In Germany, where Nazi symbols and propaganda are strictly prohibited by law, far-right groups and individuals have found ways to circumvent restrictions by using coded language. For instance, 'Hitler' becomes 'HTLR' and 'swastika' (Hakenkreuz) is abbreviated to 'HKNKRZ', allowing them to sell merchandise online.
However, the campaign 'Recht Gegen Rechts' (Rights Against the Right) has devised a novel strategy: registering Nazi symbols, coded extremist phrases, and names of far-right businesses as trademarks with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. Launched in 2021 by creative agency Jung von Matt and Hamburg-based nonprofit Laut Gegen Nazis, the campaign aims to legally block extremists from using these marks.
If far-right retailers continue to sell products bearing the registered names or phrases without authorization, they face legal action for infringement, including compensation for each item sold. Simon Knittel of Jung von Matt explained that these online shops are not hidden on the darknet but are accessible via specific URLs.
The campaign received help from Joern Menge of Laut Gegen Nazis and Philip Schlaffer, a former neo-Nazi and online shop owner who now speaks out against extremism. Schlaffer noted that many shops are based overseas, making it a global business with significant money flows.
The team identified over 35 online stores, each with more than 1,000 articles. After registering the first trademark, all shops voluntarily removed related products within 30 minutes. Subsequent registrations saw removal times drop to just 10 minutes, demonstrating the strategy's effectiveness.
The campaign also repurposes neo-Nazi slogans into anti-Nazi merchandise. It secured the trademark and domain of Druck18, a major neo-Nazi online retailer run by far-right extremist Tommy Frenck, and replaced it with a shop selling anti-Nazi and anti-racist items. For example, a sweatshirt features the crossed-out code 'HKN KRZ' with the text: 'Thank you trademark law: We've registered this Nazi code as a trademark so Nazis can't spread it.'
To date, the campaign has secured six trademarks and is working on more. Each registration takes up to six months and costs €1,600 ($1,823), funded entirely by donations. Jung von Matt provides pro bono services.
The campaign faces harassment and is involved in a lawsuit with Tommy Frenck, who lost in both the initial trial and appeal. While some codes cannot be trademarked, the campaign's primary goal is to raise public and political awareness about the existence of such coded extremist symbols.
Source: www.dw.com