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.