"F1 is ours, and no one else can have it.”

LONDON—Formula 1 Management has issued cease and desist letters to several major keyboard manufacturers, demanding that they remove the “F1” key from their products. The racing organization claims that the “F1” designation is a trademarked property of Formula 1, and that its use on computer keyboards constitutes a copyright violation.

A spokesperson for Formula 1 Management explained the rationale behind the move. “The F1 brand is one of the most recognizable and valuable in the world of motorsports. We believe that the use of ‘F1’ on keyboards creates confusion among consumers and dilutes our brand. F1 is ours, and no one else can have it.”

The legal action has sparked debate across the tech industry, with some questioning the validity of Formula 1’s claim. Keyboard manufacturers argue that the “F1” key has been a standard feature on keyboards for decades.

“We were stunned when we received the letter,” said a representative from a leading keyboard manufacturer, who requested anonymity. “The F1 key is an essential part of modern computing. It’s been on keyboards since the beginning, and it’s clearly not related to Formula 1 racing. This claim is stupid.”

Despite the backlash, Formula 1 Management remains firm in its stance, reportedly preparing to take legal action if the keyboard manufacturers do not comply. “We’re serious about protecting our brand,” the F1 spokesperson continued. “We’re not asking for much—just that these companies respect our intellectual property and change decades of keyboard design.”

As the dispute escalates, many in the tech community are left wondering what precedent this could set and have started reaching out to content creators who have also been victims of cease and desist orders from Formula 1. These creators, who have faced similar accusations over the use of F1-related content, are now sharing their experiences and offering advice on how to handle the situation.