Romanian Mobexpert Sues Austrian Retailer kika Over Ind Property Rights

Mobexpert accused kika of using one of its copyright-protected slogans.

“As far as I know, the slogan is registered at OSIM (State Office for Inventions and Trademarks – e.n.). Of all slogans in the world, they (kika – e.n.) had to choose this one,” Sucu said.

The slogan in question, “Thousands of ideas to decorate your bedroom” is similar to an older slogan used by Mobexpert and registered at OSIM, namely “Thousands of beautiful ideas, not necessarily the most expensive ones.”

“We were upset by kika’s arrogance, which entered the Romanian market recently and never bothered to check if they breach any protected industrial rights,” Mobexpert’s lawyer Alexander Popa said.

When contacted by Mediafax reporters, kika officials declined to comment, saying they will issue a statement on January 23.

The case will be tried before the Bucharest Courthouse on January 27.

Mobexpert is leading retailer on the Romanian furniture and interior design market. Its main rivals are IKEA, Elvila, Staer and kika.

Austria’s kika opened its first store in Romania in December last year, an investment of EUR31 million.