Writer George Sand continues to lend her name to Reemstma cigarette brand

Reemstma tobacco producer can use the name of George Sand as a brand name for its products. The appellate court in Poznan has decided there was no violation of the law and dismissed the claim of a distant relative of the famous writer against the company. In 1997 Christiane Smeets-Dudevant-Sand, who married into the Sand family sued the tobacco company for using the name of her relative. "Nobody has turned to me for my approval," she said in court. In justification of the jury's decision judge Ewa Juszczak said the plaintiff is not a close relative of the writer and therefore the suit has no legal basis. Moreover, the good name of the writer has not been tarnished, as there is a public acceptance for using famous names as brand names. Reemstma has the right to put the name and the signature of the writer on its products while Smeets-Dudevant-Sand must pay the company zl. 2,200 to cover the cost of the trial. The plaintiff may appeal to the Supreme Court. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 20)