Ferrari did not sue Deadmau5, according to the available reporting: Ferrari North America sent him a cease-and-desist letter in 2014, and a later retrospective says no lawsuit was filed. The reported flashpoint was custom Purrari branding on his Nyan Cat-wrapped Ferrari 458, particularly the badges and floor mats—not a court ruling about the car or a proven dispute over its performance.
What happened with the Purrari?
Deadmau5, whose real name is Joel Zimmerman, customized a Ferrari 458 with a Nyan Cat-themed vinyl wrap and Purrari badges. Contemporary reporting also identified custom floor mats as part of the issue. After Ferrari sent a cease-and-desist letter, Deadmau5 publicly referred to the letter and said he had removed the wrap; his reported comments singled out the badges and floor mats.
Time’s July 2014 report described Deadmau5 and then-Toronto Mayor Rob Ford riding in the customized Ferrari, showing that the car had become a public story before the cease-and-desist coverage. That context does not establish Ferrari’s legal rationale.
Why did Ferrari object?
The clearest reported explanation is the custom branding: Deadmau5’s public comments, quoted by Jalopnik, described the letter as being mostly about the Purrari badges and custom floor mats. Stites & Harbison’s legal commentary characterized the letter as alleging trademark infringement. Ferrari’s letter itself was not located, and no official Ferrari statement was found in the research, so its exact wording and demands cannot be independently confirmed.
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A possible contract issue related to a sale listing has also been raised, but it is not established as Ferrari’s stated reason for sending the letter. Keep that possibility separate from the reported objection to the custom branding.
| Reported explanation | What the research supports | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Purrari badges and floor mats | Deadmau5’s comments, quoted in contemporary coverage, identified these as the main focus. | Directly reported comments |
| Trademark infringement | A 2014 law-firm commentary described Ferrari’s letter as alleging infringement. | Legal commentary; the letter itself was not located |
| Sale listing and right of first refusal | Commentary discussed a possible contract issue after the car was listed for sale. | Possible explanation, not confirmed as Ferrari’s reason |
Did Ferrari sue Deadmau5?
The available sources describe a cease-and-desist letter, not a lawsuit. A 2026 LegalClarity retrospective says no lawsuit was filed; the reviewed research identifies no court ruling or legal determination of Ferrari’s claims. The popular shorthand that Ferrari “sued” Deadmau5 overstates what the reporting establishes.
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What changed after the letter?
Deadmau5 said he removed the wrap and badges, and contemporary reporting relayed his comments about the custom floor mats. A later retrospective also says the customized wrap and badges were removed. The exact terms Ferrari demanded remain unverified because the letter itself was not located.
FAQ
What was the Purrari?
It was Deadmau5’s Ferrari 458 customized with a Nyan Cat-themed vinyl wrap and Purrari badges. Reporting also mentioned custom floor mats.
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Why did Ferrari send a cease-and-desist letter?
Contemporary reporting quoted Deadmau5 saying the issue was mostly the custom badges and floor mats. A law-firm commentary described Ferrari’s letter as alleging trademark infringement, but the letter’s text and Ferrari’s exact demands were not found.
Was Deadmau5 sued or taken to court?
The sources reviewed report a cease-and-desist letter and no filed lawsuit. No court ruling on the dispute is established by this research.
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Was the sale listing the reason for Ferrari’s letter?
That is not confirmed. Legal commentary raised a possible right-of-first-refusal contract issue connected to a sale listing, but available reporting does not establish it as Ferrari’s stated reason for sending the letter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sources and limits
This account draws on Damon Lavrinc’s August 27, 2014 Jalopnik report, Stites & Harbison PLLC’s October 9, 2014 legal commentary, LegalClarity’s June 29, 2026 retrospective, and Time’s July 31, 2014 report. The Ferrari letter and an official company statement were not located, so the exact legal demands and the role of the sale listing remain unverified.
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