The German Federal Supreme Court forbids independent garages from using the figurative trademark “VW”

In a decision of April 14th 2011, the Federal Supreme Court came to the conclusion that the use of the figurative mark “VW” by an independent garage is infringing that trademark. The use of that figurative mark was not necessary to announce the subject matter of the services provided by that garage. Rather, the use of the word mark only or the denomination “Volkswagen” would have been sufficient for that – allowed – purpose.