Clothed dog (symbolic image): the manufacturer of animal clothing »The Dog Face« needs a different name
Photo: PATRICK DOYLE/ REUTERS
It was an unusual trademark infringement that the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court dealt with: In summary proceedings, the judges prohibited a manufacturer of animal clothing from selling its products under the name »The Dog Face«.
The reason is the deliberate proximity to the well-known outdoor clothing brand "The North Face", the judiciary reported.
The decision is no longer contestable.
The judges found that the animal clothing infringed on The North Face's trademark rights.
It is not important that the brand name and the brand symbols used are only similar to the originals.
It is enough that customers could assume that "The North Face" has expanded its range to include dog clothing "to enable dog owners who practice sports to practice their outdoor sports in a partner look with the animal".
ani/dpa
