[Foundation-l] Wikipedia trademark registration in Germany

Elisabeth Bauer wrote:

> Michael Snow wrote:
>
>>> 6) AOB
>>>
>>> Jimbo will contact a German lawyer regarding the registration of the
>>> Wikimedia trademark in Germany, which someone else is currently
>>> attempting to register.
>>>
>> This is the first I've heard about this attempt. If it's not too much=20
>> trouble, I would be interested to get some more information about it=20
>> (off-list is fine). I might also be able to help with the=20
>> communications if necessary, since I speak German, though I have no=20
>> particular training in German law.
>
> First, it's about Wikipedia, not Wikimedia.
> Date of application is 08.03.2004, so we missed already the 3 month=20
> period where we can object.
>
> Raw data in German is attached, short abstract:
> application is filed as a word mark by Joerg Nagel, Legan promotion=20
> (http://www.legan.de), for three classes:
> 22, 25, 28: (long list abbreviated: f.e. textiles, toys, games, tents,=20
> sports wear, christmas decorations)
>
> greetings,
> elian
>
> UG01 - Kurzer =DCberblick Markentext: WIKIPEDIA Markenform: Wortmarke=20
> Inhaber: Nagel, J=F6rg, Reutlingen Leitklasse: 22 Klassen: 22; 25; 28=20
> Letzter Verfahrensstand: Empfangsbescheinigung mit=20
> Veroeffentl.d.Anmeldung
>
> UG10 - Allgemeine Angaben Markentext: WIKIPEDIA Markenform: Wortmarke=20
> Letzter Verfahrensstand: Empfangsbescheinigung mit=20
> Veroeffentl.d.Anmeldung
>
> UG15 - Inhaber, Vertreter Name und Wohnort/Sitz des Anmelders/Inhabers=20
> der Marke: Nagel, J=F6rg, Reutlingen Zustellungsanschrift: Legan=20
> promotion GmbH & Co. KG Auchtertstr.4 72770 Reutlingen=20
> http://www.legan.de/legan_d.html
>
> UG20 - Waren/Dienstleistungen (gegenw=E4rtiger Stand) Leitklasse: 22=20
> Klassen: 22; 25; 28 Erfassung / Umklassifizierung gem=E4=DF Nizzaer=20
> Klassifikation (NCL 8) Datum der Erfassung / Umklassifizierung:=20
> 18.03.2004
>
> UG30 - Verfahren (Chronologie) Anmeldetag: 08.03.2004
>
>     * Klasse 22: Seile, Bindfaden, Netze, Zelte, Planen, Segel, S=E4cke=
=20
> (soweit sie nicht in anderen Klassen enthalten sind);=20
> Polsterf=FCllstoffe (au=DFer aus Kautschuk oder Kunststoffen); rohe=20
> Gespinstfasern
>     * Klasse 25: Bekleidungsst=FCcke, Schuhwaren, Kopfbedeckungen
>     * Klasse 28: Spiele, Spielzeug; Turn- und Sportartikel, soweit sie=20
> nicht in anderen Klassen enthalten sind; Christbaumschmuck.=20

Vielen Dank f=FCr die Information, elian.

Well, nothing in the classes of goods covered by this trademark=20
application should keep us from being able to register our own=20
trademark. So this seems to be more a minor nuisance, rather than a=20
fraudulent registration we would *need* to get overturned promptly. I'm=20
assuming that German trademark practices aren't that different from the=20
US, since international agreements in the field mean that at least some=20
basic principles should be consistent.

It still would have been nice to make a timely objection, but at least=20
this J=F6rg Nagel isn't blatantly infringing our trademark. It does make=20
it difficult if we want to distribute Wikipedia-related merchandise in=20
Germany, though. I wonder if that's what he had in mind, and what he=20
intends to do with the trademark. Make a profit by selling it to us, or=20
by forcing us to use his firm's services for merchandising? I'd be a=20
little surprised if he intends to start a Wikipedia brand of clothing on=20
his own. Was this application triggered by some of our German publicity,=20
I wonder? Just some random thoughts.

--Michael Snow