Upon examining trademark applications, national trademark offices in the EU may refuse to register a sign that is contrary to “public policy” or “accepted principles of morality”. This somewhat lesser-known absolute ground of refusal of registration is provided for by Article 4(1)(f) of the Trade Mark Directive (EU) 2015/2436 (TMD). In an effort to further harmonise the practices of the Member States’ Intellectual Property Offices, the EU Intellectual Property Network has issued a dedicated “Common Practice” to provide more clarity on this ground of refusal to the national Intellectual Property Offices.