After a lengthy battle in Germany's patent court, EFAG trademark company has won the right to use "Ficken" as a brand name...and Ficken Schnapps was born. Why all the fuss you ask? "Ficken" is German for Fuck.
According to Der Spiegel, the court explained that, although the name is unquestionably in poor taste, it is not "sexually discriminatory" and does not violate public morals. Furthermore, the ruling reads, the word is found in the Duden, the authoritative style and spelling guide for the German language in Germany, and is used by people "in the widest range of social classes and age groups."
In fact, Ficken schnapps isn't even the first profane brew to be copyrighted in Germany. That distinction goes to Fucking Hell, A light beer that claims to be inspired by the charming Austrian village of Fucking.
The Mayor of Fucking is not pleased with the dubious honor. The village has already had so many signs like the one above stolen that he has taken to having the post set in cement and the signs welded to the post.
"The Bavarian towns of Kissing and Petting have the same problem, as does the eastern German town of Pissen. But so far, there are no plans to name a beer after them."
Auf Wiedersehen.
Der Spiegel
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