Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 2.12.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 294/23 |

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Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden, lodged on 12 September 2006 — Benetton Group SpA v G-Star International B.V.

(Case C-371/06)

(2006/C 294/41)

Language of the case: Dutch

Referring court

Hoge Raad der Nederlanden

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Benetton Group SpA

Defendant: G-Star International B.V.

Questions referred

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| (1) | Must Article 3(1)(e), first indent[(1)](#ntr1-C_2006294EN.01002302-E0001), be interpreted as meaning that the prohibition contained therein permanently precludes the registration of a shape as a trade mark where the nature of the product is such that its appearance and shaping determine its market value entirely or substantially as a result of their beauty or original character, or does the prohibition not apply where, prior to the application for registration, the attractiveness of the relevant shape to the public has been determined predominantly by the recognition of it as a distinctive sign? |

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| (2) | If the answer to Question 1 is to the latter effect, to what extent must this attractiveness have prevailed for the prohibition no longer to apply? |

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