Overview
- EUIPO concluded the marks were not put to genuine use for an uninterrupted five-year period, citing documentation that showed only internal use rather than outward commercial activity.
- The ruling covers the figurative party logo and the word mark “AfD,” with three EU registrations declared lapsed effective September 18, 2023.
- AfD said it will file complaints against the decisions and expressed confidence the outcomes will be reversed.
- Losing the EU registrations makes it harder for the party to block commercial uses of its logo or abbreviation, including on merchandise.
- Separate deletion proceedings targeting seven AfD marks continue before Germany’s DPMA in Munich, with decisions expected next year, and the party maintains other trademarks and name-rights still protect its identifiers.