The word “reine” is distinctive and can therefore be monopolised in relation to wine products, particularly in the canton of Valais where the traditional Hérens cow fights take place, with the victorious cow being referred to as the “reine”. The Federal Court deduced that there was a direct and indirect likelihood of confusion between the earlier trademarks “Blanc des Reines”, “Vin des Reines”, “Cuvée des Reines” and “Réserve de l’Eleveur de Reines” on the one hand, and the word trademark “la Réserve des Reines” for wines on the other, thereby confirming the decision of the Valais Cantonal Court, which had annulled the latter trademark. All that remains now is to toast to the “reine des reines”!
Isabelle Bruder
https://www.bger.ch/ext/eurospider/live/fr/php/aza/http/index.php?highlight_docid=aza://05-06-2023-4A_161-2022&lang=fr&zoom=&type=show_document
