“Swiss Military” – between watch industry and the Army

The Federal Administrative Court of Switzerland ruled on a lawsuit between the Swiss Army and the Swiss watch producer Charmex.

The reason for this conflict was the fact that Charmex as an owner of a registered trademark ‘Swiss Military’ for watches filed an opposition against Army’s application for an identical mark for identical goods.

The Patent Office upheld this opposition because of which the Army appealed.

According to the Federal Administrative Court, the Army has the right to register such a trademark. What’s more, only the Army has to have the right to use this mark. The Court considers that there is no evidence suggesting that consumers connect the term ‘Swiss Military’ with the watch producer rather than the Swiss Army.

According to Charmex this decision is quite disappointing for them taking into account all efforts and investments they made in their brand throughout the years of its existence on the market.

Source: WIPR.