Australian court OKs logo ban on cigarette packs

(AP) Australia's highest court has upheld the world's toughest law on cigarette promotion in a move that will see all logos stripped from cigarette packs.

The High Court's decision on Wednesday came after four tobacco companies challenged the law on the grounds that it violates intellectual property rights and devalues their trademarks.

The law bans tobacco companies from displaying their distinctive colors, brand designs and logos on cigarette packs in a bid to make smoking less attractive. The new rules go into effect in December.

The court withheld its reasons for the judgment. Those will be released later this year.