![Toy building set "LEGO Creator 10252 - VW Beetle"](/upload/2024-VW-Spielbausatz-Lego-327678.jpg "Toy building set "LEGO Creator 10252 - VW Beetle"")
2nd prize - "LEGO Creator 10252 - VW Beetle" toy building set
Left Original: Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, Germany
Counterfeit on the right: GDR-Trading BV, Meppel, Netherlands
The iconic VW Beetle is protected throughout the EU as a 3D trademark, i.e. the three-dimensional Beetle shape is a separate trademark. Naturally, Volkswagen has also protected the famous "VW in a circle" trademark worldwide. In this case, both the Beetle 3D mark and the "VW in a circle" mark are infringed. In addition to the kit for the VW Beetle, GDR-Trading also offered other fakes via its online stores in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. The fakes were advertised with photos of the original kits and the statement "that the finished model looks true to the original". The fakes were delivered in plastic bags wrapped in bubble wrap. GDR has signed a cease-and-desist declaration and provided information on sales figures. Some of the counterfeits cost half the price of the original licensed kits, which is reflected in the lack of stability and quality of the finished products, among other things.