The Italian company Piaggio sued its competitor French company Peugeot, claiming that Peugeot’s Metropolis scooter not only resembles but imitates Piaggio’s MP3 scooter technology.
 

 
In the image, a comparison of the two types of scooters. (source: https://www.autocarpro.in/news-international/ieb-autotech-indian-automakers-drive-towards-carbonneutrality-80120)
 

The patents being considered are EP1363794, EP1561612, EP1571016 and EP1635234. No party filed a timely opposition to these patents, except for EP 234, which was revoked by the EPO in 2018.
 

The legal battle lasted over five years. According to the first-instance ruling by the French court, where the lawsuit was initially filed, Peugeot "stole" the idea, becoming one of the top sellers of the model. The model was notably more successful in France than in Italy.

The Milan court reached the same conclusion in January 2023, ruling in favor of Piaggio.

Furthermore, Peugeot’s legal team contested the judgements, arguing based on the EPO’s revocation of  EP 234.

A final ruling was issued in 2024, when Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation dismissed Peugeot's appeal as inadmissible.

It is now definitively established that the Italian portion of the European patents of Piaggio has been infringed. Peugeot is therefore prohibited from importing, exporting, marketing and advertising (including online) the Peugeot Metropolis in Italy. Piaggio is also entitled to compensation for the damages incurred. The Court of Appeal of Milan has determined that the damages Peugeot must pay to Piaggio amount to over 1 million euros.