IP News
“At cross purposes” Christian Hertz-Eichenrode in an interview with Die Welt
Daily newspaper Die Welt spoke with trademark expert Christian Hertz-Eichenrode from FPS's Hamburg office about a conflict of trademark rights for the famous Swiss Army knife and the Swiss cross logo it bears. Two companies had filed for trademarks on nearly identical product areas and merchandise segments at almost the same time. Mr. Hertz-Eichenrode, who assumes the ruling will also have an effect on European legislation, noted that the time of registration would be decisive under both Swiss and European trademark laws. “This could mean that Swissgear and the Chinese have an advantage in many product areas, because their application was filed six days before the final application by Wenger/Victorinox,” said Mr. Hertz-Eichenrode in an interview with Die Welt.