France bans unauthorized TOGG products following legal win for Türkiye

A French court has ordered a ban on the sale of products bearing the name “TOGG” produced by a company that registered the brand in France without authorization. The ruling prohibits further sales, advertising and exports of these goods.

Court orders ban on unauthorized TOGG-branded apparel

A legal battle has been won by Türkiye’s homegrown electric car brand, TOGG, after a French court ruled against a company accused of misusing the name. The company, which had registered the “TOGG” trademark in France and used it to sell clothing items such as t-shirts and tracksuits, was ordered to cease all advertising, sales, and exports of products bearing the name.

Additionally, the court ordered the closure of websites marketing the merchandise.

Clothing line under scrutiny

According to reports, the brand in question is Kor Group, led by company official Muhittin Sahin. The firm allegedly produced clothing items like t-shirts and tracksuits under the TOGG name without permission, selling them through a dedicated website, “toggstore.fr.” TOGG, the Turkish automaker, discovered this unauthorized usage and took legal action against the company.

Kor Group, in its defense, claimed that Muhittin Sahin has been residing in France for many years and is a recognized figure in the European fashion industry. They also argued that the “TOGG” trademark had been registered in France as early as 2021. However, the court sided with TOGG, determining that Kor Group and Muhittin Sahin had engaged in trademark infringement and unfair competition by using the name without proper authorization.

Court demands immediate halt and website block

The court’s ruling not only halts the production, sale, and export of the unauthorized TOGG-branded items but also orders the confiscation of the existing products.

Furthermore, it mandated the blocking of the websites “toggstore.fr” and “toggstorefr/fr,” which were being used for marketing and sales.

Celebrity endorsement sparks controversy

In a notable twist, Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima was seen wearing a TOGG-branded t-shirt produced by Sahin’s company back in 2023, which created a buzz on social media. However, the court’s recent ruling makes it clear that the brand name was being used without the rightful owner’s consent.

The court’s decision marks a significant victory for TOGG, reinforcing the importance of protecting brand integrity, especially as Türkiye’s national automotive brand continues to make strides in the international market.