RBB: Schawinski rejects demands and asks for talks
Radio 1 rejected the demands of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) in a communiqué on Tuesday. Station founder Roger Schawinski will meet the director of the German media company for talks. Should a lawsuit nevertheless be filed, he is relaxed about it, said the media man.
Radio 1 rejected the demands of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) to change its name and claim in a press release on Tuesday. Station founder Roger Schawinski will also send a direct reply to the German public media company on Tuesday. However, he will also be in personal contact with the Berliners: To discuss the matter, the media man has asked for a meeting with RBB director Dagmar Reim, as he confirmed to Werbewoche. Reim has agreed to the meeting, which is due to take place at the end of May. Schawinski would welcome it if the differences could be resolved in this way before it goes to court. RBB, under whose umbrella there is a Radio eins with the claim "Only for adults", is demanding that the Zurich station change its name and slogan or alternatively stop broadcasting via web radio. The German media company had initially given Zurich's Radio 1 until April 18 and then extended the deadline until Tuesday, April 29.
Radio 1 explained in a press release on Tuesday that RBB's demand in no way corresponds to German case law. As an example, the broadcaster refers to the lawsuit filed by a German hotel chain. This wanted to prohibit a hotel of the same name in Copenhagen from selling its offers in Germany via the Internet. However, according to Radio 1, the action was rejected by the Federal Court of Justice, among other things because there was no "sufficient economically relevant domestic connection". As further evidence, Radio 1 cites a statement by Angela Merkel, who made the following somewhat unfortunate linguistic remark in her latest video blog: "Because downloading computers is something that national borders cannot protect."
In the dispute between RBB and Radio 1, the situation is even clearer. As Schawinski had already emphasized, Radio 1 does not seek listeners or advertising in Germany. Therefore, neither the name nor the claim is to be changed. Roger Schawinski commented in the communiqué: "It is not a creative term that can be protected, but a term that is frequently used in everyday life." For all these reasons, the company is calmly awaiting a complaint from RBB.
RBB spokesman Ralph Kotsch told Werbewoche that his company intends to go to court if Radio 1 does not comply with the demands. The necessary steps would be taken at the beginning of next week if necessary. Schawinski is of the opinion that the planned talks with Dagmar Reim could still be helpful: "If we reach an agreement, the court proceedings can still be stopped." If it comes to a lawsuit, he is relaxed about it. He will definitely not give in.
Radio 1 explained in a press release on Tuesday that RBB's demand in no way corresponds to German case law. As an example, the broadcaster refers to the lawsuit filed by a German hotel chain. This wanted to prohibit a hotel of the same name in Copenhagen from selling its offers in Germany via the Internet. However, according to Radio 1, the action was rejected by the Federal Court of Justice, among other things because there was no "sufficient economically relevant domestic connection". As further evidence, Radio 1 cites a statement by Angela Merkel, who made the following somewhat unfortunate linguistic remark in her latest video blog: "Because downloading computers is something that national borders cannot protect."
In the dispute between RBB and Radio 1, the situation is even clearer. As Schawinski had already emphasized, Radio 1 does not seek listeners or advertising in Germany. Therefore, neither the name nor the claim is to be changed. Roger Schawinski commented in the communiqué: "It is not a creative term that can be protected, but a term that is frequently used in everyday life." For all these reasons, the company is calmly awaiting a complaint from RBB.
RBB spokesman Ralph Kotsch told Werbewoche that his company intends to go to court if Radio 1 does not comply with the demands. The necessary steps would be taken at the beginning of next week if necessary. Schawinski is of the opinion that the planned talks with Dagmar Reim could still be helpful: "If we reach an agreement, the court proceedings can still be stopped." If it comes to a lawsuit, he is relaxed about it. He will definitely not give in.
