Germany pushes EU to shield minority languages from trademark misuse
Dresden/Potsdam (dpa) – Saxony and Brandenburg are joining a Bundesrat initiative led by Schleswig-Holstein to strengthen the protection of minority languages under EU trademark law. The Saxon cabinet approved a corresponding resolution on Tuesday, as announced by the Ministry of Culture in Dresden. Brandenburg reportedly made its decision last week.
Protection Against Trademark Registration of Names and Terms
The initiative aims to bolster languages protected by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, ensuring they receive the same legal status as the EU's official languages in trademark law.
Current protections are insufficient, particularly when it comes to registering place names or idiomatic expressions as trademarks. "If we have to rename our Witaj daycare centers and schools because Witaj suddenly can only be used for a brand of whiskey—then we have a problem," said Manja Schüle (SPD), Brandenburg's Minister of Culture.
Klepsch: Proposal Serves Saxony's and Minorities' Interests
"Amending EU trademark law will help protect, support, and ensure equal treatment for national minorities and their languages," said Saxony's Minister of Culture, Barbara Klepsch (CDU). Supporting Schleswig-Holstein's proposal aligns with the interests of the Free State and its resident minorities, including the Sorbian people and the Sinti and Roma communities.
Schüle added that minorities rightly deserve special protection, especially from commercialization and exploitation. "Everyday terms from these languages must remain freely usable and not be restricted by economic interests."
The initiative is set to be introduced at the Bundesrat session on May 8.
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