The judge ordered Greenpeace to cease using the manipulated logo
pending a full hearing. Greenpeace was given four working days to
remove the logo from the StopEsso web site. If it fails to comply
with the order, it will face fines of €5,000 (£3,000) for each day
that the logo remains.
The US oil giant claimed that Greenpeace was attempting to
associate its Esso brand with the Nazi SS. Exxon demanded €80,000
per day for damage to its reputation and a further €80,000 per day
should Greenpeace fail to comply. It was also seeking to have the
French version of the StopEsso site shutdown.
Greenpeace claimed that the logo was used to “show that for this
multinational, profits go before the planet and future
generations”. It said that the decision “shows how a massive oil
company will resort to using its power and wealth to halt
criticism”, and that Exxon “should concentrate on changing its
policy on climate changes rather than shooting the messenger.”
The environmental group also said that the campaign would
continue and that it would appeal against the decision.
A spokeswoman for Esso France said that the company was very
pleased with the decision, and added: “We uphold the right of
Greenpeace to have freedom of expression but we were not willing to
put up with the misuse of the company logo.”
Exxon claims that it is taking measures to address the issue of
global warming, and it recently published a report on its corporate
social responsibility.
