Logos implying sale of marijuana products can’t get trademark protection in the European Union because they’re “contrary to public policy,"an EU court said, posing a new challenge for companies seeking marijuana-related EU trademarks.
The public would perceive a sign reading “Cannabis Store Amsterdam” with green cannabis leaves in the background as referencing narcotics, the EU General Court said, upholding a EU Intellectual Property Office ruling.
The Dec. 12 decision doesn’t ban registration for all references to cannabis, which can be legal in most EU countries with a low enough concentration of marijuana’s psychoactive element. But the court effectively blocked registration ...