Green marks and local economic development

Both municipalities and local entrepreneurs can take advantage of ‘green marks’ (or ‘environmental’ marks). European citizens are increasingly interested in purchasing environmentally friendly goods or services. Protection of the environment is also of crucial importance for cities and local entrepreneurs. Both municipalities and local entrepreneurs should consciously take advantage of various types of ‘green’ guarantee signs or ‘quality’ signs. Firstly, signs supervised by the European Union – like the ‘ecolabel’, EU organic production logo or EMAS – should be distinguished. ‘Green’ marks could be also created and registered as guarantee (certification) marks by municipalities or entrepreneurs themselves. The aim of the article is to present a way to protect ‘green marks’. It was necessary to ask certain questions: Is the protection of individual trade marks dedicated to designations of quality? What kind of signs are protected as a common mark or certification mark? What is the role of green guarantee marks? The basic research method for this article was analysis of EU law and practice in the protection of green marks.