"As the Internet has expanded, Porsche has become the victim of trademark infringement," said Patricia R. Britton, General Counsel of Porsche Cars North America. "Porsche is one of the most recognized and respected trademarks in the world. As a result, trademark infringers want to capitalize on the good will and reputation of Porsche in establishing their presence on the Internet. These infringers range from operators of hardcore pornographic web sites to speculators who attempt to profit from the registration and trafficking of domain names that use the trademark Porsche."

In an in rem lawsuit, a plaintiff sues property or things rather than persons or entities. Therefore, Porsche is not suing the individuals or entities that registered the domain names, but the domain names themselves. The suit was filed in Virginia because the domain names and their registry certificates are located with Network Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. Upon filing the lawsuit, Network Solutions will deposit the domain name registry certificates with the Clerk of the Court and the Court will then have complete dominion and jurisdiction over the domain names. The Court will then be requested to allow Porsche to give notice to the registrants of the domain names who can then appear in Court and explain why they should be allowed to continue to use the domain names. If a domain name is not claimed by a registrant who has a legitimate reason for registering and/or using the domain name, Porsche will request that the Court delete or transfer the domain name to Porsche.

Porsche is proceeding in an in rem lawsuit because it has discovered that many of the registrants of the domain names infringing on the trademark Porsche use fictitious names and addresses, and provide other false information in registering the domain names to insulate themselves from service of process. Some of the domain names are registered by United States companies or individuals who create fictitious offshore corporations that then register the domain names. The anonymity of the Internet allows trademark infringers to establish such fronts so that service of process on the registrants is impossible.

Leasing and Financing

Leasing, financing and balloon payment plans for new and pre-owned Porsche sports cars are offered by Porsche Credit Corporation. Conventional fixed rate financing is available for new and qualifying used Porsches with standard terms up to 84 months and 72 months, respectively.

For lease customers, the Porsche Preferred Lease program is available for new and qualified used Porsches with lease terms as long as 60 months. The Porsche Preferred Lease requires no security deposit and offers free gap protection. A single payment lease is also available.

Porsche Options, an innovative retail balloon loan, combines the economies of leasing with the benefits of ownership for new and qualifying used Porsches. Porsche Credit Corporation also offers conventional and Porsche Options financing to U.S. customers participating in Porsche Cars North America's tourist delivery program.