Danish toy maker Lego, whose U.S. operation is based in Enfield, lost a trademark court battle today to protect its iconic plastic bricks in the European market.
The ruling by the European Union’s Court of First Instance will allow competitors to continue selling plastic building blocks similar to Lego’s in the EU’s 27 nations.
The Luxembourg-based court rejected the latest attempt by the toy manufacturer, based in Billund, Denmark, to register a trademark for its standard-sized brick.
Lego secured a trademark for the brick in 1999, but the EU trademarks office canceled it five years later after an appeal by rival toy maker, Canada’s Mega Brands Inc., which makes similar blocks. The court today backed the 2004 decision.
Lego spokeswoman Charlotte Simonsen said she expected the company would appeal the decision to the highest EU court. (AP)
