Swiss sports teams will be able to use the Confederation’s coat of arms on their jerseys without requesting authorization. Parliament instructed the Federal Council to change the law, following the controversy at the last ice hockey world championships.
The Swiss cross or the Swiss flag (white cross in a red square) can be used on national knitwear without problems. On the other hand, in the form of a shield, these are reserved for the Confederation.
Since 2017 and the entry into force of the “Swissness” project, the conditions have become stricter. If used in good faith, exceptions are permitted, for example for Victorinox or TCS. The Federal Council must give exceptional authorization.
The controversy arose during the recent hockey world championships in the Czech Republic. The Swiss coat of arms appears on the jerseys of the national women’s and men’s ice hockey teams and teams at all levels of the next generation. However, in 2018, the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) informed the ice hockey federation that the use of the Swiss coat of arms by the national team was abusive.
Two similar motions tabled in both Chambers, by MP Matthias Aebischer (PS/BE) and Senator Damian Müller (PLR/LU), request that national teams can legally use the Swiss coat of arms. On Monday, the National supported by 137 votes to 24 Mr. Müller’s text, already accepted by the Council of States. Mr. Aebischer announced that he would immediately withdraw his text.
For the commission, Sylvain Freymond (UDC/VD) argued that national teams are “a powerful symbol of cohesion and representation”. They do not use the coat of arms “in a commercial and abusive manner, but honor them”. It’s about offering them “legitimate recognition”.
“A brand”
The Confederation must continue to be the only one able to use the Swiss coat of arms, in the form of a shield, countered Federal Councilor Beat Jans. It is a “brand”, which the Confederation uses for its official documents.
The IPI found that the conditions for granting a right to continue use were not met. The hockey federation then challenged this decision before the Federal Administrative Court. The latter ruled in favor of the IPI last October.
Since then, an agreement has been reached between the two parties, noted Mr. Jans, adding that there is no longer any need to act. The IPI and the hockey federation signed an agreement which authorizes the use of the current jersey with the coat of arms until the end of 2026. The federation admitted having made a mistake and agreed to change the jersey from January 1, 2027.
There is no need to change the law to find solutions, argued the federal councilor. And to believe that we should not “open Pandora’s box” when this particular case has been resolved. In vain.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
