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KARLSRUHE, Germany (Thomson Financial) - A German court has ruled that Deutsche Post World Net AG. cannot stop its competitors from using the word 'Post' in their names.
The German Federal Court of Justice said the term 'Post' merely describes the type of service offered, ruling in favour of Deutsche Post rivals City Post KG. and Die Neue Post.
The court bases its decision on regulation that says that a company cannot prohibit others from using a name similar to its own if the term describes the offered goods or services.
On Oct. 23 the court will decide whether Deutsche Post will lose rights to the brand name 'Post' because it is a descriptive term. maria.sheahan@thomsonreuters.com dpa/mas/slj/mas/sal COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.