Porsche Taycan’s Sound Wasn’t Distinctive Enough for EUIPO
Porsche’s attempt to trademark the Taycan’s sound was blocked by the EUIPO because it isn’t unique enough.
Despite all EVs having a distinct sound, the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) denied Porsche’s trademark application due to a lack of distinction. Porsche’s application argued that the fake engine sound added to the Taycan emits a “futuristic, melodious, and has a certain tempo as well as motives and dynamics.”
The Taycan utilizes a speaker hidden near the front of the vehicle to emit a sound in order to alert pedestrians of a moving vehicle, and for Porsche owners, the Taycan has the zoomies. It helps the driver feel like the Porsche is accelerating quickly and provokes the passion Porsche owners have.
The Taycan, Porsche said, has such a signature sound, that it should be obvious enough to bystanders that the sound is coming from a Porsche. It reportedly “combines the typical features of a musical composition” to create a “memorable and unusual sound.”
Porsche’s application went on to compare the Taycan’s sound to the “opening motif of Beethoven’s fifth symphony, KITT’s scanner from the Knight Rider television series, or the sound of the Lightsabers from the Star Wars film series.”
The EUIPO denied Porsche’s application, saying that the sound “does not distinguish a Porsche from any other,” and “the fact that the vehicles themselves do not produce that sound may be known to customers, but in no way gives them the ability to distinguish the application’s goods and services from similar ones offered by other companies.”
To add insult to injury, Porsche’s references to Beethoven, Knight Rider and Star Wars seemed to strike a nerve, with the EUIPO noting that the references are “no longer relevant to today’s world.”
Naturally, Porsche is gearing up to appeal the EUIPO’s decision, hoping to further inspire the board.
Photos: Porsche
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