Secret Neo-Nazi Codes - How One Club Fights Back - Anti-fascists trademark neo-Nazi codes to halt extremist merchandise sales

A German anti-fascist group is taking legal action to block neo-Nazi coded merchandise. The organisation, Laut gegen Nazis, has trademarked terms like 'VTRLND' and 'ESS ESS' to stop far-right sales. These codes disguise banned slogans and symbols, allowing extremists to profit from clothing and accessories. Neo-Nazi groups have long used encrypted language to bypass restrictions. Terms such as 'VTRLND' (short for Vaterland, or Fatherland), 'ESS ESS' (referencing Hitler's Leibstandarte SS), and 'döpp dö dö döpp' (mimicking a racist chant) appear on caps, T-shirts, and other items sold online. These coded phrases help them avoid outright bans while still spreading extremist messages. Laut gegen Nazis, founded in 2004, campaigns against far-right ideology through music, workshops, and legal strategies. The group successfully trademarked several of these terms, gaining control over their commercial use. One victory involved Druck18.com, a shop once selling neo-Nazi merchandise that now offers anti-fascist alternatives. However, the tactic has limits. The original operators of Druck18.com relaunched under a new name, continuing to sell far-right products. Extremism researcher Felix Neumann notes that while trademarking disrupts extremist revenue, it may also highlight the codes, prompting new ones to emerge. He warns that far-right groups quickly adapt, making long-term suppression difficult. Other platforms, like the WhiteDate dating portal, have faced takedowns. But no official records confirm how many similar sites have been closed since 2020. Activists, including hackers, have targeted these networks, yet the problem persists. The trademark strategy provides a legal tool to curb neo-Nazi profits. Yet its effectiveness remains uncertain as extremists develop fresh codes and workarounds. For now, Laut gegen Nazis continues its efforts, combining legal action with public awareness campaigns.