Ninth Circuit Court Rules Ford Mustang “Eleanor” Lacks Copyright Eligibility in Landmark Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has recently ruled on a significant intellectual property case regarding the iconic 1967 Ford Mustang known as “Eleanor.” Featured prominently in the 2000 Nicolas Cage movie “Gone in 60 Seconds,” as well as earlier films, the vehicle does not qualify as a copyrightable character. This decision comes amidst debates over the nuanced definitions of characters in intellectual property law. The panel’s ruling clarifies that despite its distinctive design and role in the film, the “Eleanor” Mustang does not meet the legal criteria for copyright protection. For more details on the case and the court’s reasoning, visit the Law360 article.