Ford Counterattacks in ‘Cruise’ Dispute With GM

Ford Counterattacks in ‘Cruise’ Dispute With GM
A Ford Motor Company sign stands at a Ford dealership in Troy, Michigan, on Nov. 3, 2008. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
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DETROIT—Ford Motor said late on Friday it will ask the U.S. Patent Office to rescind trademarks obtained by rival General Motors for the terms “Cruise” and “Super Cruise,” escalating a brawl GM began by suing Ford over its use of “Blue Cruise” for an automated driving system.

The legal fight between the two Detroit automakers turns on whether “cruise” is a generic term for technology that allows the car to take over some share of driving tasks from a human motorist.