Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

C 200/38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 14.7.2001

for service in Luxembourg — appeal against the order of the (3) In the assessment of the distinctive character of a specific
Court of First Instance of the European Communities (Third colour as a trade mark, must account be taken of whether,
Chamber) of 11 July 2000 in Case T-268/99 Fédération with regard to that colour, there is a general interest in
Nationale d’Agriculture Biologique des Régions de France and availability, such as can exist in respect of signs which
Others v Council [1999] ECR II-2893, seeking to have that denote a geographical origin?
order set aside, the other party to the proceedings being
Council of the European Union (Agents F. Anton and (4) When considering the question whether a sign, for which
J. Monteiro), the Court (Fifth Chamber), composed of A. La registration as a trade mark is sought, possesses the
Pergola, President of the Chamber, M. Wathelet, D.A.O. Edward distinctive character referred to at the beginning of Article
(Rapporteur), S. von Bahr and C.W.A. Timmermans, Judges, 3(1) and in Article 3(1)(b) of the Directive, must the BMB
Advocate General: C. Stix-Hackl, R. Grass, Registrar, made an confine itself to an assessment _in abstracto_ of distinctive
order on 10 May 2001, the operative part of which is as character or must it take account of all the actual facts of
follows: the case, including the use made of the sign and the
manner in which the sign is used?
1. _The appeal is dismissed._

2. _It is unnecessary to give a decision on the applications for leave_
_to intervene._
( [1] ) OJ L 40 of 11.2.1989, p. 1.
3. _Fédération Nationale d’Agriculture Biologique des Régions de_
_France (FNAB), Syndicat Européen des Transformateurs et_
_Distributeurs de Produits de l’Agriculture Biologique (SETRAB)_
_and Est Distribution Biogam Sàrl are to pay the costs._

4. _CLESA SA, Danone SA and Compagnie Gervais Danone SA_
_are to bear their own costs._

( [1] ) OJ C 335 of 25.11.2000.

**Reference for a preliminary ruling by the Verwaltungsge-**
**richtshof by order of 29 March 2001 of that court in**
**the case of Cookies World Vertriebsges. m.b.H. i.L. v**
**Finanzlandesdirektion fur Tirol**

**Reference for a preliminary ruling by the Hoge Raad,**
**(Case C-155/01)**
**Netherlands, by order of that court of 23 February 2001**
**in the case of Libertel Groep B.V. against Benelux-**
**Merkenbureau**
(2001/C 200/70)

**(Case C-104/01)**
Reference has been made to the Court of Justice of the
(2001/C 200/69) European Communities by order of the Verwaltungsgerichtshof (Higher Administrative Court) of 29 March 2001, received
Reference has been made to the Court of Justice of the at the Court Registry on 11 April 2001, for a preliminary
European Communities by order of the Hoge Raad (High ruling in the case of Cookies World Vertriebsges. m.b.H. i.L. v
Court), Netherlands, of 23 February 2001, received at the Finanzlandesdirektion fur Tirol on the following question:
Court Registry on 5 March 2001, for a preliminary ruling in
the case of Libertel Groep B.V. against Benelux-Merkenbureau
on the following questions:
Is it compatible with the Sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC
(1) Is it possible for a single specific colour which is of 17 May 1977( [1] ) on the harmonisation of the laws of the
represented as such or is designated by an internationally Member States relating to turnover taxes — Common system
applied body of rules to acquire a distinctive character for of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment, in particular
certain goods or services within the meaning of the Articles 5 and 6 thereof, for a Member State to treat the
opening words of Article 3(1) and of Article 3(b) of following event as a taxable transaction: the incurring of
Council Directive 89/104/EEC of 21 December 1988( [1] )? expenditure relating to services supplied abroad that, if they
had been supplied within the national territory to the trader,
(2) If the answer to the first question is in the affirmative: would not entitle the trader to a deduction of input tax?

(a) in what circumstances may it be accepted that a
single specific colour possesses a distinctive character in the sense used above?
( [1] ) OJ 1977 L 145, p. 1.
(b) does it make any difference if registration is sought
for a wide range of goods and/or services, rather
than for a specific product or service, or category of
goods or services respectively?