BELGIAN HYPERMARKET CHAIN BLOCKS GERMAN COSMETICS TRADEMARK BID

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A GERMAN cosmetics firm has failed to trademark the phrase 'Mineral Spa' to sell soaps, perfumes, hair care and other beauty products, after being challenged by Belgian supermarket chain Spa Monopole. The European Court of Justice backed the retailer's concerns that consumers could be mislead into thinking Mülhens GmbH's products are associated with Spa's shops.

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