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European Union
Libertel Groep BV v Benelux-Merkenbureau (C-104/01)
Judgment
The questions referred for a prelimina…
The first question and Question 2(a)
66

Libertel Groep BV v Benelux-Merkenbureau (C-104/01)

Judgment of 6 May 2003law://eu/cjeu/2001/c-104-01/para_66@2026-11-10

66In the case of a colour per se, distinctiveness without any prior use is inconceivable save in exceptional circumstances, and particularly where the number of goods or services for which the mark is claimed is very restricted and the relevant market very specific.

Source: EUR-Lex, © European Union, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Decision 2011/833/EU.

Key facts

Court: Court of Justice · Full Court
Case: C-104/01 · ECLI:EU:C:2003:244
Decided: 6 May 2003
Procedure: Preliminary reference
Applicant: Libertei Groep BV
Defendant: Benelux-Merkenbureau
Rapporteur: J.N. Cunha Rodrigues
Advocate General: P. Léger
Bench: 8 judges
M. Wathelet, C.W.A. Timmermans, C. Gulmann, D.A.O. Edward, P. Jann, F. Macken, S. von Bahr, J.N. Cunha Rodrigues
Language: Dutch
Official: CURIA · EUR-Lex 62001CJ0104

Topics

Approximation of laws System of property ownership

History · 1 version

6 May 2003Reading

Connections

Interprets 1: First Council Directive 89/104/EEC of 21 December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks
Cited by 24: OMV AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-38/24); Visable v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-323/24); Lotus Bakeries v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-1096/23); Chiquita Brands LLC v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-426/23); Väderstad Holding AB v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-361/23); August Storck KG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-568/23); Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-652/22); BIW Invest AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-747/22); BIW Invest AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-746/22); bet365 Group Ltd v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-764/22); Groz-Beckert KG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-277/22); Groz-Beckert KG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-276/22); Worldwide Brands, Inc. Zweigniederlassung Deutschland and Guangdong Camel Apparel Co. Ltd v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-562/21); Lemken GmbH & Co. KG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-621/21); Magnetec GmbH v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-168/21); Daimler AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-278/21); Daimler AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-279/21); Daimler AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-277/21); Daimler AG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-280/21); Pluscard Service-Gesellschaft für Kreditkarten-Processing mbH v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-669/20); Hasbro, Inc. v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-663/19); Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-193/18); CEDC International sp. z o.o. v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-796/16)2 provisions; Glaxo Group Ltd v European Union Intellectual Property Office (T-187/19)
Cites 13: Lloyd Schuhfabrik Meyer & Co. GmbH v Klijsen Handel BV (C-342/97); First Council Directive 89/104/EEC of 21 December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks; Merz & Krell GmbH & Co. (C-517/99); Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV v Remington Consumer Products Ltd (C-299/99); Windsurfing Chiemsee Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH (WSC) v Boots- und Segelzubehör Walter Huber and Franz Attenberger (C-108/97, C-109/97); Ralf Sieckmann v Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt (C-273/00); Linde AG, Winward Industries Inc. and Rado Uhren AG (C-53/01, C-54/01, C-55/01); Canon Kabushiki Kaisha v Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., formerly Pathe Communications Corporation (C-39/97); LTJ Diffusion SA v Sadas Vertbaudet SA (C-291/00); SA CNL-SUCAL NV v HAG GF AG (C-10/89); Bayerische Motorenwerke AG (BMW) and BMW Nederland BV v Ronald Karel Deenik (C-63/97); Administrative proceedings brought by VAG Sverige AB (C-329/95); The Queen v Immigration Appeal Tribunal, ex parte Gustaff Desiderius Antonissen (C-292/89)