The coat of arms series ended this Monday. Swiss sports teams, all categories combined, can from now on use them on their jerseys without the need for prior authorization. The Swiss men’s ice hockey team will thus be able to wear their traditional jersey during the next Swiss Ice Hockey Games, where they will face Sweden (December 12), the Czech Republic (December 14) and Finland (December 15).
During the previous international window, at the beginning of November, the Swiss Hockey Federation obtained an exemption so that the troop led by Patrick Fischer could skate with the coat of arms. But the judgment was not final and the National Council was invited to examine the question during its winter session. This Monday, its members gave their approval. A position aligned with that of the Committee on Science, Education and Culture (CSEC) of the Swiss Parliament.
The Federal Council now has two years to amend the said law. Which, which came into force in 2017, stipulates that the use of the coat of arms – a Swiss cross placed in a shield – is reserved for the Confederation. Until now, certain exceptions were possible but it was necessary to make a request for exceptional authorization from the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP).
As a reminder, Swiss Ice Hockey had forgotten to officially request to be able to use the coat of arms before the 2018 deadline. Outlawed, the body had been targeted by a complaint from the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property in December 2023 An approach which resulted in a ruling from the Federal Administrative Court in mid-October, prohibiting the Swiss hockey team from displaying the coat of arms.
Since then, Swiss Ice Hockey and the IPI have reached an agreement. Recognizing its administrative error, the federation was authorized to keep the knitting of its selections until the end of 2026 and committed to changing it from January 1, 2027.
Thanks to the decision of the National Council, she will not need to do so.
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