BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's highest court says Danish toy maker Lego cannot claim exclusive right to use its popular plastic bricks as a trademark.
The European Court of Justice's ruling allows competitors to continue selling plastic building blocks similar to Lego's in the EU's 27 nations.
The Luxembourg-based court rejected an appeal Wednesday by the toy maker.
Lego, based in western Denmark, secured a trademark for the brick in 1999 but the EU trademarks office canceled it in 2004 after an appeal by rival toy maker, Canada's Mega Brands Inc., which makes similar blocks.
Lego spokesman Peter Kjaer says the company has "no option but to note the court's ruling."
