Italian Court rules in Ferrari’s favor and orders Philipp Plein to pay $350,000 in damages

Remember Philipp Plein? Yeah, the Instagram-happy fashion designer who’s battled legal issues with Ferrari over the past year for allegedly using the brand’s cars to promote his product on social media (in rather questionable fashion, we might add). Well, the situation is not so favourable for him right now.

In a recent Instagram post, the fashion designer shared that Italy’s Court had ruled in Ferrari’s favor & ordered him to pay €300,000 (around $350,000 or P16 million) to the Italian carmaker in damages. Needless to say, the dude wasn’t very happy with the decision—which, as he stressed on Instagram, is not yet final. 

On Social Media Plein said that “The press recently picked up a decision of an Italian court in which the judge ruled that I should pay €300,000 damages to Ferrari!"

“This is by no means a final victory of Ferrari! Important: This decision is not a final decision! This decision was appealed by me & my lawyers! The next hearing will take place in 2021 in spring! I will keep on fighting for my rights! At the same time I want to remind everybody that in the beginning, Ferrari was claiming damages for a total €2 million!”

Plein did not stop there. The designer went on to share how he finds Ferrari’s handling of the issue amusing, & called for the car manufacturer to simply work with him to donate the amount he’s been ordered to pay to a good cause.

“Instead of wasting your time & money guys, you should agree on donating the requested amount together with me for a good cause!” Plein wrote.

“There are so many people in need. I am willing to accept the latest decision & will not appeal against it if both parties would agree to donate the amount for a good cause!” he added, saying he is willing to pass on an appeal if Ferrari agrees to take this route with him.

To cap his rant, Plein said Ferrari management “should put the same energy in trying to win in Formula 1 again.”

Well, that was a lot to take in. What’s your take on this? Should Plein be allowed to do whatever he wants with cars he bought using his own money, or should Ferrari have some say in how the dude presents the brand on social media?  

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