Swiss Retail Federation sues television
The Swiss Retail Federation and Swiss Radio and Television have been arguing for some time about the use of the SRF name. Now the retailers want to force a solution through the courts.
"A complaint has been filed," wrote Andrea Wenger, spokesperson for Swiss Radio and Television, on Monday at the request of the news agency SDA. She confirmed corresponding information from the Blick newspaper. Swiss television changed its name at the end of 2012 - since then it has no longer been called SF, but SRF. This name change was not at all to the liking of the Swiss Retail Federation. It has also abbreviated its name to the three letters SRF since 2000.
The Swiss Retail Federation - formerly known as the Association of Department Stores (VSWK) - has represented the interests of medium-sized and large companies in the Swiss retail trade since 1937. Its members generate an annual turnover of around CHF 12 billion and employ 40,000 people.
No out-of-court solution
At the request of SDA, the association confirmed that it had initiated legal proceedings. "Attempts to resolve the conflict out of court have failed," wrote deputy managing director Dagmar Jenni.
According to Jenni, the origins of the dispute date back to December 2012, when Bruno Frick was still Chairman. The lawsuit is pending before the Commercial Court of Bern. The first hearing is scheduled for February 11, 2015. In order to protect their interests, the retailers do not wish to comment further on the ongoing proceedings.
Written out or as an abbreviation
Television is defending itself against the accusations of brand clauses. "The Swiss Retail Federation appears under its full name and not under the abbreviation SRF, as the stationery shows," wrote spokeswoman Wenger. In addition, the Swiss Retail Federation brand is protected in full and not as an abbreviation. "Therefore, with the best will in the world, we cannot recognize any rights to our abbreviation". Wenger did not provide any further details "due to the ongoing proceedings".
The retail association was initially unavailable for comment on Monday morning. The indictment was also not available for the time being. According to Blick, both parties are due to appear before the Bern Commercial Court on February 11. (SDA)
