Pie Optiek SPRL v Bureau Gevers SA [2012] EUECJ C-376/11 (19 July 2012)

Pie Optiek SPRL v Bureau Gevers SA [2012] EUECJ C-376/11 (19 July 2012)

A person authorised solely to register a domain name in their own name but on behalf of a trade mark proprietor, without authorisation to use the trade mark commercially in a manner consistent with its functions, is not a 'licensee of prior rights' under Article 12(2) of Regulation No 874/2004.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2012] EUECJ C-376/11
Parties
Applicant: Pie Optiek SPRL; Respondent: Bureau Gevers SA; Respondent: European Registry for Internet Domains ASBL (EURid)
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
19 July 2012
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Ruling Reference / Court of Justice of the European Union (second Chamber)
Outcome
Reference answered; Article 12(2) of Regulation No 874/2004 interpreted as excluding persons authorised solely to register a domain name on behalf of a trade mark proprietor from the definition of 'licensees of prior rights'.
Legal Topics
Domain Names, Trade Marks, Licensing, .eu Top Level Domain, Prior Rights, Speculative and Abusive Registration
European Union Law Intellectual Property Law Domain Names Trade Marks Licensing .eu Top Level Domain Prior Rights Speculative and Abusive Registration

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Parties

Pie Optiek SPRL

Applicant

Bureau Gevers SA

Respondent

European Registry for Internet Domains ASBL (EURid)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Ruling Reference / Court of Justice of the European Union (second Chamber)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Interpretation of 'licensees of prior rights' under Article 12(2) of Regulation No 874/2004 in the context of trade mark rights and .eu domain registration
  2. 2 Whether a person authorised solely to register a domain name on behalf of a trade mark proprietor qualifies as a licensee of prior rights

Ratio Decidendi

A person authorised solely to register a domain name in their own name but on behalf of a trade mark proprietor, without authorisation to use the trade mark commercially in a manner consistent with its functions, is not a 'licensee of prior rights' under Article 12(2) of Regulation No 874/2004.

Court Disposition

Reference answered; Article 12(2) of Regulation No 874/2004 interpreted as excluding persons authorised solely to register a domain name on behalf of a trade mark proprietor from the definition of 'licensees of prior rights'.