From words to deeds. In Germany, as in many other European countries, including Italy, the word “leather” cannot be used, for purely commercial purposes (obvious), alongside terms such as “vegan” or “eco” or even “apple”. VDL, the association representing the German tanning industry, won an important victory in court against a company that sold products made of “Apfelleder” (apple leather).
“Apple leather” is misleading
Under German law, VDL can prosecute companies that engage in unfair competition by incorrectly using the word “leather”. The association that sued Martin Rütter recounts the latest case: Rütter is a dog trainer, well-known on television, who offers “apple skin” dog collars and leashes through an online store. In October 2024, VDL sent a cease-and-desist letter to Mina Merchandising, the company selling the products in question, asking it to stop using the term “Apfelleder” as “impermissible, misleading, and anticompetitive for advertising purposes”. Having received no response, the association decided to take legal action, but the judge of the Cologne Regional Court rejected the association’s petition. On what grounds? “The blue color of the collar alone is sufficient to prevent consumers from believing that they are buying a genuine leather product, even if the collar buckle is black”.
The appeal
In March 2025, VDL appealed this decision, and on July 4, the Higher Regional Court of Cologne upheld VDL’s arguments. Now Mina Merchandising, Germany, will no longer be able to use the term “Apfelleder” (apple skin) to promote products that are not made entirely or partly of leather. “We are not against new materials, but we don’t want them to be referred to as leather in order to mislead consumers”, is the German association’s comment.
Photos from the Court of Cologne and Mina Merchandising
