OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Supreme Court has decided in favor of local thrift store chain Value Village after a years-long legal battle with Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

The AG’s office began investigating eight years ago, alleging that the Bellevue-based thrift chain had been misleading customers into believing it was a nonprofit or charitable organization.

Value Village is a for-profit company that pays money to charitable organizations or donations, but does not give proceeds of sales to the charities.

The nine justices ruled unamimously that the company’s marketing practices are protected by the First Amendment.

Ferguson released a statement expressing disappointment in the verdict, but noted his office was proud that its investigation led to the thrift store more clearly disclosing its for-profit status.