This will get rid of some competition in Europe.From the...

This will get rid of some competition in Europe.

From the Brisbane Times.

The company in charge of Vespa scooters, Piaggio, initiated a crackdown on Chinese “imitations” in Italy earlier this week.

The Italian company enlisted the local arm of the Guardia di Finanza law enforcement agency to seize 11 rip-off scooters showcased at the 2013 EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan.

The scooters - which were being showcased by seven different Chinese manufacturers - were deemed to be in breach of “the exclusive Piaggio Group right constituted by the three-dimensional trademark registered by Piaggio, which protects the characteristic shape of the Vespa”.
Guardia di Finanza law enforcement agency seized 11 rip-off scooters showcased at the 2013 EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan.

Guardia di Finanza law enforcement agency seized 11 rip-off scooters showcased at the 2013 EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan.

Piaggio released a statement on the situation: “The Piaggio Group considers the initiative of the Guardia di Finanza to be of great significance in the defence of industrial property rights. As in every other country where Piaggio has taken specific action against counterfeits, the action of the Italian police is a further element for the protection of companies that compete lawfully on world markets.”
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Chinese copies of the Piaggio Vespa have proliferated in recent years, and it’s not the first time the Italian brand has had copycat two-wheelers seized from the show - reports state a similar seizure of counterfeit bikes occurred at the same event in 2012.
We don't expect to see a similar seizure of lookalike bikes at this weekend's 2013 Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show.