The classic Porsche 911 is currently being disputed over design rights. Porsche had to suffer its first defeat before the European General Court (EGC). The judges came to the conclusion that the different versions of the Model 911 do not differ sufficiently from each other, so that the Community design in question is null and void due to a lack of individual character (judgment of 06.06.2019, file no. T-2010/18). Previously, the EUIPO (EU Office for Intellectual Property) had already granted the request for cancellation.

The plaintiff, the Nürnberger model construction company Autec, a manufacturer of toy and model cars, now does not need any licenses from the Porsche Group to build their vehicles.

A similar dispute about the VW models T5 and Caddy runs parallel. In contrast to Porsche, however, in the present case the judges ruled that the designs are legally valid.

Porsche now reserves the right to take further steps against this decision at the European Court of Justice (ECJ).