IP News
Dispute regarding the "Swiss military" brand– Swiss army and Victorinox settle trademark dispute – Christian Hertz-Eichenrode`s interview with LTO
The Cantonal Court of Bern recently dealt with an unusual trademark dispute: the Swiss army sued the manufacturer of the famous Swiss army knife, Victorinox, on the grounds of the latter’s registration and use of the "Swiss Military" brand in the United States.
Christian Hertz-Eichenrode, trademark law expert at the Hamburg FPS office, explained the background of the dispute for Legal Tribune Online (LTO). "Designations of origin, such as Switzerland, Swiss-made, and similar things, as well as graphical symbols, such as the Swiss cross or the image of the Matterhorn, may now only be used under strict criteria," indicated Hertz-Eichenrode to LTO.