Controversy over protection of Deutsche Post brand name

Deutsche Post, the German national postal service operator, has obtained protection for the trade mark ‘Post’ from the German patent office. Rival companies which continue to use the name ‘Post’ may face a cease and desist letter.

The company has already sent its first cease and desist letters, to EP Europost, which belongs to the Dutch group TPG, and to Berlin-based Pin AG. However, the patent office has decided that the use of the brand name ‘TPG Post Deutschland’ by EP Europost is acceptable on the grounds that there is no danger of its being confused with the name ‘Post’. Meanwhile, the parcel service sector association BIEK has demanded that the patent office delete ‘Post’ as a brand name, arguing that it has become a general term.