Ges. Gesch. was common on the back of some Third Reich badges. Was it ever used after the war on the backs of legitement, I know it was used on copies, badges? I've posted a picture below.
Cheers,
Gordon
Cheers,
Gordon
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"GESETZLICH GESCHUTZ" or "GES. GESCH." is a legal concept that has nothing to do with the Nazis in particular.
It is often wrongly translated as "Patent Pending". Its real meaning is "Legally Protected", and relates most closely to the concept of copyright protection of trademarks.
A pin or design marked "Ges. Gesch." indicates the design has been registered as created or owned by someone or something. In the early days of the NSDAP, they registered their badge designs against illegal duplication or use. Sometimes the designs were owned by companies that made up new badges and insignia for sale to the NSDAP before standardization, so Assmann or Steinhauer & Luck actually owned the design of some Nazi badges or tinnies.
Occasionally, "Ges. Gesch." can also mean that the badge is being made under license and the design is owned by someone else, but it is still protected and beng used by permission.
The RZM system practically replaced the need for the "Ges. Gesch." mark or system, since it was essentially a design protection and licensing system. Very early RZM badges might carry both the RZM mark and "Ges. Gesch.", but that stopped as the RZM became more established. Badges not under RZM control (ie - non-NSDAP badges) continued to use Ges. Gesch.
"Ges. Gesch." is still in use as an indication that a design is a registered or protected trademark or design, so it has been used right up to the present, as well as back into the 1800s.
Hope this answers your question. -
sjl,
Thanks for your response. I was aware of the majority of what you said. My only question was was the term still used post 1945 and you answered that.
Thanks,
GordonComment
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