“Something Nice”: The Power of Mediation in Action

Across Europe, courts and institutions are increasingly championing mediation as the smart, sustainable way to resolve legal conflicts. A recent EUIPO case shows just how powerful mediation can be when two brands from different corners of Europe collide.

What started as a classic trademark dispute between Hungary’s Eco Leather Kft., owner of the Walami Szép (“something nice”) brand, and Italy’s Zanetti Textiles SpA, holder of the EU trademark Valami, could have spiralled into years of costly litigation. But when the EUIPO’s Opposition Division suggested mediation, something changed. With the EUIPO Mediation Centre guiding both sides, the companies agreed to meet online with a neutral mediator and discovered a more flexible, business-minded path forward.

The mediation uncovered what no formal hearing could: Walami Szép was never meant to imitate Valami. It was simply a Hungarian phrase with an innocent meaning — a linguistic coincidence. Once that misunderstanding was cleared up, the parties, with their lawyers’ help, crafted a creative deal. Eco Leather kept its trademark for vegan shoes and bags, while removing clothing from its EU application. Zanetti dropped its opposition, and both agreed to settle future disputes through mediation first. No courtrooms, no winners or losers — just two businesses moving forward.

Cases like this show why mediation is gaining traction across Europe: it’s faster, cheaper, and helps preserve business relationships — something litigation rarely does.

Thanks our firm’s membership in the ECTA Mediation Committee, our team stays closely involved with the newest developments in alternative dispute resolution and EU mediation practice.

Ready to explore mediation for your IP or business conflict? Get in touch with our team to discover how we can help you turn a legal clash into something nice.

Text: “Something Nice” in Every Language: How EUIPO Mediation Turned a Trade Mark Clash into a Sustainable Solution". EUIPO, https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/-something-nice-in-every-language-how-euipo-mediation-turned-a-trade-mark-clash-into-a-sustainable-solution. Viděno 14. listopad 2025.

Photo: By cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/cs-cz/foto/zena-drzeni-kuze-taska-6650008/