Jana Bogatz IP practitioners around the world have been following the many legal questions around Easter bunnies – ranging from the manifold aspects of 3D trademark protection and enforcement to the latest dispute over an alleged monopoly for the colour gold in relation to Lindt chocolate bunnies (the latter currently pending before the German Federal Supreme Court). With Easter around the corner, we take a closer look at how the unconventional background of the Easter bunny has led to the latest chapter in the gold bunny saga. The origins of the Easter bunny While the exact origins of the Easter bunny are generally unknown, there may be some German connection. In a custom first mentioned in 1682, each Easter the imaginary rabbit lays and decorates eggs, before hiding them with sweets in the garden for children to find. Thus, the Easter Bunny has a similar role to Santa Claus, as both characters judge whether children have behaved well or not.