BERLIN (AP) — A European court has upheld the Berlin Zoo’s copyright claim against a British firm that had sought to market products under the name “Knut – Der Eisbaer” — German for “Knut – The Polar Bear.”
The General Court of the European Union in Luxembourg ruled Monday that British firm Knut IP Management Ltd.’s product-line name too closely resembled the Berlin Zoo’s earlier trademarked brand “Knud,” and could confuse consumers looking to purchase merchandise related to the zoo’s most famous animal.
Knut was hand-raised after his mother rejected him. He rose to stardom in 2007 as a cuddly cub, appearing on magazine covers, in a film and on mountains of merchandise.
He died in 2011 after suffering from encephalitis.
