In a legal battle that pitted the Lake Mary High School Rams near Orlando against Chrysler Group, David and Goliath have made peace.
Chrysler had wanted the high school to tear up its gym floor and replace wrestling mats bearing a logo that was identical to that of the Ram truck. Chrysler wanted the job done by the end of the school year. But doing so would have cost the school $70,000, according to a report on WESH, a local TV station.
Chrysler had claimed the school was infringing on its trademark logo. Trademark or not, the automaker's stance angered some residents, who thought the big, bad corporation was picking on the high school. Orlando Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, caught in the middle of the flap, had offered the services of a graphic artist to help the school design a new logo.
Last week, Chrysler softened its stance and said it would allow the school to keep the items bearing its logo until wear and tear requires them to be replaced.
Said Ned Julian, Lake Mary School Board attorney: "It's a win-win. Chrysler will get good publicity; hopefully, the school system, especially Lake Mary High School, will save money."
