Manheim auctions are among the largest wholesale auto auctions in the world. The company runs 145 auctions in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. These auctions feature a wide variety of used cars. If you’re interested in buying a used car at an affordable price, check out one of their auctions.
The system works by allowing remote bidders to participate in live auctions at Manheim auction houses. It’s integrated into the company’s IBM mainframe computer operating system. The software was developed by IBM, which had previously developed similar remote bidding software for a rival auction company. One Manheim employee said the software developed for IBM was not Manheim’s.
In a trademark infringement case, the plaintiff must show there is a likelihood of confusion among relevant consumers. This is the case with Manheim and the case of Portland Auto Auctions. In the case of trademark infringement, the court will consider whether a business used its name to market itself. The court will also consider whether this is unfair competition or trademark infringement.
The Manheim Auto Auction started out as a small local affair. In 1947, it expanded to a larger building and sold 33 cars from a single “lane.” As the business expanded, the company began selling cars in bulk, and by the 1960s, it had grown to eight lanes. Today, it sells over 2,000 vehicles a week.
The company’s growth continued in the 1990s, fueled by the increasing prices of new cars. Modern vehicles lasted longer than their predecessors of 20 years ago. By 1995, the average car on the road was eight years old – two years older than the average car from 1970. In 1994, Manheim held its first satellite auction. In 1994, the company reported that used car auctions sold $50 billion worth of cars.
Although the company’s current location is temporary, the company is planning to move to permanent space in the next year. They have set a specific number of acres for their auctions and are working toward finding that space. For now, they are holding auctions every Thursday at 1 pm. The company expects to have permanent space for the business within a year.
In the lawsuit, AMS asserts that Manheim’s use of ringman’s name and logo is trademark infringement under the Lanham Act and common law. Manheim counters that the lawsuits are unfounded and does not show that Manheim violated trademark law. In the end, it’s up to the Court to decide if AMS has any legal grounds to sue for trademark infringement.
The company has a number of internet auction platforms, including Manheim Simulcast. This platform allows for remote bidding for a live auction. Simulcast allows people to bid on a vehicle without physically being at the auction site.
