It all started at the end of January 2022, when the Trojmiasto.pl portal reported on the effects of storms and gales that hit the Pomeranian region at that time. Readers sent in their photos and videos, showing the effects of the sudden change in weather. And so, in one of the submitted videos, a toppled parcel locker was visible, with the caption “Toppled parcel locker at Plac Górnośląski.”
It was this very caption, with the reference to the word “paczkomat,” that became the point of contention between InPost and a local news portal. According to the well-known logistics company, the machine shown in the recording was not owned by InPost, and therefore, a request for correction of the disputed caption was sent to Trojmiasto.pl, as, due to the company’s protective rights to the trademark “paczkomat,” only its devices can use this term, which was not the case in this situation.
In response to the request, the portal stated that it does not deny InPost’s rights to the name “paczkomat” in any way, but according to the editorial staff, this term has become permanently ingrained in the Polish language and is used commonly as a generic term.
As a result, InPost filed a lawsuit against Trojmiasto.pl, in which it demands, among other things, a correction regarding the attached post, along with information that only the InPost group can use the term “paczkomat” as a registered trademark.
The outcome of the case will be particularly interesting because it involves a news portal, so the potential ruling may have implications for the future actions of similar services.
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