Chinese manufacturer DiD, which is selling the doll as part of its 'WWII German Army Supply Range,' maintains that the similarity of the doll, named 'Bastian,' to the footballer is purely coincidental.
"The figure is based on the typical German. We believe that all Germans look this," the spokesperson explained.
"Bastian is a very common name in Germany."
Media lawyer Ulrich Amelung told Bild that five or six figure Euro sums have been awarded in damages to plaintiffs in similar cases.
"This is a clear violation of Schweinsteiger's personality rights. Everyone has the right to an image. The depiction as a swastika-bearing Wehrmacht soldier also constitutes a gross defamation and insult," said Amelung.
Unsere Titelseite heute mit diesen Themen: China-Sauerei: Schweini als Nazi-Puppe: https://t.co/yBkwXNtW5m pic.twitter.com/CpSup3mHpE
— BILD (@BILD) 22 октября 2015
Aufregung um Bastian #Schweinsteiger als Nazi-Puppe. https://t.co/YAd4iKruA1 pic.twitter.com/ntHzgCeLK2
— Berliner Zeitung (@BLZonline) 22 октября 2015
The 'Bastian' doll in question, which retails for 108 Euros [$120], is 30 cm tall and part of the WWII – Germany range of dolls; he is wearing a 'German Supply Duty' uniform.
In addition to its WWII Germany range, which also includes a Waffen SS Medic named Peter and a Russian sniper from Stalingrad named Koulikov, DiD offers a 'legends' range that includes Joseph Stalin and Martin Luther King, as well as a WWII British range which features Winston Churchill and a British bulldog.
