Tamir Electronics filed a couple of trademark applications for Berliner, TM 188191 in class 9 (TV, video machines and stereos) and TM 188192 in class 11 (electrical goods, fridges, freezers, stoves, hobs and ovens).
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- berliner triplane
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- Rav Naftali Zvi Berlin
Although noting that the term could mean a jam filled doughnut (sufganiya) a popularly eaten in Israel on Hannucka and also a tye of newpaper format (like tabloid or broadsheet), these are linked to a geographic place.
The decision published on April 2009.
Deputy Commissioner and IP Adjudicator, Noach Shalev Shmulovich upheld rejection, as mark is either a fairly common surname 6(11) (at least amongst yekkim) or is indicative of goods originating in Berlin 11(11), which is not the case.
We suspect that there may be an implied criticism of the ongoing Budweiser beer brand controversy here.
Posted by Dr Michael Factor 
