Popular online game - Verdict in trademark dispute over word puzzle "Wordle" postponed
In a dispute over the trademark rights for the popular online game "Wordle," the Hamburg Regional Court is expected to render a judgment on July 18. Originally, the decision was supposed to be announced on a Thursday, but the chamber only issued a so-called suspension order without providing reasons. In this dispute, the "New York Times Company" is suing the Hamburg puzzle provider Stefan Heine. The US newspaper accuses Heine of securing the German trademark rights for "Wordle" only to keep US competition off the German market.
"New York Times" loses first court hearing
Heine and the US publisher had secured the trademark rights on the same day, February 1, 2022. The "New York Times" sees this as an unlawful "bad faith trademark application." Heine denies the allegation. The Landgericht Düsseldorf had already rejected an application by the US publisher for a preliminary injunction on March 1, 2023 (Az.: 2a O 168/22).
From Sudokus to Wordle
The US newspaper had bought all rights to the word puzzle from its inventor Josh Wardle for $1.2 million. "Wordle" has since become a global success and is played daily by millions of people. Heine, who is referred to as the "puzzle king," has been producing puzzles for magazines and other media for 29 years. Heine, who is 55 years old and hails from Hamburg, became known primarily through "Sudokus," which he brought to Germany in 2005. Heine initiated the German Sudoku Championship as well.
The trademark dispute between the "New York Times Company" and Stefan Heine over the popular game "Wordle" has gained international attention, with discussions taking place not just in the USA but also on various media platforms worldwide.
Despite the upcoming judgment by the Hamburg Regional Court on July 18, the tension between the two parties continues to escalate, with Stefan Heine's trademark registration in Germany being viewed as an obstacle for US competition on the German internet market by the "New York Times".
The trademark dispute between the "New York Times" and Stefan Heine is a testament to the complexities of intellectual property law, particularly in the digital age, where trademark disputes can have significant impact on global businesses and consumers alike.
Following the initial rejection of the US publisher's application for a preliminary injunction by the Landgericht Düsseldorf (Az.: 2a O 168/22) on March 1, 2023, both parties continue to engage in legal processes to protect their rights, underscoring the importance of trademark laws in the digital media landscape.
