Marc Philipp in Dubai with the last vehicles crafted by his father, Uwe.
STUTTGART: The son of Uwe Gemballa is being sued for allegedly infringing on Gemballa's trademarks and products.
Marc Philipp Gemballa had also set up a company that is riding on the fame of the Gemballa name. He had recently announced that he would be rolling out his own supercar.
Uwe was murdered in South Africa 10 years ago. Since then, his company had been acquired by businessman Steffen Korbach.
Marc Philipp's company, Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH, is not associated in any form with Gemballa GmbH, which Korbach owns and heads.
In 2010, Gemballa GmbH acquired the trademark and brand rights to the name "Gemballa" as well as various assets of the company "Gemballa Automobiltechnik GmbH".
READ MORE: Uwe Gemballa's son set to reveal supercar that can go offroad
It said in a statement that it had invested €15 million (RM70.6mil) into product development and worldwide market expansion.
Gemballa GmbH accused Marc Philipp of "exploiting our good reputation consciously and is using the trademarks and products of Gemballa GmbH in an illegal manner."
"In numerous social media posts, YouTube videos and press reports, he illegally generates himself as the "continuator of his father's legend.
"The Gemballa company is exclusively continued by Gemballa GmbH. There is no consent and/or licensing to Mr Marc Philipp Gemballa to use the name and/or the products of Gemballa GmbH for his own advertising and other purposes."
Several civil and criminal proceedings have been initiated against Marc Philipp and his company, it said.
Gemballa GmbH also urged the media not to add to the confusion.
It urged reporters to "refrain from any unlawful reporting with reference to Gemballa GmbH and its products in relation to Mr Marc Philipp Gemballa / MP Gemballa GmbH / Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH and to correct untrue factual allegations."
