German sex shop chain Beate Uhse must pay German soccer stars Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn 50,000 euros ($67,380) each for using their names for vibrators without permission, the company said Monday.
The company had marketed the sex toys, dubbed "Michael B." and "Olli K.," before Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006. Although the surnames of the two German soccer stars were not used, it was clear they referred to Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Kahn and national team captain Ballack sued Beate Uhse in court for unauthorized use of their names and won. "The products have been withdrawn," the spokeswoman said. "We have to pay 50,000 euros to each of them."
