The German automobile company Audi has successfully defended its trademark rights to its iconic four-ring badge in a recent case at the European Court of Justice (ECJ). On Thursday, the ECJ ruled in favor of Audi against a Polish car parts trader, GQ. The automaker is entitled to forbid the use of a sign that is the same as or similar to its trademark for replacement components sold by the said trader, the court decide.

Audi Secures Sole Rights for Iconic Four-Ring Badge

Audi had brought the case against GQ for selling radiator grills designed for older Audi car models, which featured a component resembling the distinctive Audi four-ring badge. As reports stated,
the car parts dealer contested the case, raising doubts about whether employing the emblem in the parts' sale constituted a trademark rights infringement and whether Audi had the authority to restrict the logo's usage in this context.

The ECJ concluded that Audi indeed possessed the authority to protect its trademark rights, as it determined that the component designed to secure the car logo on the non-original radiator grills also served a marketing function.

The matter is now sent back to the Polish national court system for the implementation of a conclusive judgment in accordance with the ECJ's verdict. Another report from Reuters, as shared in Yahoo Finance, stated that the lawsuit, initially presented to a court located in Warsaw, centers on an internet-based Polish merchant that marketed modified radiator grilles tailored for vintage Audi vehicles, featuring a specially crafted slot for Audi's four-ring logo.

Audi contested the design in question, and the Warsaw court asked the European Court of Justice to clarify whether Audi had the right to prohibit the sale of certain parts as the owner of the trademark.

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The EU court responded by affirming that employing a form resembling Audi's logo without its authorization could potentially breach trademark legislation. Furthermore, the court affirmed that the shape can be seen by individuals seeking to purchase such a replacement component.

This potential connection between the particular spare part and the proprietor of the AUDI trademark has now placed the final decision in the hands of the Polish court.

Iconic Four-Ring Badge

As shared by Road Track website, the four rings symbolize the merger of four distinct automobile manufacturers in 1932, forming what was initially known as the Auto Union. The oldest among these automakers, Horch, was established in 1899 by the German engineer August Horch.

Subsequently, Mr. Horch departed from his eponymous company to establish a new automaker, Audi, which also earned a ring in the logo. A side note: "Horch" bears a striking resemblance to the German word for "listen," while "Audi" represents the Latin translation of the verb.

The remaining two companies consist of Wanderer, founded in 1911, and DKW, originally a steam-engine manufacturer established in 1916, which ventured into car production in 1928.

After World War II, Auto Union faced financial and labor difficulties in the mid-1950s, leading to its acquisition by Daimler-Benz in 1958. However, it continued to encounter financial challenges and was eventually sold to Volkswagen in 1964.

Following Volkswagen's takeover, Auto Union began marketing vehicles under the Audi name. In 1969, the company also acquired another carmaker, NSU. Consequently, it adopted the somewhat cumbersome name Audi NSU Auto Union AG, which it retained until 1985 when it was simplified to Audi AG.

In a more concise version, after World War II, Auto Union went through ownership changes, with Daimler-Benz and later Volkswagen taking over. Subsequently, it transitioned to the Audi brand and eventually became Audi AG. One might ponder what the automotive landscape would be like if one of the other brands, like Horch, had survived instead of Audi. That's the story behind the iconic four-ring badge symbol, trademark for Audi cars.

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