Overview
- Maike Kohl-Richter and the Verein Helmut Kohl Stiftung e. V. filed an injunction at the Landgericht Berlin to stop the Bundeskanzler-Helmut-Kohl-Stiftung from using Helmut Kohl’s name.
- The court confirmed receipt of the suit and said no date has been set for an oral hearing as the parties may submit written statements.
- Her lawyer, Michael Nielen, argues the foundation lacks authorization because Kohl withheld consent during his lifetime and posthumous consent must come from his sole heir.
- The Berlin foundation, established by law in 2021 to commemorate Kohl’s political legacy, disputes the allegations and asks the court to dismiss the case or suspend it pending a related names ruling.
- A separate dispute over trademark rights secured by Kohl-Richter is proceeding in parallel to the Berlin case.