Victorinox in court over exclusive use of ‘Swiss military’ in the US

The brand known for its red Swiss army knives has crossed swords with the Federal Office for Defence Procurement (Armasuisse) over the registration of the trade name "Swiss Military" in the United States.  At a hearing at the Commercial Court of the Canton of Bern on Thursday, Armasuisse asked Victorinox to renounce its ‘Swiss Military’ trademark in the US that had been registered several years ago. Armasuisse also demanded compensation of CHF1 million ($1 million) but assured the court that it did not seek to damage the brand that it considered a “valued and long-standing partner".  Victorinox has been a government supplier since 1891. It produces the famous Swiss army knife and has popularised them internationally. However, a 2013 law on protection of state symbols requires the government to provide better protection for military trademarks. In January, Armasuisse won a case in the Federal Administrative Court against small watchmaking firm Montres Charmex that was selling ...