Ryanair (Judgment) [2015] EUECJ C-30/14 (15 January 2015)

Ryanair (Judgment) [2015] EUECJ C-30/14 (15 January 2015)

Directive 96/9/EC does not apply to databases not protected by copyright or sui generis right; thus, Articles 6(1), 8, and 15 do not prevent the author from imposing contractual limitations on use by third parties, subject to national law.

Citation
[2015] EUECJ C-30/14
Parties
Applicant: Ryanair Ltd; Respondent: PR Aviation BV
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
15 January 2015
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Ruling / Referral From National Court
Outcome
Directive 96/9/EC is not applicable to databases not protected by copyright or sui generis right; contractual limitations on use are permitted, subject to national law.
Legal Topics
Database Protection, Copyright, Sui Generis Right, Contractual Limitations
Intellectual Property Contract Law European Union Law Database Protection Copyright Sui Generis Right Contractual Limitations

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Parties

Ryanair Ltd

Applicant

PR Aviation BV

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Ruling / Referral From National Court

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Does Directive 96/9/EC apply to databases not protected by copyright or sui generis right?
  2. 2 Can contractual limitations be imposed on the use of such databases?

Ratio Decidendi

Directive 96/9/EC does not apply to databases not protected by copyright or sui generis right; thus, Articles 6(1), 8, and 15 do not prevent the author from imposing contractual limitations on use by third parties, subject to national law.

Court Disposition

Directive 96/9/EC is not applicable to databases not protected by copyright or sui generis right; contractual limitations on use are permitted, subject to national law.

Orders

  • Directive 96/9/EC does not preclude contractual limitations for such databases.
  • Costs are a matter for the national court.