ferrari," he stated.

Ferrari’s claim was dismissed, and the automaker was ordered to cover the legal costs. Sunrise-Mark is now free to proceed with its trademark registration.