Dear Jaguar Fans, Be Aware - Building And Selling Your Own Jaguar Replica IS Illegal

This is sad news for those who ever dreamed of building on their own or even order a restomod version of a Jaguar-alike car. It seems that Jaguar finally managed to take their copyright matter into their own hands with their new F-Type and F-Pace on the roads.  So far, only Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works' new facility has legal rights since 2017 to restore and sell some of the company's classic models. The next project in line is building eight examples of the C-Type Classic Jaguar as part of a continuing program.

Other small businesses that offer such services are committing illegal actions that could end up in court. It’s a good victory for Jaguar after so many years of others smaller businesses thriving over the last decades on building restomods and replicas without being charged or build. From now on anyone who would like to do anything about Jaguar and Land Rover models will have to comply accordingly with the JLR new regulations.  

Just so you know that this is serious know that one business in Suffolk, England, was forced to close its doors due to the JLR's latest demands. And we’re telling you about a company that has been in the “Jaguar replicas building business” for almost 30 years. Minor things such as an artist using Land Rover models on gift cards were allegedly accused of copyright infringement.

"I had been making replicas since 1991 and the company was well aware of what I was doing," said 78-year-old Roger Williams, the owner of Suffolk Sportcars stated in his defense that the company was aware of his business since 1991. Now he lost his business due to the threats of court actions last year. This is a going stab in his back after a fruitful collaboration back in 1997 when the company asked him to take three of his cars for the JRL’s 75th anniversary.

A couple in Sweden got less lucky since they’re facing an exorbitant legal bill of £450,000 along with a court demand to demolish the cars when JLR won a case in January this year. They had great skills and experience in building C-Type replicas. According to Jaguar fans and hobbyists, the company's new approach is aggressive and disheartening. These actions bring an alarming indirect ignorance. According to the grandson of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons, Michael Quinn. the heavy-handed approach to reassert their position in the classic car and heritage world might’ve been sort out better if they tried first to engage in a constructive dialogue with the classic car movement.

JLR has its own reason for this approach. Plus, they do have legal rights over their Intellectual Property and demand a comply from those who make a profit from it are they right. Since 2017 they managed to obtain more legal protection to their copyright. The company appreciates the passion for its vehicles and brands, but everything has a limit and they can now protect their IP and take action in respect of infringement. Let’s hope there won’t be many court cases involving such a matter and every conflict will be solved peacefully.