Vespa Primavera given EU-wide protection against clone designs

Vespa’s iconic Primavera scooter has become fully protected against imitation or clone designs across all 27 EU countries.

This was confirmed by Vespa’s owners Piaggio, with the two-wheel design now recognised as a protected three-dimensional trademark by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

This means the scooter’s shape and design is what’s protected, however, it does not extend itself to lettering, or indeed the logo. 

Securing protection at European level follows earlier registrations already secured in Italy as of February 2024, and the UK in November 2025.

The EUIPO approved the registration for the Primavera to be protected as both a two-wheel vehicle and through scale models. 

According to Piaggio, the EUIPO clarified a key point regarding the stylistic development of the Primavera range, confirming future variants of the scooter would not affect its protection “as the model to which the application refers may be regarded as an evolution of preceding models, while retaining their distinctive features.”

The EUIPO finished its ruling by referencing Vespa’s longstanding presence in the two-wheel segment not just in Europe, but also globally, saying:

“Vespa has been present on the market not only in the European Union but throughout the world for over 70 years. This long-standing use has made it an icon in the motorcycling sector, to such an extent that the target consumers immediately recognise it as indicative of a specific commercial origin. Although the design has undergone some changes over the years, the modifications have not altered its essential characteristics or its distinctive core.”

The level of protection sanctioned by the EUIPO allows Vespa to operate with a high degree of flexibility when it comes to future Primavera models.  

That being said, there are some elements of the design that need to be kept intact, mainly surrounding the model’s defining characteristics. 

Vespa is one of several companies owned by the Piaggio Group, which also includes Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Derbi.

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