tchanson

Thanks for the info bite of the day, John. That would explain all those goofy three character prefixes on factory parts from Pelican, for example, that replace the factory 911., 930., 993. etc. numbers...

Tim

JasonAndreas

You can't trademark a number or copyright a list of numbers in the USA so how the hell do they get away with this? Is it just that no one has bothered?

John D.

Well - you can trademark the Triangular “P”®, which appears on all Porsche Authorized parts - which they have successfully claimed and defended as part of their "mark".

Second, the Porsche Authorized part, with that registered mark - has the "Porsche Part Number". By virtue of combining the Registered Mark with the part number - the basis to the protection is in "..which Porsche has developed substantial goodwill" - which again, is defensible and is associated to both the number in conjunction with Triangular “P” - and certification that the "part" is in compliance with national safety regulations (TUV, DOT, whatever...).

Third, there are also "after market" producers of many parts, which will not have the Triangular “P” (they can not use it, as they are not licensed), and therefore, a legal position can be rendered that by allowing use of the "Porsche Part Numbers", a reasonable person may be confused as to what parts may be "Porsche Authorized" and/or certified (claims as to dilution and confusion on their original mark), which Porsche takes reasonable efforts to protect.

However - my disclaimer is......

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