Polestar Blocked from France as logo ruled too similar to Citroen

The Polestar 2 is certain to be a Tesla killer. That is… once they’re done with all the recalls, and once they’re allowed to start selling it. Yes, that’s right –– one of the most exciting performance EVs to hit the market has suffered yet another setback in France:

A trademark dispute over its logo has left Polestar, the electric-vehicle brand owned by Volvo Cars and Geely, temporarily unable to launch its cars in France.

Ruling in a case that dates back to 2017, a French has court found that Polestar’s logo is similar enough to Citroen’s “double chevron” design as well as the logo of DS Automobiles, formerly a Citroen sub-brand, to potentially confuse car buyers. 

Automotive News

Here’s the Citroen logo, for comparison:

The court, in a ruling dated June 4 and published in July, ordered Polestar to pay Citroen 150,000 euros in damages as well as legal fees, and banned the use of the Polestar logo in France for six months.

Automotive News

Oooooooooofffff

French visitors to Polestar’s website see only a white page with the message: “Access to the Polestar site is not accessible to the French public due to territorial restrictions on the use of French trademarks no. 016898173 and no. 01689532.”

Automotive News

Thank god for government! Imagine how confused French people would be if they were allowed to see that website.

According to French court documents, Citroen’s parent company PSA Group first asked Volvo Cars in September 2017 to halt the use of the Polestar logo. French internet users had noticed the similarities earlier that year, soon after the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid coupe was displayed at the Geneva auto show.

Automotive News

I didn’t even know Polestar existed in 2017.

It’s not clear whether Polestar would have to change its logo to sell in France, or even when the brand might appear in the country. 

Polestar said in a statement that the automaker was not selling vehicles in France and “currently have no plans to do so.” The company said it could not say any more on the subject because of an “ongoing legal matter.”

Citroen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Automotive News

Come on guys. The logos don’t look anything alike. If someone wants to buy an electric car, let them buy it. Don’t force EV makers to pay off the polluting car companies.

Read the full story at Automotive News

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