2.8.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 197/2

Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof (Germany) lodged on 20 March 2008 — Bayerischer Brauerbund e.V. v Bavaria N.V.

(Case C-120/08)

(2008/C 197/02)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Bundesgerichtshof

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Bayerischer Brauerbund e.V.

Defendant: Bavaria N.V.

Questions referred

1.

The following questions are referred to the Court of Justice of the European Communities for a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 of 20 March 2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (1). Does Article 14(1) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 apply in the case where the protected indication has been validly registered in accordance with the simplified procedure under Article 17 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs (2)?

2.

(a)

If the answer to Question 1 is in the affirmative, what date should be taken as the basis for determining the classification in time of the protected geographical indication within the meaning of Article 14(1) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006?

(b)

If the answer to Question 1 is in the negative, what provision governs the conflict between a geographical indication validly registered in accordance with the simplified procedure under Article 17 of Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 and a trade mark, and what determines the classification in time of the protected geographical indication?

3.

May the national provisions on the protection of geographical designations be applied in the case where the indication ‘Bayerisches Bier’ fulfils the conditions for registration (3) under Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 and Regulation (EC) No 510/2006, but Regulation (EC) No 1347/2001 is invalid?

(1)  OJ 2006 L 93, p. 12.

(2)  OJ 1992 L 208, p. 1.

(3)  OJ 1992 L 182, p. 3.

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