Case T-84/03: Action brought on 28 February 2003 by Maurizio Turco against the Council of the European Union
Date: 2003-05-10
Institutions: Court of First Instance
Subjects: Council of the European Union, European Parliament, European official, access to information, action for annulment (EU)

C 112/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

10.5.2003

Pleas in law and main arguments

The applicant claims that the Court should:

Licorera Zacapaneca S.A.

Figurative mark ‘VENADO’ —
Application No 986000 lodged in
respect of goods in Classes 32 and
33 (inter alia mineral and aerated
waters and other non-alcoholic
drinks, rum, rum-based liqueurs,
brandy)

— annul the decision of the defendant refusing the applicant
access to certain legislative proposals containing the
identity of Member States’ positions, and to a legal
opinion drawn up by the Council’s Legal Service.

— order the Council to pay the applicant’s costs.

The applicant

Pleas in law and main arguments

Applicant
munity trade mark:

for

Com-

Community trade mark
sought:

Proprietor of mark or
sign cited in the oppo-
sition proceedings:

Mark or sign cited in
opposition:

Figurative mark consisting of a
stag’s head with a cross, registered
in respect of goods in Classes 18,
alia
25, 32 and 33 (inter
umbrellas,
non-
alcoholic beverages in so far as
included in Class 32, wines and
spirits) — Trade mark No 337337

clothing,

Decision of the Oppo-
sition Division:

Registration refused

Decision of the Board of
Appeal:

Rejection of the applicant’s oppo-
sition

Pleas in law:

— Infringement of Article 73 of

Regulation (EC) No 40/94;

— Misapplication

of
Article 8(1)(b) of Regulation
(EC) No 40/94;

— Incorrect assessment of the
similarity of the marks.

Action brought on 28 February 2003 by Maurizio Turco
against the Council of the European Union

(Case T-84/03)

(2003/C 112/73)

(Language of the case: English)

An action against the Council of the European Union was
brought before the Court of First Instance of the European
Communities on 28 February 2003 by Maurizio Turco,
Pulsano, Italy, represented by Mr O. W. Brouwer and Mr
Thomas Janssens, Lawyers.

The applicant is an Italian Member of the European Parliament.
On 22 October 2002 the applicant submitted a request to the
defendant requesting access to the documents appearing on
the agenda of the 2455th meeting of the Council (Justice and
Home Affairs) which took place in Luxembourg on 14 and
15 October 2002. In its reply, dated 5 November 2002, the
defendant indicated that full access could be granted to most
of the documents requested by the applicant. However, with
regard to three legislative proposals, the defendant indicated
that the applicant could be granted only partial access, and in
particular that access could not be granted to those parts of
the proposals identifying the positions taken by the national
delegations on the subject matters under discussion. The
defendant further refused to grant access to a fourth document
which contained a legal opinion of the defendant’s legal
service.

In support of his application the applicant submits the
following contentions:

— By refusing access to the documents mentioned above,
the defendant violated Articles 4, paragraphs 2 and 3 of
Regulation EC/1049/2001 (1) as well as the principle of
proportionality.

— the defendant violated Article 253 EC and Article 7,
paragraphs 1 and 2 of Regulation EC/1049/2001 in that
it failed to provide sufficient reasons for its Decision

— the defendant violated citizens’ fundamental political and
civil rights as guaranteed by international and European
conventions and the European Union treaties, in particu-
lar Article 6 EU, by censoring Member States’ positions
when acting as a legislator.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and
of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ
L 145 of 31.5.2001, p. 43).