After launching the much bespoken “Fucking Hell” beer in 2010, German drinks manufacturer Hans-Jörg Schaller decided to file an application for the name FUCKING RED for wine. Red Bull opposed this application, but lost in both first- and second instance. The court decided that the trademarks are not sufficiently similar to cause any confusion. Important in this procedure was the fact that the goods, energy drinks and wine, were also not similar. There was therefore no infringement. A wise lesson for trademark owners: Check in advance whether or not a case is viable before taking any definitive legal steps.
