A Danish court has ruled against Opus Dei in its suit against a Danish publisher for alleged trademark violations in a card game that uses the name of the Roman Catholic organization.

In their verdict Friday, judges at the Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court ruled that the philosophy-themed card game "Opus Dei. Existence After Religion" is so different from the Catholic organization's mission that use of the Latin words "Opus Dei" - meaning "God's work" - cannot constitute a trademark infringement.

Lawyers for the card game producer, Dema Games, had argued that religious concepts and phrases such as "Virgin Mary" and "hallelujah" should not enjoy trademark protection.

The court ruled that Opus Dei will have to pay the defendant's legal expenses of 45,000 kroner ($8,000).