Legal dispute over abbreviation SRF settled

Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen and the Swiss Retail Federation have settled their dispute "amicably with a mutually acceptable settlement so that they can devote all their energies to their core tasks again", according to the short press release from both parties. The parties have agreed not to disclose the content of the settlement. Neither Swiss Radio and Television nor the Swiss Retail Federation wanted to answer the question of whether both sides will continue to use the abbreviation SRF. Both referred to the confidentiality agreement. However, while the SRF logo is emblazoned on the press release from Swiss Radio and Television, the abbreviation is missing entirely from the latest press release from the Swiss Retail Federation. This suggests that Swiss Radio and Television may have prevailed in the name dispute.

Swiss television sued

The dispute over the three letters SRF arose after Swiss radio and television were merged under one roof at the beginning of 2011. The new name was Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen SRF. Around a year later, the various television and radio stations were also launched under the SRF brand. This name change was not at all to the liking of the Swiss Retail Federation, which had already been using the abbreviation SRF since 2000. The retail association felt that its trademark rights had been infringed and filed a lawsuit.

The main hearing was opened before the Commercial Court in Berne in mid-February (Werbewoche.ch reported). The plaintiff's lawyer emphasized in court that those responsible at Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen could have easily found out that the abbreviation SRF was used by the retailers' association.

"Only used sporadically"

The Swiss Retail Federation had only used the abbreviation SRF informally and sporadically before the legal dispute, however, emphasized the lawyer for Swiss Radio and Television. This does not constitute a right to protection of the name. The fact that the abbreviation has been used more frequently since the outbreak of the legal dispute does not change the matter. Shortly after the proceedings began, the lawyers signaled their willingness to negotiate an out-of-court solution. The two parties then entered into settlement negotiations. An amicable settlement was negotiated behind closed doors - with success, as has now been announced. The court hearing will therefore not continue.

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 12 billion Swiss francs and employ 40,000 people. (SDA)