Cologne - The big "K" and the big "D" with the chimney liner, anybody who was ever known on the Rhine. The logo "KD" stands for "Köln-Düsseldorfer German Rhine AG." But now the KD can no longer use their logo on river cruises. The flags will be sought. The High Court has ruled (ref. 6 U 200/08).
When the KD in the spring of 2008, the luxury ship "Premicon Queen" (five stars) on the Rhine imagined, let Executive Norbert Schmitz KD proudly hoisted flag. But that did not fit the competitor Viking. For Viking River Cruises discovered the lucrative market for a few years ago. And retracts on the routes to Basle or Vienna positive sales.
Previously, as the Viking and the KD were both still on the KD group. But in the 90 years the business was not running so well. 1994 Viking was separated, taken in 2000 by a Swiss company. In 2000, the name and trademarks were regulated. This agreement refers the Viking. Because it was regulated that only Viking can not use the KD-sign. The KD was allowed to use their own logo on the excursions.
Now, the court decided: Viking is right! The need to abandon KD cruises on their logo. But the KD gets right. Because the Court of Appeal also upheld the counterclaim of the KD. And this means that Viking must also seek to remove the flags and the KD-KD-logo. Both parties fail to do, is a fine payable for up to 250,000 €. An appeal against the verdict is not possible.
