EU Granted Vespa Primavera 125 Trademark Protection

The European Union Intellectual Property Office has secured legal rights for the scooter's signature shape.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Motocycles

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a simplified navy blue silhouette of a vintage-style scooter frame against a cream background.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office has granted a three-dimensional trademark covering the physical design profile of the Vespa Primavera 125 scooter. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The European Union Intellectual Property Office has granted a three-dimensional trademark for the Vespa Primavera 125 design. This registration covers all 27 member states and protects the overall physical profile of the scooter for both two-wheeled vehicles and scale models.

Why it matters

This move strengthens intellectual property protections for the iconic scooter design across the European bloc. Manufacturers with European export ambitions must now carefully navigate these specific design rights when developing new products.

The registration applies to the Vespa Primavera 125, which features 12-inch wheels and a color LCD instrument display. The protection spans the entire 27-member European Union, though it excludes markets like India.

The players

Piaggio

The Italian manufacturer is the parent company of Vespa and the entity that secured the EU-wide trademark.

European Union Intellectual Property Office

This agency is responsible for managing intellectual property rights across the European Union member states.

The details

Piaggio successfully secured the trademark by registering the entire physical profile of the scooter rather than protecting individual components. While Italy previously held a domestic registration for the design, this new ruling unifies the protection across all 27 European Union member states.

Timeline

  1. September 22, 2026: Official publication of the trademark news.

Roadmap

This trademark decision reflects a broader trend in the automotive and powersports industry to prioritize the protection of legacy design language as a key market asset. By securing 3D rights, manufacturers are increasingly insulating their classic models against competitors in the global market.

This trademark limits the availability of third-party knockoff parts and lookalike models within European borders. Owners of genuine Vespa scooters may see fewer aftermarket aesthetic clones, helping preserve the long-term brand value of their vehicles.

The takeaway

Securing cross-border trademark rights remains a critical strategy for manufacturers defending heritage product lines against global imitation. Prospective buyers in non-EU markets should remain aware that these specific protections do not extend to regions like India.

Further reading

Learn more about design trends and legal protections in the Motorcycles sector.

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Should companies be allowed to trademark the physical shape of their products to prevent imitation?