Only a Well-Known Cycling Event
The rowing event Tour de France à la Rame was an initiative by French sportsman Charles Hedrich. When Hedrich applied for trademark protection for his event, the Tour de France objected. However, in 2023, the French Court of Appeal rejected the cycling organization’s claim. According to that court, the Tour de France trademark was only known for a cycling event and the two names were otherwise not similar.
Mass Recognition Among All French People
However, in March 2025, the Cour de Cassation overturned the 2023 decision on appeal. The highest court found that the Tour de France is so widely recognized that the entire French public knows the brand. As a result, consumers would easily associate the two names. The Tour de France à la Rame unjustly benefits from the immense recognition of the Tour de France, which is not allowed, the court ruled.
Too Close for Comfort
So there will be no rowing through France for Hedrich—at least not under the trademark Tour de France à la Rame. It was somewhat expected: why align yourself so closely with the world’s most famous cycling event?
Bas Kist
Photo by Árni Svanur Daníelsson on Unsplash
