{"id":30057,"date":"2025-12-04T15:04:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpw.law\/?p=30057"},"modified":"2026-04-13T15:06:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:06:19","slug":"copyright-in-the-piece-of-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/copyright-in-the-piece-of-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"Copyright on furniture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull v4-pattern-hero v4-pattern-hero--post is-style-background-blend is-style-arrow has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull v4-pattern-hero__cover\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);min-height:75vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img data-dominant-color=\"723d7d\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-30051 size-large not-transparent\" alt=\"Urheberrecht am M\u00f6belst\u00fcck, Rechtsanwalt, Designrecht, \n\" src=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Urheberrecht-am-Moebelstueck-1024x576.jpg\" style=\"--dominant-color: #723d7d; object-position:48% 83%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"48% 83%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Urheberrecht-am-Moebelstueck-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Urheberrecht-am-Moebelstueck-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Urheberrecht-am-Moebelstueck-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Urheberrecht-am-Moebelstueck-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Urheberrecht-am-Moebelstueck-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-base-background-color has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1d4b5d69 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19e250f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\r\n<h1 id=\"multirow-headline-block_91a2309f187d799e5dc77af0020926f0\" class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline\">\r\n    <div class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline\">\n\n<p class=\"has-gigantic-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\">Copyright<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-huge-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:15%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\">on  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-gigantic-font-size wp-elements-c25e63f1d1cab6a89c6eb31f7ae80c30\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\"><span class=\"v4-marker-highlight-background\">furniture<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> \r\n<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-small-font-size is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-76c96157 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:italic;font-weight:300;text-transform:uppercase\"><div style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:300;text-transform:uppercase;\" class=\"wp-block-post-date has-small-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-12-04T15:04:36+02:00\">4. December 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p>from<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\">Clemens Pfitzer<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c93ec0be wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>When is a piece of furniture protected by copyright &#8211; and when is a competitor&#8217;s product more than just &#8220;compatible&#8221;? The ECJ ruling of December 4, 2025 provides some clarity.   <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wie-ein-esstisch-und-ein-regalsystem-europa-beschaftigten\">How a dining table and a shelving system occupied Europe.<\/h2>\n\n<p>It begins with two quite everyday cases:  <\/p>\n\n<p>In Sweden, two dining tables that appear similar at first glance are under scrutiny. In Germany, the modular furniture system &#8220;USM Haller&#8221; is causing controversy because a third-party supplier sells matching components, assembly instructions and services. In both countries, the same question arises: how much creativity is there in a commodity &#8211; and how much protection can it afford?  <\/p>\n\n<p>The original courts wanted to know whether furniture can be considered a work at all if its form is partly subject to technical constraints. And if so, how do you check for copyright infringement when the eye immediately recognizes a similarity that needs to be defined more precisely in legal terms? <\/p>\n\n<p>The European Court of Justice uses this opportunity to fundamentally clarify the relationship between design, function and <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/rechtsgebiet\/urheberrecht\/\">copyright protection<\/a>. The decision serves as a compass for all sectors in which design and use are inextricably linked. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-originalitat-ohne-sonderprufung-der-eugh-raumt-auf\">Originality without special examination: The ECJ clears the air.<\/h2>\n\n<p>In its <a href=\"https:\/\/curia.europa.eu\/juris\/document\/document_print.jsf?mode=req&amp;pageIndex=0&amp;docid=306835&amp;part=1&amp;doclang=DE&amp;text=&amp;dir=&amp;occ=first&amp;cid=15722729\">Judgment of 04.12.2025 &#8211; Ref. C-580\/23 and C-795\/23 (Mio\/Asplund; USM\/konektra) <\/a> unequivocally puts an end to the idea that works of applied art require a higher creative threshold. Literally it says: <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group v4-pattern-general-quote-box has-kpw-pink-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<p>There is no rule-exception relationship between protection under design law and copyright law in which higher standards of originality would be required for objects of applied art.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>This makes it clear that a piece of furniture can be a work &#8211; without legal artifice.<\/p>\n\n<p>The only decisive factor is that the object &#8220;reflects the personality of its author&#8221; by &#8220;expressing free and creative choices&#8221;. This concept is not new, but this is the first time that the ECJ has consistently applied it to everyday objects. <\/p>\n\n<p>It is particularly important that the Court detaches the originality test from the subjective creation process. It emphasizes: <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group v4-pattern-general-quote-box has-kpw-pink-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<p>The creative process of the author as such is neither necessary nor decisive.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In other words, it&#8217;s not about what the designer was thinking, but about what you see in the object.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-funktion-formenschatz-inspiration-wo-kreativitat-beginnt\">Function, design, inspiration: where creativity begins<\/h2>\n\n<p>The ECJ draws a clear line between technical constraints and creative freedom. Originality can only arise where the designer had genuine creative freedom. Decisions that are &#8220;determined by technical or functional considerations&#8221; do not count.  <\/p>\n\n<p>At the same time, the Court emphasizes a freedom that is crucial in practice:<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group v4-pattern-general-quote-box has-kpw-pink-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<p>The use of the general vocabulary of forms does not exclude originality.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Design can therefore look familiar. Even a variation of an existing work &#8211; be it your own or someone else&#8217;s &#8211; can be original. Inspiration is allowed as long as it is translated into a unique design language.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Also noteworthy is the rejection of the widespread assumption that similar designs could arise by chance and therefore not constitute copyright.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group v4-pattern-general-quote-box has-kpw-pink-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<p>The possibility of a parallel, independent creation does not preclude the recognition of the character of a work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>For companies, this means that not every similarity is a coincidence and not every coincidence protects against liability.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wann-liegt-eine-urheberrechtsverletzung-vor-der-eugh-stellt-die-weichen\">When does copyright infringement occur? The ECJ sets the course. <\/h2>\n\n<p>The decision clearly separates copyright law from <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/rechtsgebiet\/designrecht\/\">design law<\/a>. While design law compares the overall impression, copyright law is concerned with the adoption of specific creative elements. <\/p>\n\n<p>The ECJ formulates this as follows:<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group v4-pattern-general-quote-box has-kpw-pink-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<p>In order to establish a copyright infringement, it must be determined whether the creative elements of the protected work have been recognizably incorporated into the contested object.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>This means that it is not the overall appearance that is decisive, but the creative details adopted. It is not enough for a piece of furniture to &#8220;somehow look the same&#8221;. It must be possible to identify which design-defining decisions were taken from the original.  <\/p>\n\n<p>And another striking sentence from Luxembourg that is likely to influence many processes:<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group v4-pattern-general-quote-box has-kpw-pink-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<p>The height of the design is irrelevant as soon as the character of the work has been established.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In legal terms, this means: a work is a work. Period.<br \/>There are no &#8220;slightly protected&#8221; or &#8220;only weakly protected&#8221; works. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-was-bedeutet-die-unterscheidung-in-der-praxis\">What does the distinction mean in practice?  <\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fur-hersteller-und-marken\">For manufacturers and trademarks<\/h3>\n\n<p>The decision strengthens design-intensive companies. Furniture, lighting, modular systems and many other products can be protected by copyright &#8211; in parallel with design law. The previously widespread assumption that articles of daily use require &#8220;more&#8221; level of design is therefore no longer valid throughout the EU.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fur-ersatzteil-und-zubehoranbieter\">For spare parts and accessories suppliers<\/h3>\n\n<p>The USM constellation shows the sensitivity of the aftermarket. Components that are technically essential can usually be freely copied. However, as soon as they are aesthetically characterized &#8211; for example through proportions, lines or iconic connection forms &#8211; there is a risk of creative elements being taken over.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Even assembly instructions or product photos can become problematic if they reproduce the protected design.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fur-handler-und-plattformen\">For retailers and platforms<\/h3>\n\n<p>Anyone who advertises compatible products using images of iconic designs is operating within narrow copyright boundaries. Even the visual link to a protected work can be legally relevant. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fur-designer\">For designers<\/h3>\n\n<p>Inspiration remains permissible, but it must be recognizably transformed. If you orientate yourself too closely to the model, you risk adopting creative elements, even without a technical copy. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fazit\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns v4-pattern-text-copy-half-col is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The ECJ&#8217;s decision leads to a clear and uniform definition of a work. As a result, furniture and other everyday objects can now enjoy copyright protection more easily. This increases the risk for imitators, but also for the spare parts and accessories industry, of being sued by the copyright holder for copyright infringement.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone who designs, sells or replicates products will have to take a closer look in future. Which form is technically necessary and which is creative? <br \/>Because this distinction determines protection, freedom and liability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide v4-pattern-cta-box has-secondary-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a7c0d175 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top v4-pattern-cta-box__columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-ec2e7a44 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-bce6ca70 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-right is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5c12a1d1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\r\n<div id=\"multirow-headline-block_5558df39333989552ecef9b457d3a9a6\" class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline alignwide\">\r\n    <div class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-huge-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\">We are happy to<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-x-large-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:8%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:0.9;text-transform:uppercase\">advise you about<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-huge-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:0.9;text-transform:uppercase\">Copyright!<\/p>\n\n<\/div> \r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5c3c14bb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-visual4-contact-modal__button\">\r\n            \r\n        <div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\r\n            \r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-button v4-contact-modal-button is-style-fill\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" data-form-id=\"8\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-contrast-color has-base-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\">Contact form<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        \r\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-style-mobile-only is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fc4fd283 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-arrow is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:4971141019030\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Call now!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column--image is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/themes\/kpw-law\/assets\/samples\/person-cropped.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23155\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Copyright on furniture: The ECJ strengthens the protection of design furniture and clarifies when creative design is protected against imitation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4904],"tags":[5981,4910,5756,5980,5281],"thema":[],"rechtsgebiet":[4923],"produkt":[4916,4915,5774],"class_list":["post-30057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","tag-accessories","tag-copyright-en","tag-furniture","tag-height-of-creation","tag-spare-parts","rechtsgebiet-copyright","produkt-copyright-advice","produkt-defense-against-copyright-warning","produkt-successfully-combating-copyright-infringement"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>ECJ: Copyright in furniture<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Copyright on furniture: The 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