EU court rules that TDI is not a brand.
>> EU court rules that TDI is not a brand. |
According to Germany’s Autobild, Audi and VW filed a motion in a Luxembourg court to trademark the TDI initials in all of Europe.
The court delivered its verdict on July 6th, 2011, and ruled that Audi cannot trademark the TDI initials because they represent a technical feature, not a brand. The verdict went on to explain that the technical feature (Turbo Diesel Injection or Turbo Direct Injection) does not belong to Audi and that many other cars use injected turbo diesel engines, so giving Audi the exclusive right to them would be unfair.
This means that if Renault wants to release the Clio TDI they are free to do so under European law. Conversely, Audi is free to launch the Q3 dCi or the A7 CDI, though it’s highly unlikely that any manufacturer would go to such lengths.
Audi responded to the verdict by saying that it has already registered the TDI name in numerous European countries but was shooting for a Europe-wide trademark.
The court delivered its verdict on July 6th, 2011, and ruled that Audi cannot trademark the TDI initials because they represent a technical feature, not a brand. The verdict went on to explain that the technical feature (Turbo Diesel Injection or Turbo Direct Injection) does not belong to Audi and that many other cars use injected turbo diesel engines, so giving Audi the exclusive right to them would be unfair.
This means that if Renault wants to release the Clio TDI they are free to do so under European law. Conversely, Audi is free to launch the Q3 dCi or the A7 CDI, though it’s highly unlikely that any manufacturer would go to such lengths.
Audi responded to the verdict by saying that it has already registered the TDI name in numerous European countries but was shooting for a Europe-wide trademark.
Comentário