Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 11.6.2011 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 173/4 |

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Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundespatentgericht (Germany) lodged on 25 February 2011 — Securvita Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung alternativer Versicherungskonzepte mbH v Öko-Invest Verlagsgesellschaft mbH; Other party: Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt

(Case C-91/11)

2011/C 173/06

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Bundespatentgericht

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Securvita Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung alternativer Versicherungskonzepte mbH

Defendant: Öko-Invest Verlagsgesellschaft mbH

Other party: Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt

Question referred

Is the ground for refusal under Article 3(1)(b) and/or (c) of Directive 2008/95/EG[(1)](#ntr1-C_2011173EN.01000401-E0001) also applicable to a word sign which consists of a letter sequence which is non-descriptive — when considered on its own — and a descriptive word combination, 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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