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OLG Cologne and the dispute over the 'Bear'

In the so called 'dispute over the bear' Lint has obtained full satisfaction before the Supreme Regional Court (reference number 6 U 230/12). Lint and Haribo have disagreed over the copyright over the trademark ' Goldbaeren'.

Haribo brought an action against the Swiss Chocolatier: the 'Lindt Teddy', a chocolate bear in gold foil with red tie at neck, caused damage with his tridimensional product design on the trademark 'Goldbaeren'. Lindt, however, argued that the Lindt Teddy is a logical progress in their product line. The presentation of the product follows the product line 'Goldhasen'.

The Supreme Regional Court takes the view that the meaning of the chocolate bear does not contrast with the word mark  'Goldbaeren' and that Haribo's trade mark has not been infringed. But this is just a partial victory. Most probably it is the Federal Supreme Court that is to rule at final instance on the dispute. The Supreme Regional Court had to permit the appeal to the Federal Supreme Court. A special focus will be placed on the question whether there is a crossover between a word mark and a three-dimensional design or not.