Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 11.6.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 173/3 |

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Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundespatentgericht (Germany) lodged on 25 February 2011 — Alfred Strigl v Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt

(Case C-90/11)

2011/C 173/05

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Bundespatentgericht

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Alfred Strigl

Defendant: Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt

Question referred

Is the ground for refusal under Article 3(1)(b) and/or (c) of Directive 2008/95/EC[(1)](#ntr1-C_2011173EN.01000302-E0001) also applicable to a word sign which consists of a descriptive word combination and a non descriptive letter sequence, if the trade perceives the letter sequence as an abbreviation of the descriptive words because it reproduces their initial letters, and the trade mark as a whole can thus be construed as a combination of mutually explanatory descriptive indications or abbreviations?

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