Commission Regulation (EC) No 2082/2004 of 6 December 2004 amending Regulation (EC) No 216/96 laying down the rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs)

7.12.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 360/8
COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2082/2004
of 6 December 2004
amending Regulation (EC) No 216/96 laying down the rules of procedure of the Boards of Appeal of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 1993 on the Community trade mark (1), and in particular Article 157(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 422/2004 amended Regulation (EC) No 40/94 with regard, inter alia, to the organisation and procedures of the Boards of Appeal provided for in Articles 130 and 131.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 422/2004 introduced, inter alia, the new post of President of the Boards of Appeal, created an enlarged Board of Appeal and laid down that, under certain conditions, decisions of the Boards of Appeal may be taken by a single member. It is therefore necessary to set out in detail the powers of the President of the Boards of Appeal, the composition and powers of the Boards of Appeal, the allocation of cases to the Boards of Appeal and the composition of the enlarged Board, cases to be referred to the enlarged Board and cases to be decided by a single member.
(3) The practical operation of the Boards of Appeal has shown the need to make certain changes to their organisation and procedures, including changes to the role of the Registry and certain procedural aspects. Centralisation of the Registry and revision of its powers, and rules on exchanges of submissions between parties, are designed to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of cases by the Boards of Appeal. In order not to interfere with proceedings already pending when this Regulation enters into force, a transitional period must be provided for with respect to the exchange of submissions by the parties.
(4) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on fees, Implementation Rules and the Procedure of the Boards of Appeal of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (trade mark and designs),