A logo designed for product identification, consisting of an English word and a preceding sign, lacks the character of a work within the meaning of § 2 II UrhG if the graphic artist designing the logo has made use of previously known color and form elements and the creative work is owed to the purpose of use or does not go beyond a purely manual activity. If the logo is intended to identify the products of one of the parties according to the parties‘ consensus and the author participates in the distribution of the products, this may result in an exclusive, perpetual and royalty-free license in favour of the contractual partner (OLG Frankfurt am Main, judgment of 12 June 2019, Ref.: 11 U 51/18 – to the full text of the decision).
Trademark application in bad faith as leverage in competition
Trademark applications in bad faith: How abusive registrations lead to a blocking position and circumvent competition law – an EGC case.