Stinky-fingered nutcracker fights against cheap copies

Wooden toy maker Markus Füchtner has already sent a nutcracker into space and developed a smoking rocket. But his favorite thing to do is stand at the lathe in his workshop in Seiffen to make nutcrackers. This is how his ancestors did it. Following tradition, they represent authorities: King, hussar, forester. But one in his workshop stands out from the crowd: the stinky-fingered nutcracker. And this is how it came about.

One morning, browsing through advertising brochures spoiled his breakfast, says the 44-year-old. "In the neighboring town here in the Ore Mountains, a cheap nutcracker copy from China was on sale for 12.99 euros." He is outraged: "You can't do that."

F Füchtner has nothing on the Erzgebirge nutcracker, as his great-great-great-grandfather is considered its inventor. So he did what he is particularly good at on the lathe: a new nutcracker. Like his colleagues, it is made of wood and has a beard and hair made of rabbit fur. Instead of a red robe, however, he wears shorts and a baseball cap. And his hand makes a clear gesture. The wooden rebel was created in collaboration with "Boys from the Wood" - a group of young people who celebrate the Erzgebirge and its customs in a modern way, emphasizes the 44-year-old.

Füchtner's message: his genuine Erzgebirge nutcracker gives the finger to the copy from China. He made 15 of them, but they sold out quickly; one copy still stands in his workshop next to the lathe. Now he is thinking about making another one. "But it won't happen before Christmas."

Association warns traders - some cases end up in court

The arts and crafts of the Ore Mountains have been recognized as intangible cultural heritage since the spring. However, for many years now, foreign wooden figures with a connection to the region have been repeatedly advertised - for example in online stores. The Association of Erzgebirge Craftsmen and Toy Manufacturers is taking action against this. On average, one to two warning letters are sent out every month, explains Managing Director Frederic Günther.

Sometimes the cases also end up in court. For example, in the case of an online retailer, the Higher Regional Court ruled that advertising an imported product with the words "in Erzgebirge style" constituted unlawful exploitation of the good reputation of Erzgebirge originals (Ref.: 14 U 905/24). The appeal against the ruling was rejected by the Federal Court of Justice this year, meaning that the judgement is legally binding.

According to Günther, only manufacturers certified by the association may use trademarks such as "Erzgebirgisches Kunsthandwerk", "Echt Erzgebirge" or "Seiffener Volkskunst", as well as the association logo. This is to ensure that products such as nutcrackers, angel figurines, pyramids and smokers are traditionally handmade in the region. In addition, buyers should have the guarantee that handicrafts advertised with reference to the Erzgebirge meet these quality requirements. This is why the association is also taking action against the misuse of the geographical indication of origin.