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A sad day for LEGO® in Germany
SUMMERLAND, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2005--
Best-Lock Construction Toys announces a decision of the German Patent and
Trademark Office canceling a 2x4 stud block design trademark registration in the
name of an affiliate of the LEGO® Group of companies.
The decision follows the announcement that Best-Lock Europe won its case to
market its construction building block sets in Germany when a Bundesgerichtshof
(Supreme Court) ruling reversed a 40-year monopoly for LEGO.
The German Patent and Trademark Offices’ recent decision effectively declares
invalid LEGO registration for a three-dimensional depiction of an interlocking
toy block manufactured by companies such as Best-Lock.
‘We began this initiative six years ago to have a fair and competitive
opportunity in Germany.
Needless to say, we are thrilled with the outcome,’ says Torsten Geller,
Best-Lock’s CEO.
‘The aptly-called ‘LEGO Doctrine’ essentially prevented Best-Lock and the rest
of the toy industry from selling related products in Germany, which is second
only to the United States in terms of building block sales at approximately $250
million U.S. dollars.’ The legal actions were solely the undertaking of
Best-Lock.
Tribunals of various European countries whose laws are harmonized under the EU
Directive on Trademarks have likewise cancelled LEGO three-dimensional block
design trademarks or not allowed them to proceed with registration.
‘The ruling does not only favour Best-Lock, but opens up the European market,’
says Stephen Minsk, Best-Lock’s vice president sales and marketing.
‘This levels the playing field and gives all the players fair opportunity,
which, of course, ultimately benefits the consumer.’
Geller points out, ‘The trademark issue is even more intriguing as the original
building block design was patented in 1947 by Harry Fisher Page, a child
psychologist in Britain (who was never related to LEGO at any time).’
Best-Lock is a privately owned company founded in 1997, which sells its
products in 36 countries.
The company has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
SOURCE: InvestValley.com
© CompanynewsGroup
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