DeLorean Lawsuit Settled Just in Time for Back to the Future Day

Where are those hoverboards, anyway?

Christopher Lloyd back in character as Back to the Future's Doc Brown. Photo: Universal Studios.

Amid celebrations of the super-official, long-awaited Back to the Future Day today, a settlement has been reached in the lawsuit over the rights to the name DeLorean, the make of the iconic vehicle converted into a time machine by Christopher Lloyd’s Doc Brown in the Back to the Future films. The Associated Press brings news of the suit’s resolution.

On October 21, 2015, Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, arrived in the future in the beloved 1985 film, Back to the Future Part II, having traveled to the past in the first film in the franchise.

A screenshot from <Em>Back to the Future Part II</em>. Photo: Universal Pictures.

A screenshot from Back to the Future Part II.
Photo: Universal Pictures.

While the interwebs bemoan the continued lack of mass-produced hoverboards, Sally DeLorean, widow of automaker John DeLorean, who died in 2005, has settled her suit against the DeLorean Motor Company. The Texas-based firm had never been formally affiliated with John DeLorean’s outfit, which went bankrupt in the early 1980s.

She had accused the company of illegally licensing the family name to companies including Nike, Apple, and Urban Outfitters, and selling DeLorean-branded clothing, notebooks, and other items.

A screenshot from <Em>Back to the Future Part II</em>. Photo: Universal Pictures.

A screenshot from Back to the Future Part II.
Photo: Universal Pictures.

The DeLorean Motor Company will pay her an undisclosed sum in exchange for the rights to keep its name, trademarks, and logo. John DeLorean’s estate will retain most of the rights to his name, likeness, and aspects of his personal life.

DeLorean Motor Company vice president James Espey told the AP that he “is happy to have this behind us so there’s no question what our rights are.”

A screenshot from <Em>Back to the Future Part II</em>. Photo: Universal Pictures.

A screenshot from Back to the Future Part II.
Photo: Universal Pictures.

Although only 9,000 DeLorean cars were ever produced, the vehicle’s appearance in the popular films turned DeLorean into a household name. The car is best-remembered for its iconic gull-wing doors, which swing open from the top, rather than the side.

Official Back to the Future Day celebrations include a limited-edition release of Pepsi Perfect, which McFly drank in the film. Fans unable to get their hands on one of the 6,500 bottles, handed out at New York Comic Con and now selling for $20.15, have been outspoken in their disappointment on social media, as reported by CNN.

The DeLorean in Back to the Future. Photo: Universal Pictures.

The DeLorean in Back to the Future.
Photo: Universal Pictures.

Time and Vox took a look at some of the film’s craziest inventions, and found that some of director Robert Zemeckis’ vision of the future is now a reality, including personal drones and Google Glass-like video glasses.

One Back to the Future Part II prediction in danger of not coming true? A World Series Championship for the Chicago Cubs, now facing elimination at the hands of the New York Mets.

A chart of how <Em>Back to the Future Part II</em> predictions fared. Photo: Vox.

A chart of how Back to the Future Part II predictions fared.
Photo: Vox.

Watch a video of Christopher Lloyd created for Back to the Future Day:


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