Hamburg Regional Court confirms Likelihood of Confusion between AIRSHOW and AIRFLOW
Munich, March 2026 – Müller Schupfner & Partner has successfully obtained a preliminary injunction against a competitor’s use of the sign “AIRSHOW”. At the firm’s request, the Hamburg Regional Court issued a preliminary injunction, thereby confirming the applicant’s position in the trademark dispute.
The subject of the proceedings was a competitor’s use of the trademark “AIRSHOW” in connection with informational events for dental prophylaxis devices. The applicant argued that this use infringed upon the rights to the registered and well-known trademark “AIRFLOW” and was likely to cause confusion among the relevant public. Furthermore, it was contended that the trademark was being used in a trademark-like manner, meaning that it could be understood by the relevant public as an indication of origin pointing to a specific company.
The Hamburg Regional Court accepted this line of reasoning. In its decision, the court found that there is a relevant likelihood of confusion between the trademarks. Key factors in this determination included the similarity of the trademarks and the fact that they were used in connection with services for prophylaxis devices. Furthermore, the court expressly confirmed that the contested use of the trademark “AIRSHOW” constitutes use in a manner that infringes the trademark.
With the issuance of the preliminary injunction, the respondent is provisionally prohibited from continuing to use the sign “AIRSHOW” in the manner at issue for events.
Müller Schupfner & Partner regularly advises companies on the development, protection, and enforcement of trademark rights, as well as on defending against trademark claims.