BVB initiates a lawsuit against AfD's election campaign strategy - BVB Initiates a Lawsuit Against Controversial Political Advertising by AfD
Borussia Dortmund Takes Legal Action Against AfD Election Advertisement
Borussia Dortmund, a renowned Bundesliga football club, has initiated a legal action against a local AfD election advertisement sticker. The legal action stems from the use of the club's distinctive black and yellow colors in the AfD campaign, which the football club argues unlawfully links the political party to its identity.
The election advertisement sticker, designed for the upcoming NRW state election on September 14, reads: "Black and yellow in football - blue on Sunday." This phrase suggests a link between Borussia Dortmund and a political stance, which the club does not want to give the impression of.
In a cease and desist letter sent to Bundestag member Matthias Helferich and the AfD Dortmund district association, Borussia Dortmund's lawyers demanded that they stop using the club's colors in their campaign or face potential legal consequences. The club emphasized that the black and yellow color combination is iconic and unique to BVB worldwide, and its unauthorized use by a political party was considered an unlawful attempt to appropriate their brand and values.
The dispute centers around protecting Borussia Dortmund's identity from being politically exploited, especially by the far-right AfD party, whose political positions contradict the club’s values. The club seeks to prevent any implication that Dortmund football fans would be aligned with the AfD politically.
Despite the potential legal implications, Helferich told dpa that even if the AfD Dortmund legally loses, thousands of Dortmund fans will vote for the AfD on September 14. This statement underscores the complexities of the situation, as the club's legal action aims to distance itself from the political party, while some fans may continue to support the AfD.
If the AfD Dortmund does not sign the cease and desist declaration, legal action will be taken. The legal action against the AfD election advertisement sticker is related to the use of Borussia Dortmund's club colors, which the club believes has been appropriated without permission. The club's stance underscores the importance of protecting its brand and values in the face of political exploitation.
- The dispute over the AfD election advertisement sticker highlights the need for clear community policies to protect brands from unauthorized use for political purposes.
- Sports news and general news outlets should cover the legal action taken by Borussia Dortmund against the AfD, as it demonstrates the intersection of politics and policy-and-legislation.
- While Borussia Dortmund's legal action aims to separate itself from the AfD politically, it remains to be seen how this will affect the voting behavior of their football fans, as the sports world often intersects with politics, especially during elections.
