icon on Royal Oak, MI – November 7, 2023 – Howard & Howard Attorneys, PLLC secured InterMotive Vehicle Company (InterMotive) more than $13.5 million in a counterclaim suit against Ford Motor Company. After an 11-day trial, a jury found Ford had infringed on InterMotive’s “Upfitter Interface Module” trademark, engaged in unfair competition, misappropriated InterMotive’s trade secrets and breached a non-disclosure agreement by improperly using InterMotive’s technology.
An initial claim filed by Ford in 2017 stated InterMotive and its president, Greg Schafer, improperly used Ford’s “Blue Oval” logo to promote a variety of InterMotive products used with Ford vehicles and sold into the Specialty Vehicle Aftermarket.
In response, InterMotive filed counterclaims against Ford, asserting misappropriation of InterMotive’s trade secrets, infringement of InterMotive’s trademark, unfair competition, and breach of contract. Ultimately, the jury awarded InterMotive $13.65 million in damages from Ford in the countersuit. Ford dismissed its previous claims against InterMotive and Schafer mid-way through the trial.
The Howard & Howard team representing InterMotive throughout the trial included: Andrew (Jake) Grove, Joseph Barber, Gerald E. McGlynn, III, and Dane Lepola.
About Howard & Howard Attorneys, PLLC
With a history spanning over 150 years, Howard & Howard is a full-service law firm with a national and international practice, providing legal services to businesses and business owners. More than 125 attorneys practice out of offices in Las Vegas; Detroit, Michigan; Illinois (Chicago and Peoria); and Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.howardandhoward.com.
Kady Volmering
PR and Communications Coordinator
248-723-0331
[email protected]