Industrial Property Law

Under Article L. 511-7 of the Intellectual Property Code, designs contrary to public policy or morality are not protected. The reform of the Ordinance of 25 July 2001 made infringement of public policy and morality an absolute ground for invalidity of the design (Art. L. 512-4, a) IP Code), and no longer merely a ground for refusal of registration (Art. L. 512-2, al. 3, b) IP Code). The reform thu …

Public order and morality

Under Article L. 511-7 of the Intellectual Property Code, designs contrary to public policy or morality are not protected. The reform of the Ordinance of 25 July 2001 made infringement of public policy and morality an absolute ground for invalidity of the design (Art. L. 512-4, a) IP Code), and no longer merely a ground for refusal of registration (Art. L. 512-2, al. 3, b) IP Code). The reform thus brings the design regime closer to that of trademarks and patents.

However, the application of this exclusion by French courts remains exceptional. For example, a design based on the profile of a Marianne, registered by an association called “Expressions de France”, whose aim is the “participatory contribution from all to the Republic”, has been deemed to be contrary to public policy, as it clearly creates a risk of confusion with an official sign suggesting that it emanates from the French State and thus benefits from government endorsement .

CA Paris, 13 October 2017, LawLex202200003773JBJ.

Industrial Property Law

443. Public order and morality

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443. Public order and morality

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Les décisions de justice citées dans ce paragraphe :

Les notions juridiques connexes

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au contenu exclusif Livv – juristes d’entreprise