A landmark court case against former Haas Formula 1 team boss Guenther Steiner has been thrown out, ending a saga over the Italian’s breakout book.
Steiner was subject to a lawsuit from Haas F1 parent company Haas Automation Limited over trademark infringements in his popular “Surviving to Drive” book.
Haas Automation Limited alleged that Steiner used the team’s branding and imagery, including logos, without expressed legal permission.
Steiner argued that all content used fell under fair use, did not breach copyright laws and was protected by the Fifth Amendment.
On Wednesday, a US judge ruled that the use of Haas F1 logos in the book was “not explicitly misleading”, and was subsequently protected under Rogers Law.
“The Book recounts Steiner’s experiences as team principal of the Haas F1 Team during the 2022 season,” the court documents stated.
“Using photos that include the Haas marks is an artistic choice to provide additional context about the 2022 season with the Haas F1 Team.
Here, there is no explicit indication, overt claim, or explicit misstatement that the ‘source of the work’ is Haas Automation.
“While there’s an argument the photo on the cover implicitly suggests endorsement or sponsorship, there is no explicitly misleading statement or suggestion by way of the Haas marks.
“Accordingly, defendants’ use here of the Haas marks is protected under Rogers. Defendants’ motion is therefore granted.”
Steiner was Haas Team Principal from its inception in 2016 until the end of the 2023 season, when Haas CEO Gene Haas opted not to renew his contract.
The Italian has since enjoyed a successful career as a TV pundit for RTL and other private ventures that continue to keep him in the public eye.
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