Last Autumn it was
reported in the press that BMW had filed for trademark protection in Germany for "M1 CS" through "M8 CS" with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
We're almost one year further now, so let's check the
public WIPO website (use is easy and free of charge) whether BMW has filed in the meantime for trademark protection outside Germany:
- trademark protection filed for Germany:
- CS: M1 CS | M2 CS | M3 CS | M4 CS | M5 CS | M6 CS | M7 CS | M8 CS (November 2016)
- CSL: M1 CSL | M2 CSL | M3 CSL M4 CSL | M5 CSL | M6 CSL | M7 CSL | M8 CSL (January 2017)
- trademark protection filed also for International, U.S. and Canada:
- CS: M2 CS | M4 CS (March 2017)
- CSL: M2 CSL | M4 CSL | M8 CSL (April 2017)
So it's quite peculiar that only for M2, M4 and M8 trademark protection was filed outside Germany too (2017), unlike for M1, M3, M5, M6 and M7.
Other peculiarity: at first glance no trace (yet) of "M2 Competition" or "M2 GTS" in the
"Global Brand Database" of WIPO. Do know that filing for trademark protection does
not imply use of those trademarks. It can be done merely for strategic reasons: it definitely offers protection against competitors from using those trademarks (without permission). Remember Porsche forcing Aston Martin back in 2015 to refrain from using "GT3". Hence, the "Aston Martin Vantage GT3" was renamed "Aston Martin Vantage GT12" (see
here).
Despite the recently leaked
US-spec "M2 Competition" VINs all mentioning "M2 Competition" for the model with 3.0 S55 engine with 410hp metric output (302kW), it makes sense to assume that M2 variant(s) would be named either "M2 CS" or "M2 CSL".
Should BMW plan to use "M2 Competition", "M2 GTS", "ZCP", "Garching Package", "Driftmeister Edition" or whatever name imaginable (too), trademark protection for those word names would have been filed already (or BMW will still do so in the near future, except if deemed not eligible for trademark protection). But of course BMW can perfectly decide to use for example "M2 Competition" without trademarking it (as happened for example with "M4 GTS": at first glance no trace). As said before, trademarking is no requirement
as such - it's a requirement for protection.
CS (general):
015801971 - CS - EUIPO Trademark
Date of filing of the application: Sep 2, 2016
M2 CS:
DE302016109881 - M2 CS - German Trademark
Date of filing of the application: Nov 2, 2016 | Date of registration: Nov 22, 2016
79210274 - M2 CS - International Trademark
Date of the registration: March 11, 2017
79210274 - M2 CS - U.S. Trademark
Date of filing of the application: March 11, 2017
App.1825957 - M2 CS - Canadian Trademark
Date of filing of the application: March 7, 2017
M2 CSL:
DE302017100518 - M2 CSL - German Trademark
Date of filing of the application: Jan 19, 2017 | Date of the registration: Jan 26, 2017
1349110 - M2 CSL - International Trademark
Date of the registration: April 19, 2017
79209590 - M2 CSL - U.S. Trademark
Date of filing of the application: April 19, 2017
App.1831868 - M2 CSL - Canadian Trademark
Date of filing of the application: Apr 10, 2017
The point of this thread: one may get the impression that BMW is pretty keen on trademark protection for "M2 CS" and "M2 CSL" (Germany + International + U.S. + Canada) when you notice that BMW took steps, not a few years ago, but last November and again last January, March and April. All relatively recent. They did not do the same for M1, M3, M5, M6 and M7 (only Germany: last November). And neither for "M2 Competition" nor for "M2 GTS". Hence, the "M2 CS" or "M2 CSL" names
may surface someday in the future (maybe before F87 end of production (2020) ?).
Last month BMW M boss Frank Van Meel confirmed a "CSL" reboot and explained the envisioned distinction between future "CS" and "CSL" ///M models:
BMW Is Bringing CSL Back
The name that adorned two of BMW's greatest creations, the 3.0 CSL and the E46 M3 CSL, will be applied to future M cars. We hope that means we'll see an M2 CSL.
By Chris Perkins - Sep 13, 2017
Earlier this year, BMW debuted the M4 CS, a car designed to sit between the Competition Package and the ultra-hardcore M4 GTS. Of course, bringing back the CS designation, which stands for Coupe Sport, got our hopes up for a return of the CSL, the Coupe Sport Light. BMW M boss Frank Van Meel just told us that this is actually happening for future M cars.
Van Meel said that the CSL designation will replace GTS on the four-rung hierarchy of M cars, which starts with the base model then progresses to Competition Pack, CS, then CSL. Like the GTS, CSLs will be BMW M's most hardcore offerings.
"CSL [will be] the top-of-the-line track tool, made on the track for the track, just with a number plate," Van Meel said. With a CSL, you can expect cup tires, coilover suspension, a roll cage, water injection, and a fire extinguisher. Van Meel says that the CS on the other hand is "also a track tool, but with four seats," and more emphasis on comfort.
Now, Van Meel couldn't tell us what future M cars will get the CSL designation—it's typical for automakers to decline comment on future products—but he did say we'll never see an X5 M CSL. Given recent spy photos and rumors, we suspect that an M2 CSL might be a real possibility. Either that, or BMW M is developing Competition Pack and CS versions of its smallest car.
Van Meel is also open to four-door M cars with CSL branding, even if they aren't coupes. So perhaps we could see an M3 or M5 CSL, though the latter would be an odd choice for making an all-out track car.
Enthusiasts will no doubt be happy about the return of the CSL name, but it also adds pressure to BMW M. The only two cars in its history to have that badge, the 3.0 CSL and the E46 M3 CSL, are among BMW's most beloved cars. Any future CSL has a lot of legacy to live up to.
(source: here)