EUIPO and member offices: Common Communication on trade marks contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the offices of EU member states have prepared a Common Communication with the aim of providing a common understanding on the concepts of public policy and accepted principles of morality, clarifying the differences between these concepts. The communication establishes criteria for the assessment of whether a sign is contrary to public policy and/or to accepted principles of morality. In addition, the document provides examples of signs that could be considered contrary to public policy and/or to accepted principles of morality.

Although the assessment of whether a sign is contrary to public policy and/or to accepted principles of morality will always be carried out on a case-by-case basis, and although the assessment is linked to the norms and values that prevail in society at a given time, the newly published principles serve as guidance to ensure that different member states' Intellectual Property Offices assess the provision in a similar and predictable way.

The Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) participated in the preparation of the communication and has approved it. The Common Practice applies in Finland as of 19 April 2024.

Read the entire communication on the EUIPO website.Open link in a new tab

For further information, please contact
Noora Laine
Legal Officer
Tel. +358 29 509 5535
Email: [email protected]