start-ups

Bottle shape as a brand – Coca-Cola

Bottle shape as a brand – Coca-Cola

A variation of the famous protected Coca-Cola bottle was registered as a three-dimensional trade mark. Why was it possible for this shape of product be protected as a trade mark?

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Prosecution for brand violation despite legal advice

Prosecution for brand violation despite legal advice

You’ve spotted a new sales opportunity for your company. However, in Germany trade mark rights pose an obstacle and so you approach your lawyer for advice on your intended solution. Does this course of action relieve you of your legal obligations, meaning that you can avoid prosecution for trade mark infringement? It is not that simple.

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Likelihood of confusion for premium brand – BLACK LABEL

Likelihood of confusion for premium brand – BLACK LABEL

Your trade marks should not, if possible, share similarities with earlier signs. The Court of Justice of the European Union now has set a high benchmark in this regard. They must be strictly observed, otherwise your trade marks may be in great danger and you may inadvertently become an infringer who will be obliged to pay damages.

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Protection of organic brands – ZUM wohl

Protection of organic brands – ZUM wohl

‘Biogena Naturprodukte’, an Austrian manufacturer of dietary supplements, had the slogan ‘ZUM wohl’ for foodstuffs registered as an Austrian organic brand. However, the Court of First Instance of the European Union denied the sign protection as a Union trade mark.

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Revocation of a brand for a product shape – GARDENA

Revocation of a brand for a product shape – GARDENA

A particularly attractive opportunity, economically, in terms of trademark law is the registration of a trade mark for a product shape. This was precisely the basis of protection for the well-known Gardena hose syringes and their particular coloured shape. However, over the course of time Gardena had changed the colours of this trademarked product. Was that damaging?

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