Nestlé can not protect the cat food brand Gourmet
Nestlé has failed before the Federal Administrative Court. The cat food logo is not unique enough.
The pet food business is one of Nestlé's growth markets. Already one in eight Swiss francs of the annual 91.4 billion sales is generated with food for our four-legged companions. The competition from Mars (Whiskas, Sheba, Cesar) is still powerful, but the global multinational from Vevey wants to make up ground on them.
Nestlé has suffered a setback in trademark law. As the Switzerland at the weekend writes in its current issue, the company wanted to register the revised Gourmet logo in the Swiss trademark register. However, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IGE) rejected the claim for protection. A three-year legal dispute ensued, and the Federal Administrative Court has now confirmed the IGE's assessment: the Gourmet logo is not considered unique enough to be protected under trademark law.
Further appeal to federal court possible
Opposite the Switzerland at the weekend a Nestlé spokeswoman said that the decision had been taken note of. However, she did not say whether the company would accept the decision or take it to the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne. However, the decision has no effect on the existing rights and on the use of the brand in Switzerland and Europe.
The Gourmet brand has existed for over 30 years and is now part of Nestlé's Purina pet food brand. Gourmet is sold in over 40 countries. Nestlé still sees a lot of potential in the pet food sector. A year ago, for example, the Group bought a majority stake in the online company Tails.com, which specializes in personalized pet food. Anyone who creates a profile of their dog can put together a diet plan tailored to them (size, weight, breed, etc.).
