Bizarre legal battle over European Championship mascot.
Albert is a popular character associated with the European Championship. However, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is trying to protect the trademark to make money. There have been different versions of Albert for a long time.
During major sports events, the organizing body's marketing machine is always busy. One of the valuable assets for the UEFA in the championship is the trademark that has been safeguarded and is only licensed to companies that have invested heavily in them. This includes names like "UEFA EURO 2024," "EURO 2024," and "Albert."
Albert is the name of a koala-like mascot representing the championship. This has angered Michael Erhardt, who has filed an objection against the UEPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) for the registration of the "Albert" trademark by the UEFA. He also filed a lawsuit against one of the UEFA's partners. Erhardt claims he had registered the word mark "Albert" with the EUIPO a long time ago.
According to Mathis Breuer, a lawyer representing the UEFA, Erhardt's actions are seen as an attempt to steal rights from others. Breuer highlights that Erhardt is a frequent litigant with sports federations, including the DFB, and his claims have always been rejected in court.
In an interview, Erhardt, who is known for self-described creativity, explained that he had registered the trademark 11 years ago. There is no evidence to support this. The first documented use of the name Albert as the mascot of the European Championship was in 2021. Erhardt's claims about the trademark registration in 2023 are also doubtful. The EUIPO database does not show any record of the "Albert" mark by Erhardt until October 2023.
Erhardt is adamant about protecting the brand, but he had never done so before. He also claimed that the similarities between his Albert and the UEFA mascot are not accidental, but a part of a larger conspiracy. However, there is no evidence to support these allegations.
Erhardt is the founder of an online shop "We for Germany," which sells T-shirts with the slogan "For You - For Germany." There is also a fan club for the national team called "We for Germany" featuring a bear called... Albert. He argues that he created Albert in 2010.
However, there are many other Alberts in existence, such as stuffed animals from an insurance company, a mascot of a Swabian Alp association, and an online shop in Austria, among others. Breuer asserts that these Alberts are not in competition with the UEFA's Albert and could co-exist peacefully. The UEPO's ruling is yet to be announced. Erhardt remains undeterred and continues to argue his case.
The unique character of Albert, the koala-like mascot for the European Championship, has stirred up controversy. Michael Erhardt, a self-proclaimed visionary and unconventional character, has lodged a trademark infringement complaint against the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), alleging that they stole his brand name when they named their mascot 'Albert.' While the EUIPO tries to mediate, the case has made waves in the media for several reasons.
Firstly, Erhardt claims to have registered the name Albert as a trademark himself in 2023, long before the UEFA claimed rights over it. He had also previously filed an objection to the UEEPO for the trademark registration by the UEFA. This has put him in the spotlight, but also puts the UEFA in a sticky situation.
Secondly, Erhardt has a history of disputes with other sports federations such as the DFB. Breuer, the lawyer representing the UEFA, has called out Erhardt for his questionable past actions. Erhardt's credibility has been questioned in the past, with his claims being dismissed in courts.
Thirdly, there are multiple entities already using the name 'Albert.' Erhardt believes the UEFA should have checked to ensure his name was not in use before registering it.
Erhardt has taken the issue to court to protect his interests. In a phone call with ntv.de, Erhardt revealed his anger over the situation and is ready to fight to the end. Despite over a decade of existence for his own version of the character Albert, there is little evidence to back up his claim that he was using it before the UEFA's usage.
The EUIPO is still deciding on the case, but the social media and sports community are following this story closely. Erhardt's unique association with Albert and his claim to trademark protection has become a talking point. It is a tale of creativity, persistence, and allegations of theft and overambitious brand protection.
Erhardt's latest legal battle is part of a long series of disputes he's had with various sports organizations. The DFB has been one such organization where his claims have been dismissed repeatedly. We'll have to wait and see if it plays out differently this time for Dr. Erhardt.
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