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The Panoz law suit was flimsy at best. They basically said it's almost mm identical and released photos which showed it to be quite different when analysed. They even went as far as saying that the ZEOD copied the rear light design...even though it's completely different.
The entire argument is based on the idea of "We're the only ones allowed to make cars with a thin nose". Which is so broad that it really cannot be enforced. Otherwise Ford (for example) could say "We're the only ones who can put the engine in the back of a vehicle with 4 wheels". Panoz aren't attempting to trademark/copyright any sort of technology - just a very broad idea. Whilst I am no fan of Nissans way of doing things, the Panoz law suit is basically patent trolling.
Panoz also get given a bunch of free passes to events that others are not allowed to enter. The Abruzzi did not meet the production numbers required (I don't think they sold any actually), yet was allowed into Sebring purely because Don owned it. Meanwhile, the SCG 003 has been denied entry into events for not having enough production units.
The DeltaWing was run at Le Mans in Garage 56 because it didn't conform to the technical regulations. Therefore it was the only place it could legally run. And then magically, Panoz buys it and lets it run in a class it doesn't meet the rules of. If somebody else turned up with a car that didn't meet the rules, they would either be denied entry, or DQ'd afterwards.
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