Legal Dispute Between Heidenheim and Hansa Rostock Over ‘FCH’ Abbreviation

1. FC Heidenheim, currently competing in the Bundesliga, and Hansa Rostock, a member of the 3. Liga, are embroiled in a legal dispute over the rights to use the abbreviation “FCH.” The last time these two teams faced each other on the pitch was nearly three years ago, but their current contention is unfolding in a court of law.

According to a report by the Ostsee-Zeitung, as referenced by Kicker, Hansa Rostock has challenged Heidenheim’s registration of the “FCH Fanshop” name and logo with the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) in 2024. Rostock is asserting its claim to the “FCH” abbreviation.

The origins of this dispute stem from a bilateral marketing agreement established in 2008, where it was agreed that Heidenheim, the club from Baden-Württemberg, would refrain from claiming the “FCH” designation exclusively for itself. Heidenheim is alleged to have breached this agreement by pursuing trademark registration while asserting its position as the older club.

While Heidenheim boasts a founding date of 1846, the club has undergone several mergers and restructurings over the years. The current iteration of the club was officially formed in 2007. In contrast, Hansa Rostock was founded in 1965, positioning it as the older institution.

Both parties have expressed their perspectives through representatives, with Heidenheim’s spokesman Markus Gamm and Rostock’s PR professional Marit Scholz quoted in the Ostsee-Zeitung article. They confirmed that the case is currently progressing through the legal system, although both clubs are open to exploring an out-of-court settlement.

Scholz elaborated on the 2008 agreement, indicating that Heidenheim would only be permitted to use the “FCH” moniker if it was accompanied by additional clarification, specifically the designation “Heidenheim 1846.”