Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 62001J0023

**Judgment of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 21 November 2002. - Robelco NV v Robeco Groep NV. - Reference for a preliminary ruling: Hof van Beroep te Brussel - Belgium. - Directive 89/104/EEC - Article 5(5) - Provisions on protection against use of a sign other than for the purposes of distinguishing goods or services - Extent of such protection - Signs similar to the mark. - Case C-23/01.** 
  
*European Court reports 2002 Page I-10913*

  

[Parties](#I1)  
[Grounds](#MO)  
[Decision on costs](#CO)  
[Operative part](#DI)

## Parties

  
*In Case C-23/01,

REFERENCE to the Court under Article 234 EC by the Hof van Beroep te Brussel (Belgium) for a preliminary ruling in the proceedings pending before that court between

Robelco NV

and

Robeco Groep NV

on the interpretation of Article 5(5) of First Council Directive 89/104/EEC of 21 December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks (OJ 1989 L 40, p. 1),

THE COURT

(Sixth Chamber),

composed of: R. Schintgen, President of the Second Chamber, acting for the President of the Sixth Chamber, V. Skouris, F. Macken (Rapporteur), N. Colneric and J.N. Cunha Rodrigues, Judges,

Advocate General: D. Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer,

Registrar: L. Hewlett, Principal Administrator,

after considering the written observations submitted on behalf of:

- Robelco NV, by J. Stuyck, advocaat,

- Robeco Groep NV, by P. Péters, advocaat,

- the Netherlands Government, by H.G. Sevenster, acting as Agent,

- the Commission of the European Communities, by K. Banks and H.M.H. Speyart, acting as Agents,

having regard to the Report for the Hearing,

after hearing the oral observations of Robelco NV, Robeco Groep NV and the Commission at the hearing on 5 March 2002,

after hearing the Opinion of the Advocate General at the sitting on 21 March 2002,

gives the following

Judgment*

## Grounds

[Top](#document1)