European trademark protection groups in a joint statement criticized government plans to introduce uniform packaging for tobacco products, saying the proposal amounts to indirect expropriation of commercial rights, according to the Irish Independent.

"Plain packaging laws amount to an indirect legislative expropriation of these valuable property rights," says the statement signed by eight groups, according to a Press Association report on the Independent website.
Health Minister James Reilly, who recently said cigarette pack prices should be doubled to EUR 20 (USD 27) has proposed plain-pack legislation that will require parliamentary approval. Adoption of plain packaging in Ireland would make it the second country behind Australia to mandate a drab colour and uniform branding for packs and pouches.
Among the statement signatories are the European Communities Trademark Association, the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce, Union IP, Marques, Czech Association for Branded Products and the Benelux Trademark Association.