An important victory for Venice Lagoon Plastic Free (VLPF ODV-ETS). In a broader dispute, the Opposition Division of the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office), with Decision No. B 3 156 519 taken on the 4th of June 2025—no longer appealable as of October 2025—has fully rejected the opposition filed by Plastic Free Odv Onlus against the figurative trademark “VENICE LAGOON PLASTIC FREE” owned by Venice Lagoon Plastic Free (VLPF ODV-ETS), represented by the law firm Saglietti Bianco.
Key points of the decision
• Absence of likelihood of confusion (Art. 8(1)(b) EUTMR)
The EUIPO established that although both signs contain the expression “PLASTIC FREE,” this wording has weak distinctive character in the environmental sector, as it merely evokes ecological purposes.
• Only a “low degree” of similarity
The visual, phonetic, and conceptual similarities between the signs were deemed marginal and therefore insufficient to create confusion regarding the origin of the services.
• Lack of notoriety of the earlier sign
The opponent failed to provide adequate evidence of the reputation of its mark for the relevant goods/services.
As a result, the Division also rejected the grounds based on identity under Art. 8(1)(a), dismissing the opposition in full and ordering Plastic Free to pay the costs.
A victory of principle for the legitimate protection of local initiatives
“It was a relentless, incomprehensible, and very burdensome opposition for us, also pursued at the national level before the UIBM (Italian Patent and Trademark Office),” comments VLPF Director Dr Davide Poletto. “Plastic Free tried to exert strong pressure, exploiting its national visibility and the substantial financial resources at its disposal. We were faced with a real David-vs-Goliath confrontation, which we unquestionably won thanks to our determination and the professionalism of our legal team.”
Poletto also highlights that Venice Lagoon Plastic Free was established before Plastic Free and has a profoundly different mission, focused on the World Heritage Site of Venice and its lagoon as a laboratory to:
• develop and test innovative solutions for the prevention, monitoring, and valorization of marine litter,
• promote sustainable and circular blue economy initiatives replicable on a regional, national, European, and international scale.
“This decision allows us to continue our highly innovative work, appreciated internationally, with the determination that has always defined us in legitimately protecting our identity, our values, and the activities and projects serving our territory. We hope that this decision may inspire other organizations that may find themselves in situations similar to ours,” Poletto concludes.
The contribution of the Saglietti Bianco legal firm
The IP team at Saglietti Bianco structured the defence by emphasizing:
• the intrinsic weakness of the expression “PLASTIC FREE” in the environmental context,
• the absence of evidence supporting the enhanced distinctiveness of the opposing mark,
• the centrality of the elements “VENICE LAGOON” and the graphic layout of the trademark,
• the structural and semantic differences between the two signs.
This strategy was fully upheld by the EUIPO’s decision, which recognised the Venice Lagoon Plastic Free trademark’s complete autonomy and originality.
“We are proud of this result for VLPF: the decision acknowledges the unique identity of their project and safeguards the proper balance between environmental goals and trademark rights,” said Dr Leilani Trovò, Senior Associate at Saglietti Bianco.