The European Union’s top court has ruled in favor of IKEA in a legal dispute involving a Belgian anti-immigration political party. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) said that Inter IKEA, the company behind the IKEA brand, can legally challenge the use of its trademarks and visual materials by the Vlaams Belang party. The ruling came after the party used signs and images that closely resembled IKEA’s branding and assembly instructions in a political campaign in 2022. The court stated that while freedom of expression is a right, it does not justify using a well-known trademark without permission, especially if it could harm the brand's reputation or commercial interests. The case began when Inter IKEA filed legal action in 2023 against Vrijheidsfonds, an organization linked to Vlaams Belang, over its use of IKEA’s trademarks in political campaigns. A Belgian court had previously asked for clarification on whether EU trademark laws allowed such use in the context of political speech. The CJEU’s ruling clarified that the political group’s use of IKEA’s branding was likely intended to capitalize on the company’s global recognition to promote its message, rather than making a genuine political point. Now, the case will return to the Belgian Business Court in Brussels, where judges will decide if the use of IKEA’s trademarks was lawful under EU regulations. Vlaams Belang said it would carefully review the court’s ruling as it continues its legal proceedings. IKEA has not yet commented on the ruling but has been focused on other initiatives, including plans to launch a second-hand marketplace for its furniture and home products. The Swedish retail giant recently announced plans to create a new platform in the UK where customers can buy and sell pre-owned IKEA products. The company said the platform aims to make the process of trading second-hand items as smooth as possible. While no specific launch date has been given for the UK service, more details are expected soon. The platform will be accessible to members of IKEA’s loyalty program, IKEA Family, who can connect with other customers. Trials of similar services have already been launched in other countries, including Spain and Norway. The company emphasized that the new marketplace is part of its broader goal to enhance customer experiences and promote sustainability.