Trademark infringement disputes are a dime a dozen, although they are not as rampant within the automotive trade in comparison with different companies. One of many few that got here to gentle was the emblem dispute between the French automaker Citroën and the Swedish carmaker Polestar, which reached a ruling in 2020.
Based on Le Monde, that dispute is now over. A Citroën spokesperson confirmed so with the French newspaper, saying that the complaints have been withdrawn and that the case is closed. Particulars of the decision weren’t disclosed.
The dispute between Citroën and Polestar dates again to 2017 when the latter grew to become a standalone automaker with sturdy ties with Volvo. With that got here a brand new Polestar brand that featured two chevrons pointing at one another, forming a four-pointed star.
Citroën – and subsequently, DS Vehicles, each Stellantis manufacturers – accused Polestar of counterfeiting and model picture infringement resulting from this brand revamp, citing feedback from Web customers who observed the similarities.
In 2020, a French courtroom dismissed the design infringement case, saying that there is a weak similarity between the logos plus their layouts differ from one another.
Nevertheless, Citroën received the case towards trademark infringement. The courtroom mentioned Polestar’s equally formed chevrons harkened to Citroën’s id as “the model with the chevrons.” Polestar might then inderectly profit from the repute of Citroën’s chevrons.
That mentioned, courtroom ordered Polestar to pay Citroën 150,000 euros in damages for the infringement of the trademark’s distinctive character. The Swedish automaker was additionally prohibited to make use of its brand in France for six months, a lot so that individuals in France weren’t capable of entry Polestar’s web site. The ruling by no means obtained lifted after the interval; Citroën even petitioned to increase the ruling throughout Europe earlier this yr.
With that dispute now settled, it appears to be like like Polestar can begin promoting its automobiles in France, transferring ahead. An official announcement could possibly be underway, so we’ll preserve an ear to the bottom.
