Media Roger Schawinski may operate web station as Radio Grischa
The Graubünden High Court has written another chapter in the conflict between Zurich media entrepreneur Roger Schawinski and the Somedia media group over Radio Grischa. Schawinski is allowed to use the name Radio Grischa until further notice.
26.06.2025, 12:49
SDA
The High Court has rejected a request from Somedia and its radio company to issue a precautionary ban. This was announced by the court on Thursday. This means that two Radio Grischa stations will continue to be on air: Somedia's licensed local station and Schawinski's web radio.
Schawinski and his Graubünden business partner Stefan Bühler launched a web radio station under the name Radio Grischa on April 2. Somedia and its Radio Grischa AG then accused Schawinski of violating the Federal Act against Unfair Competition (UWG) with the web radio.
No distinctive character
However, the court rejected Somedia's application. The judges found that Radio Grischa was not distinctive in the sense of the Unfair Competition Act. It is true that Radio Grischa was previously known as a local-regional radio station. "However, it cannot be concluded from this reputation alone that a significant proportion of the public associates this name with the Somedia media group," the court stated.
Furthermore, Somedia could no longer claim protection under the UWG due to the fact that the name Radio Grischa had not been used for many years. Radio Grischa was renamed by Somedia in 2015 and realigned as Radio Südostschweiz. It has only been broadcasting under its original name again since last December. The High Court does not believe that the media company used the name Radio Grischa in its public image from 2015 to 2024.
The ruling is not legally binding. It can be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
