Catholic organization loses Danish court case over use of Opus Dei name in card game
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A Danish court has ruled against Opus Dei in its suit against a Danish publisher for alleged trademark violations in a card game that uses the name of the Roman Catholic organization.
In their verdict Friday, judges at the Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court ruled that the philosophy-themed card game "Opus Dei. Existence After Religion" is so different from the Catholic organization's mission that use of the Latin words "Opus Dei" — meaning "God's work" — cannot constitute a trademark infringement.
Lawyers for the card game producer, Dema Games, had argued that religious concepts and phrases such as "Virgin Mary" and "hallelujah" should not enjoy trademark protection.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The court ruled that Opus Dei will have to pay the defendant's legal expenses of 45,000 kroner ($8,000).