Los Angeles - In a trademark infringement dispute filed by Chrysler, a judge ruled Tuesday against the auto-maker’s request to bar local retailer, Pure Detroit, from selling T-shirts with the slogan, “Imported From Detroit.”  Records indicate that Chrysler applied for the “Imported From Detroit” trademark in late 2010.

Chrysler first introduced the slogan on February 6, 2011, in a Super Bowl television commercial featuring rapper Eminem and the new Chrysler 200.  The buzz that the ad created gave both Chrysler and the Motor City a much needed boost, amidst tough economic times.  Fans of the two-minute commercial which featured famous Detroit landmarks, thought that it painted the city as a survivor in the reality of its harsh economic adversity.  The Chrysler 200 became the auto-maker’s best-selling car last month and the ad won five awards, including four 1^st place Gold Lions at the Cannes Lions 58^th International Festival of Creativity in France. 

According to U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow, Chrysler failed to prove that it will suffer irreparable harm if Pure Detroit continues to use the slogan on its T-shirts and merchandise.  Judge Tarnow also ruled that a likelihood of confusion did not exist and that consumers would not believe the merchandise sold by Pure Detroit was affiliated in any way with Chrysler.