Swiss Confederation reaches agreement with Victorinox and may register the "Swiss Military" trademark
Victorinox and the Federal Armaments Office reached an agreement in a trademark dispute on Friday. The Confederation is therefore entitled to use Swiss military trademarks. Victorinox receives a license for the USA and Canada.
Victorinox clears the way for Armasuisse to register the "Swiss Military" trademark for perfumery goods in North America, the parties announced on Friday afternoon. The settlement also confirms that Armasuisse and other federal authorities are entitled to use and license Swiss military trademarks.
In return, Victorinox will receive an exclusive, long-term license from the Swiss Confederation to market Swiss Military perfumery products in the USA and Canada on standard market terms. The settlement creates legal certainty for the future, according to the parties' joint press release.
Dispute over use in North America
The bag knife manufacturer and the Swiss Confederation came to blows over the use of the "Swiss Military" trademark in North America. The manufacturer of the world-famous Swiss Army Knife had registered "Swiss Military" as a trademark in the USA.
This prevented the Confederation from entering into a worldwide license agreement with another Swiss company. It was not disclosed which company was involved.
The Swiss Confederation felt aggrieved by this and sued for one million francs in damages. The trial began on Wednesday at the Commercial Court in Bern.
Better protection for army brands
Armasuisse argued that the Swiss parliament had issued a mandate to better protect brands that have something to do with the army. Five years ago, the Swiss parliament passed a corresponding motion by Thomas Minder, a member of the Council of States from Schaffhausen.
The Confederation also relied on a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court at the beginning of the year. In this ruling, the judges stated in the last instance that the "Swiss Military" trademark may also be used by the Swiss Confederation in the watch category.
Victorinox, on the other hand, argued that the "Swiss Military" brand had always belonged to the company. The Confederation had also recognized this with a contract in 2004.
Both sides expressed their willingness to conduct settlement negotiations before the commercial court, which subsequently took place. (SDA)
Picture: Victorinox
