• Mehr als 3 Millionen Wörter Inhalt
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

No products in the cart.

  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

Single letters as trademarks

24. September 2024
in Other
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
0
digital marketing 3269651 1280
Key Facts
  • Individual letters can be registered as trademarks if they have sufficient distinctive character and are not descriptive.
  • In 2000, the Federal Court of Justice confirmed the trademarkability of individual letters under German trademark law.
  • In 2010, the ECJ ruled that individual letters are not unprotectable, depending on the perception of the relevant public.
  • In 2022, the European Court of First Instance ruled that minor differences in design can rule out a likelihood of confusion.
  • Word marks have no graphic design, whereas word/figurative marks combine textual and graphic elements.
  • The DPMA administers national trademarks, while the EUIPO grants EU-wide protection for EU trademarks.
  • The choice between national and EU trademarks depends on the area of application, budget and distinctiveness.

Individual letters as trademarks – protection with restrictions

Content Hide
1. Eligibility for registration of single letters
2. Limited scope of protection
3. Differences between word marks and word/figurative marks
4. DPMA vs. EUIPO: Differences in trademark registration
5. Single-image marks at the DPMA and EUIPO
6. Conclusion for practice
6.1. Author: Marian Härtel

In principle, individual letters can be registered and protected as trademarks. However, the scope of protection of such “one-letter marks” is often limited in practice. Here is a comprehensive overview of the current legal situation and the differences between various types of trademarks and the responsible offices:

Eligibility for registration of single letters

Individual letters can be registered as trademarks under both German and European trademark law. The prerequisite is that they have sufficient distinctive character and are not purely descriptive. The Federal Court of Justice clarified as early as 2000 that individual letters are generally eligible as trademarks.

Limited scope of protection

In practice, however, the scope of protection of one-letter trademarks is often interpreted very narrowly:

  • Courts and trademark offices examine the specific graphic design very closely when assessing the likelihood of confusion. Even if two marks use the same letter, a likelihood of confusion can be denied if the overall visual appearance is different.
  • In 2010, the ECJ ruled that individual letters are not per se unprotectable. However, it must be examined in each individual case how the relevant public perceives the mark (judgment of 09.09.2010, C-265/09 P – α).
  • In 2022, the European Court of First Instance emphasized in a case concerning two “K” marks that even slight differences in the design of individual letters can be sufficient to rule out a likelihood of confusion (judgment of 09.11.2022, T-610/21).

Differences between word marks and word/figurative marks

Word marks consist exclusively of words, letters, numbers or other characters without any graphic design. The protection of a word mark generally covers all customary forms of reproduction, including different fonts and capitalization.

Word/figurative marks, on the other hand, combine textual elements with graphic design elements. They offer the advantage that they are often registrable even if a pure word mark would be rejected, for example in the case of descriptive terms or terms that need to be kept free. However, their scope of protection is often limited to the specific graphic design.

DPMA vs. EUIPO: Differences in trademark registration

The **German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)** is responsible for registering national German trade marks, while the **European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)** administers EU trade marks with EU-wide protection.

Application procedure:
– DPMA: The trademark is registered and published after examination of the absolute grounds for refusal. The objection period only begins after publication.
– EUIPO: The EU trademark will only be registered after the opposition period has expired if no opposition has been filed.

Costs:
– DPMA: 300 euros (290 euros for electronic filing) for up to three classes, each additional class 100 euros.
– EUIPO: 850 euros for one class for online filing, 50 euros for the second class, from the third class 150 euros per class.

Scope of protection:
– DPMA: Protection only in Germany.
– EUIPO: Uniform protection in all EU member states.

Single-image marks at the DPMA and EUIPO

There are no significant differences in the application procedure between the DPMA and the EUIPO for single-image marks, i.e. purely figurative marks without word elements. Both offices examine single-image marks for absolute grounds for refusal and distinctiveness. The requirements for graphic representability and the assessment of protectability are largely identical.

As with other trademark forms, the main difference lies in the territorial scope of protection and the associated costs and procedures. A single-image mark applied for at the DPMA enjoys protection in Germany, while a single-image mark applied for at the EUIPO is protected throughout the EU.

Conclusion for practice

The choice between a national trademark and a European Union trademark as well as between different trademark forms depends on various factors, such as the planned area of use, the budget and the distinctive character of the sign. In the case of single letters and single-picture marks, particular attention must be paid to a characteristic design in order to increase the scope of protection.

Overall, it can be seen that trademark offices and courts examine one-letter trademarks and single-image trademarks very closely and strive for a fair balance between trademark protection and the need to keep them free. Careful planning and professional advice can help to achieve optimum protection for your own trademark, regardless of whether the application is filed with the DPMA or EUIPO.

 

Marian Härtel
Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.

Tags: BeratungBrandsEuFederal courtGermanyIntellectual propertyPatentTrademarks

Weitere spannende Blogposts

Hamburg Higher Regional Court slaps fictitious costs “around the ears” of debt collection industry

Hamburg Higher Regional Court slaps fictitious costs “around the ears” of debt collection industry
19. June 2023

Artificial collection costs: vzbv successfully sues EOS Investment GmbH EOS Investment GmbH, a debt collection company that collects outstanding debts...

Read moreDetails

Data protection in the digital age: Landmark ruling by Cologne Regional Court on the use of Google Analytics

Data protection in the digital age: Landmark ruling by Cologne Regional Court on the use of Google Analytics
11. May 2023

Introduction: An expected verdict and its effects The Cologne Regional Court has sent a signal with a ruling that was...

Read moreDetails

BGH on damages due to US lawsuit in German jurisdiction

No more free tissues at the pharmacy?
17. October 2019

The Federal Court of Justice has ruled that a contractual partner may be entitled to compensation for the costs incurred...

Read moreDetails

Esport team and streamer? Legal certainty through flat rate!

Esport team and streamer? Legal certainty through flat rate!
4. December 2019

For several years I have been supersing esport teams, streamers, influencers as well as sponsors and agencies in the digital...

Read moreDetails

AI and contract generators for GTC – An opportunity for standard contracts or a risk for your company?

AI and contract generators for GTC – An opportunity for standard contracts or a risk for your company?
9. May 2023

AI and contract generators - the future of T&C creation? In today's digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) and automated processes...

Read moreDetails

LG Düsseldorf and SEPA

Fees on SEPA transfers for old contracts inadmissible
26. June 2024

In a recent ruling, the Düsseldorf Regional Court decided that even the impression that a company rejects foreign SEPA accounts...

Read moreDetails

“Am I fuckable?” – Women streamers should not put up with everything!

“Am I fuckable?” – Women streamers should not put up with everything!
10. February 2023

I represent a lot of streamers/influencers or the agencies and the more YouTube/Twitch or other platforms gain in importance compared...

Read moreDetails

BGH strengthens the rights of players in foreign online sports betting

BGH strengthens the rights of players in foreign online sports betting
17. May 2024

BGH strengthens the rights of players in foreign online sports betting In a recent decision, the Federal Court of Justice...

Read moreDetails

BGH on misleading Google ads

No more free tissues at the pharmacy?
25. July 2019

The I.E. Civil Senate of the Federal Court of Justice, which is responsible for trademark law, among other things, has...

Read moreDetails
Contractual regulations for no-code/low-code software development
Other

Contractual regulations for no-code/low-code software development

21. May 2025

No-code and low-code platforms enable rapid software development without extensive manual programming. Applications are increasingly being developed on the basis...

Read moreDetails
Erotic content on OnlyFans: Copyright and personality rights protection for creators

Erotic content on OnlyFans: Copyright and personality rights protection for creators

20. May 2025
Goodbye hustle culture? Startup life between 24/7 grind and work-life balance

Goodbye hustle culture? Startup life between 24/7 grind and work-life balance

19. May 2025
Startup buzzwords 2025: Bullshit bingo in marketing German Introduction: Bullshit bingo in marketing German

Startup buzzwords 2025: Bullshit bingo in marketing German Introduction: Bullshit bingo in marketing German

18. May 2025
From the metaverse boom to AI euphoria – a tech lawyer in the hype cycle

From the metaverse boom to AI euphoria – a tech lawyer in the hype cycle

17. May 2025

Podcastfolge

da884f9e2769f2f96d6b74255be62c27

The role of the IT lawyer

5. September 2024

In this exciting podcast episode, we delve into the fascinating world of IT start-ups and find out why an experienced...

Read moreDetails
86fe194b0c4a43e7aef2a4773b88c2c4

On the dark side? A lawyer in the field of tension of innovative start-ups

26. September 2024
8ffe8f2a4228de20d20238899b3d922e

Web3, blockchain and law – a critical review

26. September 2024
247f58c28882e230e982fa3a32d34dea

Digital sovereignty: Europe’s path to a self-determined digital future

8. December 2024
Looking to the future: How technology is changing the law

Looking to the future: How technology is changing the law

18. February 2025

Video

My transparent billing

My transparent billing

10. February 2025

In this video, I talk a bit about transparent billing and how I communicate what it costs to work with...

Read moreDetails
Fascination between law and technology

Fascination between law and technology

10. February 2025
My two biggest challenges are?

My two biggest challenges are?

10. February 2025
What really makes me happy

What really makes me happy

10. February 2025
What I love about my job!

What I love about my job!

10. February 2025
  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Contact
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung