Siemens backs away from holocaust trademark row

German conglomerate Siemens has backed down on plans to register the trademark 'Zyklon' after being fiercely criticised by Jewish groups who were outraged by the fact that Zyklon was a poisonous gas used during the holocaust.

Siemens intended to launch a range of household products - including gas ovens - bearing the brand name, but has now scrapped its plans and apologised for any offence caused.

Last year the German firm filed two applications with the US Patent & Trademark Office for the Zyklon brand.

UK sports manufacturer Umbro was also criticised last week for launching a training shoe bearing the Zyklon name, which translates as 'cyclone' in German.

Dr Shimon Samuels, head of the European arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organisation, told the BBC: "Siemens should know better. This is a major, major scandal."

This latest revelation further tarnishes the name of Siemens, which has previously been criticised for using Jewish slave labour during the second world war.

Siemens is one of many German firms currently involved in settling compensation claims with Jewish groups for their parts in the war effort.

Other high-tech firms have also suffered public condemnation for their parts in the holocaust and their involvement with Nazi Germany. Last year IBM was accused of facilitating the persecution of Jews inside Germany through the provision of its punch-card technology (see http://www.silicon.com/a43595 for more).

Yahoo! also provoked an angry reaction last year by hosting auctions of Nazi memorabilia.