Schwibbert (Intellectual property) [2007] EUECJ C-20/05 (08 November 2007)

Schwibbert (Intellectual property) [2007] EUECJ C-20/05 (08 November 2007)

National provisions imposing the obligation to affix the SIAE mark to CDs, introduced after the implementation of Directive 83/189/EEC, constitute a technical regulation under Directive 98/34/EC and, if not notified to the Commission, cannot be invoked against individuals.

Citation
[2007] EUECJ C-20/05
Parties
Defendant: Mr Schwibbert; Prosecutor: Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale civile e penale di Forlì; Interested Party: Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori; Intervenor: Italian Government; Intervenor: European Commission
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
08 November 2007
Procedural Posture
Criminal Proceedings / Reference for Preliminary Ruling
Outcome
Reference admissible only as regards Directive 98/34/EC; national technical regulation unenforceable if not notified.
Legal Topics
Technical Regulations, Copyright, Free Movement of Goods, Notification Obligations, Labelling Requirements
European Union Law Intellectual Property Law Criminal Law Technical Regulations Copyright Free Movement of Goods Notification Obligations Labelling Requirements

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Parties

Mr Schwibbert

Defendant

Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale civile e penale di Forlì

Prosecutor

Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori

Interested Party

Italian Government

Intervenor

European Commission

Intervenor

Procedural Posture

Criminal Proceedings / Reference for Preliminary Ruling

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether national provisions requiring the affixing of the SIAE mark to CDs constitute a technical regulation under Directive 98/34/EC
  2. 2 Whether such technical regulations, if not notified to the Commission, are enforceable against individuals

Ratio Decidendi

National provisions imposing the obligation to affix the SIAE mark to CDs, introduced after the implementation of Directive 83/189/EEC, constitute a technical regulation under Directive 98/34/EC and, if not notified to the Commission, cannot be invoked against individuals.

Court Disposition

Reference admissible only as regards Directive 98/34/EC; national technical regulation unenforceable if not notified.

Orders

  • Directive 98/34/EC must be interpreted as meaning that national provisions requiring the SIAE mark on CDs constitute a technical regulation which, if not notified to the Commission, cannot be invoked against individuals.
  • Decision on costs is a matter for the national court.