Icon: enlarge
While walking, Werner Lustig discovered a field cross and asked himself: Who actually has the rights to INRI?
Photo: AlexF76 / imago images / Panthermedia
Werner Lustig is actually a real estate investor from Aichach.
For 25 years he worked in an Augsburg company, then he went into business for himself.
Years ago, while walking in his Bavarian homeland, he claims to have discovered a field cross and asked himself: Who actually has the rights to INRI, the inscription on the cross that mocks Jesus Christ as the "King of the Jews"?
The answer was quickly found: nobody.
Lustig sought legal advice and managed to secure the EU-wide rights to "INRI" in four so-called Nice classes: textiles, beverages, leather goods and cosmetics.
He was less interested in products such as bags or make-up, but in the sale of clothing and drinks.
Icon: enlarge
Entrepreneur Lustig: "Maybe one or the other will rediscover their love for religion."
Photo: Katharina Brucklachner
The 58-year-old had T-shirts produced on the back of which the face of a long-haired, bearded man can be seen, including the acronym INRI - for "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum", "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews".
The portrait is strongly reminiscent of the so-called Turin shroud - the bearded man has closed his eyes, he does not notice anything about his marketing.
SPIEGEL
: Mr. Lustig, on the neck of your INRI T-shirts it says "It's done".
According to the Bible, these were the last words of Jesus on the cross.
Are you a heretic?
Funny:
No, on the contrary, after all, I was an altar boy for years and passed my faith on to my children.
I hope a t-shirt like this will make you think.
The recognition effect of the motifs is enormous - one or the other may even rediscover their love for religion.
SPIEGEL
: What are the legal consequences of having EU trademark law?
Should the Church now fear that you will be demanding royalties?
Funny
: I just want to bring my only products on the market.
If there is any overlap, we will come to an amicable agreement.
We'll definitely find a gentlemen's agreement there.
"I always used the cross inscription on old movies like Ben Hur with Charlton Heston."
SPIEGEL
: Have church representatives already contacted you?
Funny
: No, but I've already spoken to two clergy in my region and asked for their opinion.
They were initially enthusiastic about the idea with INRI.
In the meantime, one of the two had sought a conversation and expressed concerns, but these could be resolved.
SPIEGEL
: Can you explain why the Catholic Church had not secured the trademark rights long ago?
Funny
: I asked myself this question too.
I always used the cross inscription on old movies like "Ben Hur" with Charlton Heston.
SPIEGEL
: You were also enthusiastic about the SPQR logo in your youth: The acronym for "Senatus Populusque Romanus" ("Senate and People of Rome") can still be found in the city's coat of arms, but also on rubbish bins and manhole covers in Rome.
Lustig
: Yes, I also had the EU trademark rights secured for SPQR - but that was a lot more difficult than with INRI.
Representatives of a retail chain whose name contains similar letters have raised objections for the Benelux countries and Eastern Europe.
Allegedly because the abbreviations would appear the same at first glance.
SPIEGEL
: With success?
Funny
: No, I got right in the end.
"All products that I bring out under this label have to be decent and in no way should they desecrate the name of Jesus."
SPIEGEL
: You emphasize that your T-shirts are made in Bangladesh, but in factories with reasonable working conditions.
They have also announced that they will donate part of the profits from the T-shirt sale.
To whom?
Funny
: I'm considering setting up a foundation that looks after children and environmental protection.
That seems only logical to me, because if we continue to destroy our environment, our descendants have no future.
SPIEGEL
: You have also secured the drinks user class for INRI.
Will there be "Holy Spirit" in bottles soon?
Funny
: All the products that I bring out under this label have to be decent and must not desecrate the name of Jesus under any circumstances.
Something could happen soon in the drinks sector - but I can promise you that we will not sell a "Holy Spirit".
Icon: The mirror