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New Delhi: In most business scenarios, conflict at some point will eventually arise, but partnerships survive when they are worked through those differences. It is, of course, best that the strife happens out of any lawsuit. However, that’s not the way things are for Aston Martin and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which has a stake of 18 per cent of the famed British automaker. 

Aston is taking Geely back to court in the UK, appealing a decision from three years earlier that the winged logo for Geely’s London electric taxi subsidiary infringed upon the brand’s iconic emblem, which goes back to 1927. The UK’s Intellectual Property Official tribunal had previously decided that winged insignias are quite common in the automotive industry, giving examples of Mini and Bentley as other prominent examples, following Aston’s initial claim.

Now Aston is seeking to overturn that earlier ruling, though for Geely, which raised its stake in the company the same year that first decision came, this is standard procedure. 

Geely has said it is a routine legal process in trademark confirmation

A spokesperson from the Chinese conglomerate told The Telegraph, “This is a routine legal process in trademark confirmation and does not represent an unusual or hostile ‘legal battle.” Geely is the majority owner of Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. The spokesperson went on to say that such conflicts were quite usual in business and commercial brand protection.

Aston’s official line comes slightly more aggressively, with a representative from the brand telling the newspaper that they won’t be commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings. Aston Martin has maintained that protecting its brand identity and intellectual property is a top priority for them, adding that it will continue to take the necessary measures to defend its trademarks in crucial markets.

Whether the disputed logos are legally distinct enough is something that will be decided by intellectual property authorities in the UK. However, the situation is notable given the corporate links involved. The London EV Company goes back to the early 2010s, when Manganese Bronze Holdings, the former parent of London Taxi International, had gone into administration. 

Geely stepped in to acquire the business and subsequently established LEVC in its present form. The company’s earlier winged emblem was significantly slimmer in design compared to the broader, more prominent logo that has now drawn Aston Martin’s attention.