The UvA (University of Amsterdam) applies for protection in 2016 for the word mark AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY. The trademark is not only refused by the Benelux authorities for educational services, but also for all kinds of merchandise items (such as coffee mugs, sweaters, etc.). These articles are in fact available at the UvA. The UvA offers these articles for sale in a souvenir shop or as giving them away at times. The Court partly disagrees with this refusal. In an earlier judgment on Neuschwanstein Castle, the European Court of Appeal had to rule about trademark use for souvenirs. By trademarking souvenirs, the product doesn’t suddenly become descriptive. Consequence: the trademark is not valid for educational services, but for merchandise items it is. For organizations active in merchandising (such as city marketing organizations) this ruling is a gift from heaven. (source image: Moon)
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