The CJEU followed the advice of AG Campos Sánchez-Bordona, which we commented on previously (‘Unintentionally becoming an apparent producer…‘). The literal interpretation of Article 3(1) of the PLD requires apparent producers to take action to mislead consumers as to their participation in the production process by ‘putting’ their name etc. on a product. The CJEU explains that such active steps do not need to be limited to a physical act of placing a name etc. on a consumer product. Instead, we should look into the ‘conduct of a person who uses the affixing of his or her name, trade mark or other distinguishing feature on a product in order to give the impression of being involved in the production process or of assuming responsibility for it’ (para 40). This is a very liberal approach, as what suffices is the sole fact of apparent producers benefiting from presenting themselves as actual producers, stemming from consumers believing the product’s quality will be higher as if they have bought it directly from the actual producer (para 41).
In the given case it did not matter then that Ford Italia did not put their name or trade mark on the car that has been sold to a consumer, which car proved defective. It was sufficient that they shared (a part of) their name and trade mark with the actual producer, Ford WAG, and it was present on the car. Moreover, CJEU emphasised that apparent and actual producers are jointly and severally liable, which means consumers may choose to raise a claim against the apparent producer (para 44). National procedural rules may then allow such apparent producers to have recourse from the actual producer (para 47).
As a side note, it is worth it to note para 45 of this judgment. In it the CJEU addresses interpretation of Art. 3(3) of the PLD, which requires suppliers to promptly identify the actual producer in order not to be held liable instead of them. The CJEU recalls the historical background to this provision, which seems to suggest that more could be required from suppliers in such cases than simply ‘referring’ consumers to actual producers, with whom consumers may not be familiar. As Italian courts in the Ford Italia cases wanted the supplier to ‘implicate’ the actual producer in the actual proceedings, rather than simply identifying them, this may indeed prove to be the proper course of action.