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FIRST COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 21 December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks (89/104/EEC)
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L-ewwel Direttiva tal-Kunsill
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tal-21 ta’ Diċembru,
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THE COUNCIL Of THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
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1988 biex jiġu approssimati l-liġijiet ta’ l-Istati Membri dwar it-trade marks
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Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article l00a thereof,
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(89/104/KEE)
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Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
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IL-KUNSILL TAL- KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ,
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In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
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Wara li kkunsidra it-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ekonomika Ewropea, u b’mod partikolari l-Artikolu 100a tiegħu,
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Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
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Wara li kkunsidra il-proposta mill-Kummissjoni [1],
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Whereas the trade mark laws at present applicable in the Member States contain disparities which may impede the free movement of goods and freedom to provide services and may distort competition within the common market; whereas it is therefore necessary, in view of the establishment and functioning of the internmal market, to approximate the laws of Member States;
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B’ koperazzjoni mal-Parlament Ewropew [2],
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Whereas it is important not to disregard the solutions and advantages which the Community trade mark system may afford to undertakings wishing to acquire trade marks;
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Wara li kkunsidra l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat Ekonomiku u Soċjali [3],
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Whereas it does not appear to be necessary at present to undertake full-scale approximation of the trade mark laws of the Member States and it will be sufficient if approximation is limited to those national provisions of law which most directly affect the functioning of the internal market;
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Billi l-liġijiet dwar it-trade marks applikabbli fil-preżent fl-Istati Membri fihom disparitajiet li jistgħu jfixklu l-moviment liberu tal-merkanzija u l-libertà li jiġu pprovduti servizzi u jistgħu jgħawġu l-kompetizzjoni fis-suq komuni; billi huwa għalhekk neċessarju, minħabba l-istabbiliment u l-funzjonament tas-suq intern, li jiġu approssimati l-liġijiet ta’ l-Istati Membri;
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Whereas the Directive does not deprive the Member States of the right to continue to protect trademarks acquired through use but takes them into account only in regard to the relationship between them and trade marks acquired by registration;
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Billi huwa importanti li ma jkunux injorati s-soluzzjonijiet u l-vantaġġi li s-sistema tat-trade marks tal-Komunità tistà tippermetti lill-impriżi li jixtiequ jiksbu trade marks;
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Whereas Member States also remain free to fix the provisions of procedure concerning the registration, the revocation and the invalidity of trade marks acquired by registration; whereas they can, for example, determine the form of trade mark registration and invalidity procedures, decide whether earlier rights should be invoked either in the registration procedure or in the invalidity procedure or in both and, if they allow earlier rights to be invoked in the registration procedure, have an opposition procedure or an ex officio examination procedure or both; whereas Member States remain free to determine the effects of revocation or invalidity of trade marks;
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Billi ma jidhirx li hu neċessarju preżentement ssir approssimazzjoni kompleta tal-liġijiet tat-trade marks ta’ l-Istati Membri u jkun biżżejjed jekk l-approssimazzjoni hi limitata għal dawk id-disposizzjonijiet nazzjonali tal-liġi li l-aktar direttament jaffettwaw il-funzjonament tas-suq intern;
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Whereas this Directive does not exclude the application to trade marks of provisions of law of the Member States other than trade mark law, such as the provisions relating to unfair competition, civil liability or consumer protection;
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Billi d-Direttiva ma tneħħix mill-Istati Membri d-dritt li jkomplu jipproteġu t-trademarks miksuba permezz ta’ użu imma tikkunsidrahom biss fejn għandha x’taqsam ir-relazzjoni bejniethom u t-trade marks miksuba mir-reġistrazzjoni;
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Whereas attainment of the objectives at which this approximation of laws is aiming requires that the conditions for obtaining and continuing to hold a registered trade mark are, in general, identical in all Member States; whereas, to this end, it is necessary to list examples of signs which may constitute a trade mark, provided that such signs are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of othrefusal or invalidity concemning the trade mark itself, for example, the absence of any distinctive character, or concerning conflicts between the trade mark and earlier rights, are to be listed in an exhaustive manner, even if some of these grounds are listed as an option for the Member States which will therefore be able to maintain or introduce those grounds in their legislation; whereas Member States will be able to maintain or introduce into their legislation grounds of refusal or invalidity linked to conditions for obtaining and continning to hold a trade mark for which there is no provision of approximation, concerning, for example, the eligibility for the grant of a trade mark, the renewal of the trade mark or rules on fees, or related to the non-compliance with procedural rules;
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Billi l-Istati Membri jibqgħu wkoll liberi li jiffissaw id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ proċedura dwar ir-reġistrazzjoni, ir-revokazzjoni u l-invalidità tat-trade marks miksuba mir-reġistrazzjoni; billi jistgħu, per eżempju, jiddeterminaw il-forma tar reġistrazzjoni tat-trade marks u proċeduri ta’ invalidità, jiddeċiedu jekk drittijiet preċedenti għandhomx ikunu invokati jew għall-proċedura tar-reġistrazzjoni jew għall-proċedura ta’ invalidità jew għat-tnejn u, jekk jippermettu li drittijiet preċedenti jkunu invokati fil-proċedura tar-reġistrazzjoni, li jkollhom proċedura ta’ opposizzjoni jew eżami ex-uffiċio jew it-tnejn; billi l-Istati membri jibqgħu liberi li jiddeterminaw l-effetti tar-revokazzjoni jew invalidità tat-trade marks;
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Whereas in order to reduce the total number of trade marks registered and protected in the Community and, consequently, the number of conflicts which arise between them, it is essential to require that registered trade marks must actually be used or, if not used, be subject to revocation; whereas it is necessary to provide that a trade mark cannot be invalidated on the basis of the existence of a non-used earlier trade mark, while the Member States remain free to apply the same principle in respect of the registration of a trade mark or to provide that a trade mark may not be successfully invoked in infringement proceedings if it is established as a result of a plea that the trade mark could be revoked; whereas in all these cases it is up to the Member States to establish the applicable rules of procedure;
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Billi din id-Direttiva ma teskludix l-applikazzjoni għal trade marks ta’ disposizzjonijiet tal-liġi ta’ l-Istati Membri barra mil-liġi tat-trade marks, bħad-disposizzjonijiet dwar il-kompetizzjoni inġusta, ir-responsabbiltà ċivili u l-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur;
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Whereas it is fundamental, in order to facilitate the free circulation of goods and services, to ensure that henceforth registered trade marks enjoy the same protection under the legal systems of all the Member States; whereas this should however not prevent the Member States from granting at their option extensive protection to those trade marks which have a reputation;
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Billi l-ksib ta’ l-merkanzija li din l-approssimazzjoni tal-liġijiet qed taspira għalihom tirrikjedi li l-kondizzjonijiet għall-kisba u ż-żamma ta’ trade mark irreġistrata huma, ġeneralment identiċi fl-Istati Membri kollha; billi, għal dan l-iskop, huwa neċessarju li jkunu elenkati eżempji ta’ sinjali li jistgħu jikkostitwixxu trade mark, dejjem jekk tali sinjali huma kapaċi li jiddistingwu l-merkanzija jew is-servizzi ta’ impriża waħda minn dawk ta’ impriżi oħra; billi r-raġunijiet għal rifjut jew invalidità li jikkonċernaw it-trade mark nnifisha, per eżempju, in-nuqqas ta’ kwalunkwe karattru distint, jew li jirrigwarda konflitti bejn it-trade mark u d-drittijiet ta’ preċedenti, għandhom ikunu elenkati b’mod komplet, anke jekk ftit minn dawn ir-raġunijiet huma elenkati bħala għażla għall-Istati Membri li jkunu jistgħu għalhekk iżommu jew jintroduċu dawk ir-raġunijiet fil-leġislazzjoni tagħhom; billi l-Istati Membri jkunu jistgħu jżommu jew jintroduċu fil-leġislazzjoni tagħhom raġunijiet għal rifjut jew invalidità b’konnessjoni mal-kondizzjonijiet għall-kisba u ż-żamma ta’ trade mark li għalihom ma hemm l-ebda disposizzjoni ta’ approssimazzjoni, dwar, per eżempju, l-eliġibilità għall-għotja ta’ trade mark; it-tiġdid tat-trade mark jew ir-regoli dwar il-miżati, jew li għandhom x’jaqsmu man-nuqqas ta’ ħarsien tar-regoli ta’ proċedura;
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Whereas the protection afforded by the registered trade mark, the function of which is in particular to guarantee the trade mark as an indication of origin, is absolute in the case of identity between the mark and the sign and goods or services; whereas the protection applies also in case of similarity between the mark and the sign and the goods or services; whereas it is indispensable to give an interpretation of the concept of similarity in relation to the likelihood of confusion; whereas the likelihood of confusion, the appreciation of which depends on numerous elements and, in particular, on the recognition of the trade mark on the market, of the association which can be made with the used or registered sign, of the degree of similarity between the trade mark and the sign and between the goods or services identified, constitutes the specific condition for such protection; whereas the ways in which likelihood of confusion may be established, and in particular the onus of proof, are a matter for national Procedural rules which are not prejudiced by the Directive;
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Billi sabiex ikun imnaqqas t-total tan-numru tat-trade marks irreġistrati u protetti fil-Komunità u, konsegwentement, in-numru ta’ konflitti li jqumu bejniethom, huwa essenzjali li jiġi meħtieġ li trade marks għandhom ikunu fil-fatt użati, jew jekk mhux użati, ikunu suġġetti għal revokazzjoni, billi huwa neċessarju li jkun ipprovdut li trade mark ma tistax tkun invalidata abbażi ta’ l-eżistenza ta’ trade mark preċedenti mhux użata, filwaqt li l-Istati Membri jibqgħu liberi li japplikaw l-istess prinċipju għar-reġistrazzjoni ta’ trade mark jew li jipprovdu li trade mark ma’ tistax tkun invokata b’suċċess fi proċeduri ta’ ksur tar-regoli jekk ikun stabbilit bħala riżultat ta’ talba li t-trade mark tista’ tiġi revokata; billi f’dawn il-każijiet huwa f’idejn l-Istati Membri li jistabbilixxu r-regoli tal-proċedura applikabbli;
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Whereas it is important, for reasons of legal certainty and without inequitably prejudicing the interests of a proprietor of an earlier trade mark, to Provide that the latter may no longer request a declaration of invalidity nor may he oppose the use of a trade mark subsequent to his own of which he has knowingly tolerated the use for a substantial length of time, unless the application for the subsequent trade mark was made in bad faith:
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Billi huwa fundamentali, sabiex tkun iffaċilitata ċ-ċirkolazzjoni libera ta’ merkanzija u servizzi, li jkun żgurat li minn issa ’l quddiem trade marks irreġistrati jgawdu l-istess protezzjoni taħt is-sistemi legali ta’ l-Istati Membri kollha; billi dan m’għandux għalfejn iżżomm l-Istati Membri milli jagħtu fuq għażla tagħhom protezzjoni estensiva lil dawk it-trade marks li għandhom reputazzjoni;
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Whereas all Member States of the Community are bound by the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property; whereas it is necessary that the provisions of this Directive are entirely consistent with those of the Paris Convention; whereas the obligations of the Member States resulting from this Convention are not affected by this Directive; whereas, where appropriate, the second subparagraph of Article 234 of the Treaty is applicable,
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Billi l-protezzjoni mogħtija lit-trade marks registrati, li l-funzjoni tagħhom hi partikolarment li jiggarantixxu t-trade mark bhala indikazzjoni ta’ oriġini, hi assoluta fil-każ ta’ identità bejn il-marka u s-sinjal u l-merkanzija jew is-servizzi; billi l-protezzjoni tapplika wkoll f’każ ta’ xebħ bejn il-marka u l-merkanzija jew is-servizzi; billi hu indispensabbli li tingħata interpretazzjoni tal-kunċett ta’ xebħ fir-rigward tal-possibbiltà li jkun hemm konfużjoni; billi l-possibbiltà li jkun hemm konfużjoni, li l-apprezzament tagħha jiddependi fuq ħafna elementi u, partikolarment fuq ir-rikonoxximent tat-trade mark fis-suq, ta’ l-assoċjazzjoni li tista’ ssir bis-sinjal użat jew registrat, tal-grad ta’ xebħ bejn it-trade mark u s-sinjal u bejn il-merkanzija jew is-servizzi identifikati, tikkostitwixxi l-kondizzjoni specifika għal tali protezzjoni; billi l-metodi għall-istabbiliment tal-possibbiltà ta’ konfużjoni u partikolarment l-onus tal-prova, huma kwistjoni għar-regolamenti ta’ proċedura nazzjonali li ma humiex preġudikati bid-Direttiva.
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HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
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Billi huwa importanti għal raġunijiet ta’ ċertezza legali u mingħajr preġudizzju inekwitabbli ta’ l-interessi ta’ proprjetarju ta’ trade mark preċedenti, li jkun stipulat li dan ta’ l-aħħar ma jistax jitlob aktar dikjarazzjoni ta’ invalidità u l-anqas ma jista’ jopponi l-użu ta’ trade mark li tiġi wara tiegħu u li hu koxjentement ittollera l-użu tagħha għal tul ta’ żmien sostanzjali, jekk l-applikazzjoni għat-trade mark sussegwenti ma tkunx saret in mala fede.
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Billi l-Istati Membri kollha tal-Komunità huma marbuta mill-Konvenzjoni ta’ Pariġi għall-protezzjoni tal-propjetà industrijali; billi huwa neċessarju li d-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din id-Direttiva huma għal kollox konsistenti ma’ dawk tal-Konvenzjoni ta’ Pariġi; billi l-obbligazzjonijiet ta’ l-Istati Membri li jirriżultaw minn din il-Konvenzjoni ma jintlaqtux minn din id-Direttiva; billi fejn xieraq, it-tieni subparagrafu ta’ l-Artikolu 234 tat-Trattat huma applikabbli,
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ADOTTA DIN ID-DIRETTIVA:
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Article 1
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Artikolu 1
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Scope
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Kamp ta’ applikazzjoni
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This Directive shall apply to every trade mark in respect of goods or services which is the subject of registration or of an application in a Member State for registration as an individual trade mark, a collective mark or a guarantee or certification mark, or which is the subject of a registration or an application for registration in the Benelux Trade Mark Office or of an international registration having effect in a Member State.
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Din id-Direttiva għandha tapplika għal kwalunkwe trade mark fir-rigward ta’ merkanzija jew servizzi li huma s-suġġett tar-reġistrazzjoni jew ta’ l-applikazzjoni fi Stat Membru għar-reġistrazzjoni bħala trade mark individwali, marka kollettiva jew garanzija jew marka ta’ ċertifikazzjoni, jew li hi s-suġġett tar-reġistrazzjoni jew applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni fl-Uffiċċju tat-Trade Marks ta’ Benelux jew tar-reġistrazzjoni internazzjonali li għandha effett fi Stat Membru.
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Artikolu 2
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Article 2
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Sinjali li trade mark jistgħu jikkonsistu minnhom
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Signs of which a trade mark may consist
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Trade mark tista’ tikkonsisti minn xi sinjal li jista’ jiġi magħmul grafikament, b’mod partikolari bi kliem li jinkludu ismijiet personali, disinn, ittri, numri, l-għamla tal-merkanzija jew l-imballaġġ tagħhom, basta li tali sinjali jistgħu jiddistingwu l-merkanzija jew is-servizzi ta’ impriża waħda minn dawk ta’ impriżi oħra.
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A trade mark may consist of any sign capable of being represented graphically, particularly words, including personal names, designs, letters, numerals, the shape of goods or of their packaging, provided that such signs are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings.
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Artikolu 3
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Raġunijiet għar-rifjut jew invalidità
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Article 3
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1. Is-segwenti m’għandhomx jiġu reġistrati jew jekk reġistrati għandhom ikunu suġġetti li jiġu dikjarati invalidi:
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Grounds for refusal or invalidity
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(a) sinjali li ma jistgħux jikkostitwixxu trade mark;
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1. he following shall not be registered or if registered shall be liable to be declared invalid:
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(b) trade marks li ma għandhom l-ebda karatteristika distintiva;
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(a) signs which cannot constitute a trade mark;
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(ċ) trade marks li jikkonsistu esklussivament f’sinjali jew indikazzjonijiet li jistgħu jservu, fil-kummerċ biex jiddisinjaw it-tip, kwalità, kwantità, skop intiż, valur, oriġini ġeografika, jew iż-żmien ta’ produzzjoni ta’ l-merkanzija jew li jagħtu s-servizz, jew karatteristiċi oħra ta’ l-merkanzija jew tas-servizz
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(b) trade marks which are devoid of any distinctive character;
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(d) tat-trade marks li jikkonsistu esklussivament minn sinjali jew indikazzjonijiet li saru konswetudinarji fil-lingwa korrenti jew fil-bona fide prattiċi stabbiliti tal-kummerċ;
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(c) trade marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which may serve, in trade, to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, or the time of production of the goods or of rendering of the service, or other characteristics of the goods o(d) trade marks which consist exclusively of signs or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade;
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(e) sinjali li jikkonsistu esklussivament minn:
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(e) signs which consist exclusively of:
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- l-għamla li tirriżulta min-natura tal-merkanzija nnifishom, jew
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- the shape which results from the nature of the goods themselves, or
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- l-għamla ta’ l-merkanzija li hi neċessarja biex jiġi ottenut riżultat tekniku, jew
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- the shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result, or
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- l-għamla li tagħti valur sostanzjali lill-merkanzija;
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- the shape which gives substantial value to the goods;
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(f) trade marks li huma kuntrarji għall-politika pubblika jew prinċipji aċċettati ta’ moralità;
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(f) trade marks which are contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality;
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(g) trade marks li huma ta’ tali natura li jqarrqu l-pubbliku, per eżempju dwar in-natura, kwalità jew oriġini ġeografika ta’ l-merkanzija jew servizz;
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(g) trade marks which are of such a nature as to deceive the public, for instance as to the nature, quality or geographicai origin of the goods or service;
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(h) trade marks li ma ġewx awtorizzati mill-awtoritajiet kompetenti u għandhom ikunu rifjutati jew invalidati skond l-Artikolu 6 ter tal-Konvenzjoni ta’ Pariġi għall-Protezzjoni ta’ Propjetà Industrijali, minn issa ’l quddiem magħrufa bħala "Konvenzjoni ta’ Pariġi".
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(h) trade marks which have not been authorized by the competent authorities and are to be refused or invalidated pursuant to Article 6 ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, hereinafter referred to as the 'Paris Convention'.
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2. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ jistabbilixxi li trade mark ma’ tiġix irreġistrata jew, jekk irreġistrata, għandha tkun suġġetta li tiġi ddikjarata invalida u sakemm:
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2. Any Member State may provide that a trade mark shall not be registered or, if registered, shall be liable to be declared invalid where and to the extent that:
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(a) l-użu tat-trade mark jista’ jkun ipprojbit skond id-disposizzjonijiet tal-liġi barra l-liġi tat-trade marks ta’ l-Istat Membru konċernat jew tal-Komunità;
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(a) the use of that trade mark may be prohibited pursuant to provisions of law other than trade mark law of the Member State concerned or of the Community;
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(b) t-trade mark tkopri sinjal ta’ valur simboliku kbir, b’mod partikolari simbolu reliġjuż;
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(b) the trade mark covers a sign of high symbolic value, in particul.ar a religious symbol;
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(ċ) t-trade mark tinkludi għeliem, emblemi u tarki bl-arma tar-razza barra minn dawk koperti minn l-Artikolu 6 ter tal-Konvenzjoni ta’ Pariġi li huma ta’ interess pubbliku, sakemm jigi mogħti l-kunsens ta’ l-awtoritajiet approprijati għar-reġistrazzjoni tagħha in konformità mal-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-Istati Membri;
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(c) the trade mark includes badges, emblems and escutcheons other than those coved by Article 6 ter of the Paris Convention and which are of Public interest, unless the consent of the appropriate authorities to its registration has been given in conformity with the legislation of the Member State;
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(d) l-applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark ġiet magħmula in mala fede mill-applikant.
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(d) the application for registration of the trade mark was made in bad faith by the applicant.
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3. Trade mark ma għandhiex tkun rifjutata reġistrazzjoni jew tkun dikjarata invalida skond l-paragrafu 1 (b) (ċ) jew (d) jekk, qabel id-data ta’ l-applikazzjoni għar- reġistrazzjoni u wara l-użu magħmul minnha, hi akkwistat ħadet karattru distintiv. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ barra minn dan jistabbilixxi li din id-dispożizzjoni għandha tapplika wkoll fejn il-karatteristika distintiva kienet akkwistata wara d-data ta’ l-applikazzjoni tar-reġistrazzjoni jew wara d-data tar-reġistrazzjoni.
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3. A trade mark shall not be refused registration or be declared invalid in accordance with paragraph 1 (b), (c) or (d) if, before the date of application for registration and following the use which has been made of it, it has acquired a distinctive character. Any Member State may in addition provide that this provision shall also apply where the distinctive character was acquired after the date of application for registration or after the date of registration.
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4. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ jistabbilixxi li, permezz ta’ derogazzjoni mill-paragrafi preċedenti, ir-raġunijiet għal rifjut tar-reġistrazzjoni jew invalidità fis-seħħ f’dak l-Istat qabel id-data li fiha d-disposizzjonijiet neċessarji biex wieħed jaqbel ma’ din id-Direttiva jidħlu fis-seħħ, għandhom japplikaw għal trade marks li għalihom saret l-applikazzjoni qabel dik id-data.
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4. Any Member State may provide that, by derogation from the preceding paragraphs, the grounds of refusal of registration or invalidity in force in that State prior to the date on which the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive enter into force, shall apply to trade marks for which application has been made prior to that date.
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Artikolu 4
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Raġunijiet aktar għar-rifjut jew invalidità li tikkonċerna l-konflitti mad-drittijiet preċedenti
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Article 4
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1. Trade mark ma tiġix reġistrata jew, jekk reġistrata, għandha tkun suġġetta li tiġi dikjarata invalida:
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Further grounds for refusal or invalidity concerning conflicts with earlier rights
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(a) jekk hija identika għat-trade mark preċedenti, u l-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li għalihom t-trade mark hi applikata jew reġistrata huma identiċi għall-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li għalihom t-trade mark preċedenti hi protetta;
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1. A trade mark shall not be registered or, if registered, shall be liable to be declared invalid:
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(b) jekk minħabba l-identità tagħha ma’, jew xebħ mat-trade mark preċedenti u l-identità jew ix-xebħ tal-merkanzija jew is-servizzi koperti mit-trade marks, teżisti l-possibbiltà ta’ konfużjoni min-naħa tal-pubbliku, li tinkludi l-possibbiltà ta’ assoċjazzjoni mat-trade mark ta’ qabel.
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(a) if it is identical with an earlier trade mark, and the goods or services for which the trade mark is applied for or is registered are identical with the goods or services for which the earlier trade mark is protected;
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2. "Trade marks preċedenti" fis-sens tal-paragrafu 1 ifissru:
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(b) if because of its identity with, or similarity to,the earlier trade mark and the identity or similarity of the goods or services covered by the trade marks, there exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public, which includes the likelihood of association with the earlier trade mark.
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(a) trade marks tas-segwenti tipi b’data ta’ applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni li hija preċedenti mid-data ta’ l-applikazzjoni tar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark, tenut kont, fejn xieraq, tal-prijoritajiet pretiżi fuq dawk it-trade marks; (i) trade marks tal-Komunità;
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2. 'Earlier trade marks' within the meaning of paragraph 1 means:
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(ii) trade marks reġistrati fl-Istati Membri jew, fil-każ tal-Belġju, Lussemburgu jew l-Olanda, fl-Uffiċċju tat-Trade Marks tal-Benelux;
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(a) trade marks of the following kinds with a date of application for registration which is earlier than the date of application for registration of the trade mark, taking account, where appropriate, of the priorities claimed in respect of those trade marks; (i) Community trade marks;
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(iii) trade marks reġistrati taħt arranġamenti nternazzjonali li għandhom effett fl-Istat Membru;
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(ii) trade marks registered in the Member State or, in the case of Belgium, Luxembourg or the Netherlands, at the Benelux Trade Mark Office;
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(b) Trade marks tal-Komunità li validament għandhom pretenzjoni sinjorità, skond ir-Regolament fuq it-trade mark tal-Komunità, minn trade mark li hemm riferenza għaliha f’ (a) (ii) u (iii), anke jekk din it-trade mark ta’ l-aħħar ġiet ċeduta jew permessa li tiskadi;
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(iii) trade marks registered under international arrangements which have effect in the Member State;
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(ċ) applikazzjoniet għat-trade marks li hemm riferenza għalihom f’ (a) u (b), suġġetti għar- reġistrazzjoni;
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(b) Community trade marks which validly claim seniority, in accordance with the Regulation on the Community trade mark, from a trade mark referred to in (a) (ii) and (iii), even when the latter trade mark has been surrendered or allowed to lapse;
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(d) trade marks li, fid-data ta’ l-applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark, jew, fejn xieraq, tal-prijorità pretiża dwar l-applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark, huma magħrufa sew fi Stat Membru, fis-sens li fih il-kliem "magħrufa sew" huma użati fl-Artikolu 6 biss tal-Konvenzjoni ta’ Pariġi.
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(c) applications for the trade marks referred to in (a) and (b), subject to their registration;
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3. Minbarra dan, trade mark m’għandhiex tkun reġistrata jew, jekk reġistrata, għandha tkun suġġetta li tkun iddikjarata invalida jekk hija identika ma’, jew simili għal, trade mark tal-Komunità preċedenti fis-sens tat-tifsira tal-paragrafu 2 u għandha tkun, jew kienet, reġistrata għall-merkanzija jew s-servizzi li mhumiex simili għal dawk li għalihom it-trade mark tal-Komunità preċedenti hi reġistrata, fejn t-trade mark preċedenti tal-Komunità għandha reputazzjoni fil-Komunità u fejn l-użu tat-trade mark ta’ l-aħħar mingħajr raġuni valida tieħu vantaġġ mhux onest minnha, jew tkun ta’ detriment għall-kwalitajiet li jiddifferenzjaw jew ir-reputazzjoni tat-trade mark tal-Komunità preċedenti.
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(d) trade marks which, on the date of application for registration of the trade mark, or, where appropriate, of the priority claimed in respect of the application for registration of the trade mark, are well known in a Member State, in the sense in which the words 'well known' are used in Article 6 bis of the Paris Convention.
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4. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ wkoll jistabbilixxi li trade mark mhux għandha tiġi reġistrata jew, jekk reġistrata, għandha tkun suġġetta li tkun dikjarata invalida fejn, u sakemm li:
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3. A trade mark shall furthermore not be registered or, if registered, shall be liable to be declared invalid if it is identical with, or similar to, an earlier Community trade mark within the meaning of paragraph 2 and is to be, or has been, registered for goods or services which are not similar to those for which the earlier Community trade mark is registered, where the earlier Community trade mark has a reputation in the Community and where the use of the later trade mark without due cause would take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the distinctive character or the repute of the ea4. Any Member State may furthermore provide that a trade mark shall not be registered or, if registered, shall be liable to be declared invalid where, and to the extent that:
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(a) t-trade mark hija identika ma’, jew simili għal trade mark preċedenti nazzjonali fis-sens tat-tifsira tal-paragrafu 2 u għandha tkun, jew kienet, irreġistrata għall-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li mhumiex simili għal dawk li għalihom it-trade mark preċedenti hi reġistrata, fejn it-trade mark preċedenti għandha reputazzjoni fl-Istat Membru konċernat u fejn l-użu tat-trade mark ta’ l-aħħar mingħajr raġuni valida tieħu vantaġġ inġust mill-, jew tkun ta’ detriment għall-, kwalitajiet distintivi jew ir-reputazzjoni tat-trade mark preċedenti.
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(a) the trade mark is identical with, or similar to, an earlier national trade mark within the meaning of paragraph 2 and is to he, or has been, registered for goods or services which are not similar to those for which the earlier trade mark is registered, where the earlier trade mark has a reputation in the Member State concerned and where the use of the later trade mark without due cause would take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the distinctive character or che repute of the earlier trade mark;
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(b) xi drittijiet għat-trade mark mhux reġistrata jew għal simbolu ieħor użat matul il-kummerċ kienu miksuba qabel id-data ta’ l-applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark sussegwenti, jew id-data tal-prijorità pretiża għall-applikazzjoni tar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark sussegwenti u li trade mark mhux reġistrata jew simbolu ieħor jagħtu lil proprjetarju tagħha d-dritt li jipprojbixxi l-użu tat-trade mark sussegwenti;
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(b) rights to a non-registered trade mark or to another sign used in the course oftrade were acquired prior to the date of application for registration of the subsequent trade mark, or the date of the priority claimed for the application for registration of the subsequent trade mark and that non-registered trade mark or other sign confers on its proprietor the right to prohibit the use of a subsequent trade mark;
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(ċ) l-użu tat-trade mark jista’ jkun ipprojbit minħabba dritt preċedenti barra d-drittijiet li hemm riferenza għalihom fil-paragrafi 2 u 4(b) u b’mod partikolari:
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(c) the use of the trade mark may be prohibited by virtue of an earlier right other than the rights referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 (b) and in particular:
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(i) xi dritt għal isem;
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(i) a right to a name;
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(ii) xi dritt għal deskrizzjoni grafika turija personali:
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(ii) a right of personal portrayal:
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(iii) xi dritt ta’ l-awtur;
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(iii) a copyright;
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(iv) xi dritt għall-propjetà industrijali;
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(iv) an industrial property right;
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(d) t-trade mark hi identika ma’, jew simili għal, trade mark preċedenti kollettiva li tagħti dritt li skada f’perjodu massimu ta’ tliet snin qabel l-applikazzjoni;
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(d) the trade mark is identical with, or similar to, an earlier collective trade mark conferring a right which expired within a period of a maximum of three years preceding application;
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(e) t-trade mark hi identika ma’, jew simili għall-marka ta’ garanzija preċedenti jew marka ta’ ċertifikazzjoni li jagħtu d-dritt li skada f’perjodu qabel l-applikazzjoni li t-tul taż-żmien tiegħu hu ffissat mill-Istat Membru;
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(e) the trade mark is identical with, or similar to, an earlier guarantee or certification mark conferring a right which expired within a period preceding application the length of which is fixed by the Member State;
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(f) t-trade mark hi identika ma’, jew simili għat-trade mark preċedenti li kienet irreġistrata għal merkanzija jew servizzi simili jew identiċi u tathom dritt li skada għal nuqqas li jġeddu f’perjodu massimu ta’ sentejn wara l-applikazzjoni, sakemm il-proprjetarju tat-trade mark preċedenti ma jkunx ta l-kunsens tiegħu għar-reġistrazzjoni tal-marka ta’ l-aħħar jew ma użax it-trade mark tiegħu;
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(f) the trade mark is identical with, or similar to, an earlier trade mark which was registered for identical or similar goods or services and conferred on them a right which has expired for failure to renew within a period of a maximum of two years preceding application, unless the proprietor of the earlier trade mark gave his agreement for the registration of the later mark or did not use his trade mark;
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(g) t-trade mark tista’ tkun konfuża ma’ marka li kienet użata barra l-pajjiż fil-ġurnata meta saret l-applikazzjoni u li għadha użata hemm, basta li fid-data ta’ l-applikazzjoni l-applikant kien qed jaġixxi in mala fede.
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(g) the trade mark is liable to be confused with a mark which was in use abroad on the filing date of the application and which is still in use there, provided that at the date of the application the applicant was acting in bad faith?
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5. L-Istat Membri jistgħu jippermettu li f’ċirkostanzi xierqa r-reġistrazzjoni ma għandhiex għalfejn tkun rifjutata jew it-trade mark ma għandhiex tiġi dikjarata invalida fejn il-proprjetarju tat-trade mark preċedenti jew dritt ieħor preċedenti jagħti l-kunsens għar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark ta’ l-aħħar.
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5. The Member States may permit that in appropriate circumstances registration need not be refused or the trade mark need not be declared invalid where the proprietor of the earlier trade mark or other earlier right consents to the registration of the later trade mark.
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6. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ jistabbilixxi li, permezz ta’ derogazzjoni mill-paragrafi 1 sa 5, ir-raġunijiet għal rifjut tar-reġistrazzjoni jew invalidità fis-seħħ f’dak l-Istat qabel id-data li fiha d-disposizzjonijiet neċessarji biex iħarsu din id-Direttiva jidħlu fis-seħħ, għandhom japplikaw għal trade marks li għalihom saret applikazzjoni qabel dik id-data.
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6. Any Member State may provide that, by derogation from paragraphs 1 to S, the grounds for refusal of registration or invalidity in force in that State prior to the date on which the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive enter into force, shall apply to trade marks for which application has been made prior to that date.
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Artikolu 5
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Drittijiet mogħtija minn trade mark
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Article 5
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1. It-trade mark reġistrata għandha tagħti l-proprjetarju drittijiet esklussivi fuqha. Il-proprjetarju għandu jkun intitolat li jimpedixxi terzi persuni kollha li ma għandhomx il-kunsens tiegħu milli jużaw matul il-kummerċ:
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Rights conferred by a trade mark
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(a) kwalunkwe sinjal li hu identiku mat-trade mark fejn għandhom x’jaqsmu merkanzija jew servizzi li huma identiċi għal dawk li t-trade mark hi reġistrata;
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1. The registered trade mark shall confer on the proprietor exclusive rights therein. The proprietor shall be entitled to prevent all third parties not having his consent from using in the course of trade:
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(b) kwalunkwe sinjal li, minħabba l-identità ma’, jew li jixbaħ it-trade mark u l-identità jew xebħ ta’ l-merkanzija jew is-servizzi koperti mit-trade mark u s-sinjal, teżisti l-possibbiltà ta’ konfużjoni da parti tal-pubbliku, li tinkludi l-possibbiltà ta’ assoċjazzjoni bejn is-sinjal u t-trade mark.
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(a) any sign which is identical with the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are identical with those for which the trade mark is registered;
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2. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ wkoll jistabbilixxi li l-proprjetarju għandu jkun intitolat li jimpedixxi lil terzi persuni kollha li ma għandhomx il-kunsens tiegħu li jużaw matul il-kummerċ kwalunkwe sinjal li hu identiku ma’, jew simili għat-trade mark fejn għandhom x’jaqsmu merkanzija jew servizzi li mhux simili għal dawk li għalihom it-trade mark hi reġistrata, fejn ta’ l-aħħar għandha reputazzjoni fl-Istat Membru u fejn l-użu ta’ dak is-simbolu mingħajr raġuni valida jieħu vantaġġ mhux onest jew li hu ta’ detriment għall-karattru li jiddifferenza wieħed għall-ieħor jew reputazzjoni tat-trade mark.
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(b) any sign where, because of its identity with, or similarity to, the trade mark and the identity or similarity of the goods or services covered by the trade mark and the sign, there exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public, which includes the likelihood of association between the sign and the trade mark.
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3. Is-segwenti, inter alia, jistgħu jkunu projbiti taħt paragrafi 1 u 2:
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2. Any Member State may also provide that the proprietor shall be entitled to prevent all third parties not having his consent from using in the course of trade any sign which is identical with, or similar to, the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are not similar to those for which the trade mark is registered, where the latter has a reputation in the Member State and where use of that sign without due cause takes unfair advantage of, or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or the repute of the trade mark.
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(a) li jitwaħħal is-simbolu ma’ l-merkanzija jew ma’ l-imballaġġ ta’ dan;
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3. The following, inter alia, may be prohibited under paragraphsl and 2:
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(b) li joffru l-merkanzija, jew li jqiegħduhom fuq is-suq jew li jaħżnuhom għal dawn l-iskopijiet taħt dak is-sinjal, jew li joffru u jfornu servizzi kif jidhru hawn taħt;
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(a) affixing the sign to the goods or to the packaging thereof;
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(ċ) jimpurtaw jew jesportaw il-merkanzija taħt is-simbolu;
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(b) offering the goods, or putting them on the market or stocking them for these purposes under that sign, or offering or supplying services thereunder;
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(d) juzaw is-sinjal fuq karti tal-kummerċ u fir-reklamar.
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(c) importing or exporting the goods under the sign;
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4. Fejn, taħt il-liġi ta’ l-Istat Membru, l-użu ta’ sinjal skond il-kondizzjonijiet li hemm riferenza għalihom f’1 (b) jew 2 ma jistgħux ikunu projbiti qabel id-data li fiha d-disposizzjonijiet neċessarji biex iħarsu din id-Direttiva daħlu fis-seħħ fl-Istat Membru konċernat, id-drittijiet mogħtija mit-trade mark ma jistgħux jiddependu fuqhom biex iwaqqfu l-użu kontinwu tas-sinjal.
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(d) using the sign on business papers and in advertising.
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5. Il-paragrafi 1 sa’ 4 m’għandhomx jaffettwaw id-disposizzjonijiet fi kwalunkwe Stat Membru dwar protezzjoni kontra l-użu tas-sinjal barra dak għall-iskopijiet li jiddistingwu bejn merkanzija jew servizzi, fejn l-użu ta’ dak is-sinjal mingħajr raġuni valida jieħu vantaġġ minn, jew hu ta’ detriment għall-karattru distintiv jew ir-reputazzjoni tat-trade mark.
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4. Where, under the law of the Member State, the use of a sign under the conditions referred to in 1 (b) or 2 could not be prohibited before the date on which the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive entered into force in the Member State concerned, the rights conferred by the trade mark may not be relied on to prevent the continued use of the sign.
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Artikolu 6
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5. Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall not affect provisions in any Member State relating to the protection against the use of a sign other than for the purposes of distinguishing goods or services, where use of that sign without due cause takes unfair advantage of, or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or the repute of the trade mark
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Limitazzjoni ta’ l-effetti ta’ trade mark
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1. It-trade mark m’għandhiex tagħti d-dritt lill-proprjetarju li jipprojbixxi terza persuna milli tuża matul il-kummerċ,
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Article 6
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(a) l-isem jew l-indirizz tiegħu;
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Limitation of the effects of a trade mark
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(b) indikazzjonijiet li għandhom x’jaqsmu mat-tip, kwalità, kwantità, skop intiż, valur, oriġini ġeografika, iż-żmien tal-produzzjoni ta’ l-merkanzija jew l-għoti tas-servizz, jew karatteristika oħra ta’ merkanzija jew servizzi;
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1. The trade mark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from using, in the course of trade,
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(ċ) t-trade mark fejn hi neċessarja biex tindika l-iskop intiż ta’ prodott jew servizz, b’mod partikolari bħala aċċessorji jew spare parts;
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(a) his own name or address;
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sakemm jużahom skond prattiċi onesti f’materji industrijali jew kummerċjali
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(h) indications concerning the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, the time of production of goods or of rendering of the service, or other characteristics of goods or services;
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2. It-trade mark ma tagħtix lill-proprjetarju d-dritt li jipprojbixxi terza persuna milli tuża matul il-kummerċ, dritt preċedenti li japplika biss f’lokalità partikolari jekk dak id-dritt hu rikonoxxut mil-liġijiet ta’ l-Istat Membru in kwistjoni u fil-limiti tat-territorju fejn hu rikonoxxut.
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(c) the trade mark where it is necessary to indicate the intended purposeofa product or service, in particular as accessories or spare parts;
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Artikolu 7
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provided he uses them in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters
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Eżawriment tad-drittijiet mogħtija minn trade mark
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2. The trade mark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from using, in the course of trade, an earlier right which only applies in a particular locality if that right is recognized by the laws of the Member State in question and within the limits of the territory in which it is recognized.
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1. It-trade mark ma tagħtix lill-proprjetarju d-dritt li jipprojbixxi l-użu tagħha fir-rigward ta’ merkanzija li tqiegħdet fuq is-suq taħt dik it-trade mark mill-proprjetarju jew bil-kunsens tiegħu.
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2. Il-paragrafu 1 m’għandux japplika fejn jeżistu raġunijiet leġittimi għall-proprjetarju biex jopponi aktar kummerċjalizzazzjoni ta’ l-merkanzija, speċjalment fejn il-kundizzjoni ta’ l-merkanzija hi mibdula jew danneġġjata wara li tqiegħdet fuq is-suq.
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Article 7
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Artikolu 8
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Exhaustion of the rights conferred by a trade mark
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Liċenzjar
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1. The trade mark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit its use in relation to goods which have been put on the market in the Community under that trade mark by the proprietor or with his consent.
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1. Trade mark tista’ tkun liċenzjata għal ftit jew għall-merkanzija jew is-servizzi kollha li għalihom hi reġistrata u għal kollu jew parti mill-Istat Membru konċernat. Liċenzja tista’ tkun esklużiva jew mhux esklużiva.
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2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply where there exist legitimate reasons for the proprietor to oppose further commercialization of the goods, especially where the condition of the goods is changed or impaired after they have been put on the market.
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2. Il-proprjetarju ta’ trade mark jista’ jinvoka d-drittijiet mogħtija minn dik it-trade mark kontra liċenzjat li jikser kwalunkwe disposizzjoni fil-kuntratt tal-liċenzja tiegħu dwar it-tul tagħha, il-formola koperta mir-reġistrazzjoni li fuqha tista’ tintuża t-trade mark, l-iskop ta’ l-merkanzija jew servizzi li għalihom il-liċenzja hi maħruġa, it-territorju fejn it-trade mark tista’ titwaħħal, jew il-kwalità tal-merkanzija manifatturati jew tas-servizzi provduti minn min ingħata l-liċenzja.
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Article 8
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Artikolu 9
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Licensing
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Limitazzjoni b’konsegwenza taż-żamma tas-skiet
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l. A trade mark may be licensed for some or all of the goods or services for which it is registered and for the whole or part of the Member State concerned. A license may be exclusive or non-exclusive.
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1. Fejn fi Stat Membru l-proprjetarju ta’ trade mark preċedenti kif hemm riferenza għaliha fl-Artikolu 4(2) qabel għal perjodu ta’ ħames snin suċċessivi, fl-użu ta’ trade mark reġistrata wara f’dak l-Istat Membru filwaqt li jkun konxju ta’ tali użu, hu mhux għandu jkollu l-jedd aktar abbażi tat-trade mark preċedenti jew li japplika għal dikjarazzjoni li t-trade mark ta’ wara hi invalida jew li jopponi l-użu tat-trade mark dwar merkanzija jew servizzi li għalihom t-trade mark ta’ wara ġiet użata, sakemm l-applikazzjoni għar-reġistrazzjoni tat-trade mark ta’ wara ma saritx in mala fede.
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2. The proprietor of a trade mark may invoke the rights conferred by that trade mark against a licensee who contravenes any provision in his licensing contract with regard to its duration, the form covered by the registration in which the trade mark may be used, the scope of the goods or services for which the licence is granted, the territory in which the trade mark may be affixed, or the quality of the goods manufactured or of the services provided by the licensee.
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2. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ jistabbilixxi li l-paragrafu 1 għandu japplika mutatis mutandis għall-proprjetarju ta’ trade mark preċedenti li hemm riferenza għaliha fl-Artikolu 4(4)(a) jew dritt ieħor preċedenti li hemm riferenza għalih fl-Artikolu 4(4)(b) jew (ċ).
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3. Fil-każijiet li hemm riferenza għalihom fil-paragrafi 1 u 2, il-proprjetarju ta’ trade mark reġistrata wara mhux għandu jkollu l-jedd li jopponi għall-użu tad-dritt preċedenti, anke jekk dak id-dritt ma jistax ikun aktar invokat kontra t-trade mark sssegwenti.
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Article 9
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Artikolu 10
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Limitation in consequence of acquiescence
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Użu ta’ trade marks
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1. Where, in a Member State, the proprietor of an earlier trade mark as referred to in Article 4 (2) has acquiesced, for a period of five successive years, irt the use of a later trade mark registered in that Member State while being aware of such use, he shall no longer be entitled on the basis of the earlier trade mark either to apply for a declaration that the later trade mark is invalid or to oppose the use of the later trade mark in respect of the goods or services for which the later trade mark has been used, unless registration of the later trade mark was applied for in bad faith.
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1. Jekk, f’perijodu ta’ ħames snin wara d-data li fiha tkun ġiet kompluta l-proċedura tar-reġistrazzjoni, il-proprjetarju ma użax it-trade mark ġenwinament fl-Istat Membru in konnessjoni mal-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li għalihom hi reġistrata, jew jekk tali użu ġie sospiż matul perjodu mhux interrott ta’ ħames snin, it-trade mark għandha tkun suġġetta għas-sanzjonijiet stabbiliti f’din id-Direttiva, sakemm hemm raġunijiet tajba għan-nuqqas ta’ użu.
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2. Any Member State may provide that paragraph 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the proprietor of an earlier trade mark referred to in Article 4 (4) (a) or an other earlier right referred to in Article 4 (4) (b) or (c).
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2. Is-segwenti għandu ukoll jikkostitwixxi l-użu fis-sens tal-paragrafu 1:
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3. In the cases referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the proprietor of a later registered trade mark shall not be entitled to oppose the use of the earlier right, even though that right may no longer be invoked against the later trade mark.
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(a) L-użu tat-trade mark f’forma li hija differenti fl-elementi li ma jbiddlux il-karattru distintiv tal-marka fil-forma li fiha kienet reġistrata;
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(b) it-twaħħil tat-trade mark fuq merkanzija jew ma’ l-imballaġġ tagħha fl-Istat Membru konċernat unikament għal skopijiet ta’ esportazzjoni.
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Article 10
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3. Użu tat-trade mark bil-kunsens tal-proprjetarju jew ta’ kwalunkwe persuna li għandha l-awtorità li tuża marka kollettiva jew marka ta’ garanzija jew ċertifikazzjoni għandha tkun meqjusa li tikkostitwixxi użu mill-proprjetarju.
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Use of trade marks
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4. Fejn għandhom x’ jaqsmu trade marks reġistrati qabel id-data li fiha d-disposizzjonijiet neċessarji għal ħarsien ta’ din id-Direttiva jidħlu fis-seħħ fl-Istat Membru konċernat:
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1. If, within a period of five years following the date of the completion of the registration procedure, the proprietor has not put the trade mark to genuine use in the Member State in connection with the goods or services in respect of which it is registered, or if such use has been suspended during an uninterrupted period of five years, the trade mark shall be subject to the sanctions provided for in this Directive, unless there are proper reasons for non-use.
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(a) Fejn disposizzjoni fis-seħħ qabel dik id-data tagħmel sanzjonijiet għan-nuqqas ta’ użu ta’ trade mark matul perjodu mhux interrott, il-perjodu rilevanti ta’ ħames snin imsemmi fil-paragrafu 1 għandu jkun meqjus li jkun beda japplika fl-istess żmien bħal kwalunkwe perjodu ta’ nuqqas ta’ użu li diġà jkun qiegħed japplika f’dik id-data;
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2. The following shall also constitute use within the meaning of paragraph 1:
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(b) Fejn m’hemm l-ebda disposizzjoni fis-seħħ qabel dik id-data, il-perijodi ta’ ħames snin imsemmija fil-paragrafu 1 għandhom ikunu meqjusa li bdew jgħoddu minn dik id-data l-preċedenti.
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(a) use of the trade mark in a form differing in elements which do not alter the distinctive character of the mark in the form in which it was registered;
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Artikolu 11
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(b) affixing of the trade mark to goods or to the packaging thereof in the Member State concerned solely for export purposes.
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Sanzjonijiet għan-nuqqas ta’ użu ta’ trade mark fi proċeduri legali jew amministrattivi
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3. Use of the trade mark with the consent of the proprietor or by any person who has authority to use a collective mark or a guarantee or certification mark shall be deemed to constitute use by the proprietor.
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1. Trade mark ma tistax tkun dikjarata mhux valida għar-raġuni li hemm trade mark preċedenti konflinġenti jekk ta’ l-aħħar ma tissodisfax il-ħtiġiet ta’ użu stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 10(1), (2) u (3) jew fl-Artikolu 10(4), skond ma jkun il-każ.
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4. In relation to trade marks registered before the date on which the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive enter into force in the Member State concerned:
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2. Kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ jistabbilixxi li reġistrazzjoni għal trade mark ma tistax tiġi rifjutata għar-raġuni li hemm trade mark preċedenti konflinġenti jekk ta’ l-aħħar ma tissodisfax il-ħtiġiet ta’ l-użu stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 10(1), (2) u (3) jew fl-Artikolu 10(4), skond ma jkun il-każ.
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(a) where a provision in force prior to that date attaches sanctions to non-use of a trade mark during an uninterrupted period, the relevant period of five years mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to have begun to run at the same time as any period of non-use which is already running at that date;
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3. Mingħajr preġudizzju għall-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Artikolu 12, fejn kontro-talba għar-revokazzjoni hi magħmula, kwalunkwe Stat Membru jista’ jistabbilixxi li trade mark ma tistax tkun invokata b’suċċess fi proċeduri dwar ksur tar-regoli jekk ikun stabbilit bħala riżultat tat-talba li t-trade mark tista’ tkun revokata skond l-Artikolu 12(1).
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(b) where there is no use provision in force prior to that date, the periods of five years mentioned in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to run from that date at the earliest.
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4. Jekk it-trade mark preċedenti ġiet użata biss għal parti mill-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li għalihom hi reġistrata, għandha, sabiex jiġu applikati l-paragrafi 1,2 u 3 tkun meqjusa li tkun reġistrata biss għal dik il-parti tal-merkanzija jew is-servizzi.
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Artikolu 12
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Article 11
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Raġunijiet għar-revokazzjoni
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Sanctions for non use of a trade mark in legal or administrative proceedings
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1. Trade mark għandha tkun suġġetta għar-revokazzjoni jekk, f’perjodu kontinwu ta’ ħames snin, ma tkunx ġiet użata ġenwinament fl-Istat Membru in konnessjoni mal-merkanzija jew servizzi li għalihom hi reġistrata, u ma hemmx raġunijiet validi għan-nuqqas ta’ użu; imma, l-ebda persuna ma tista’ titlob li d-drittijiet tal-proprjetarju f’trade mark jistgħu jkunu revokati fejn, matul l-intervall bejn l-iskadenza tal-perjodu ta’ ħames snin u meta tiġi ppreżentata l-applikazzjoni għar revokazzjoni, l-użu ġenwin tat-trade mark jibda jew jitkompla; il-bidu jew il-kontinwazzjoni ta’ l-użu f’perjodu ta’ tliet xhur qabel tiġi ppreżentata l-applikazzjoni għar-revokazzjoni li beda l-aktar kmieni ma’ l-iskadenza tal-perjodu kontinwu ta’ ħames snin tan-nuqqas ta’ użu, iżda, għandu jiġi injorat fejn preparazzjonijiet għall-bidu jew kontinwazzjoni jseħħu biss wara li l-proprjetarju jkun konxju li l-applikazzjoni għar-revokazzjoni tista’ tiġi preżentata.
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1. A trade mark may not be declared invalid on the ground that there is an earlier conflicting trade mark if the latter does not fulfil the requirements of use set out in Article 10 (1), (2) and (3) or in Article 10 (4), as the case may be.
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2. Trade mark tista’ ukoll tkun suġġetta għar-revokazzjoni jekk, wara d-data li fiha ġiet reġistrata,
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2. Any Member State may provide that registration of a trade mark may not be refused on the ground that there is an earlier conflicting trade mark if the latter does not fulfil the requirements of use set out in Article 10 (1), (2) and (3) or in Article 10 (4), as the case may be.
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(a) b’konsegwenza ta’ atti jew inattività tal-proprjetarju, saret l-isem komuni fil-kummerċ għal prodott jew servizz li għalihom hi reġistrata;
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3. Without prejudice to the application of Article 12, where a counter-claim for revocation is made, any Member State may provide that a trade mark may not be successfully invoked in infringement proceedings if it is established as a result of a plea that the trade mark could be revoked pursuant to Article 12 (1 ).
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(b) b’konsegwenza ta’ l-użu li jagħmel minnha l-proprjetarju tat-trade mark jew bil-kunsens tiegħu għall-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li għalihom hi reġistrata, tista’ tqarraq bil-pubbliku, partikolarment fejn għandha x’taqsam man-natura, kwalità oriġini jew ġeografika ta’ dawk l-merkanzija jew servizzi.
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4. If the earlier trade mark has been used in relation to part only of the goods or services for which it is registered, it shall, for purposes of applying paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, be deemed to be registered in respect only of that part of the goods or services.
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Artikolu 13
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Raġunijiet għaċ-ċaħda jew revokazzjoni jew invalidità fir-rigward ta’ xi ftit biss mill-merkanzija jew is-servizzi
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Article 12
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Fejn xi raġunijiet għaċ-ċaħda ta’ reġistrazzjoni għal revokazzjoni jew invalidità ta’ trade mark jeżistu fir-rigward biss ta’ ftit mill-merkanzija jew is-servizzi li għalihom saret l-applikazzjoni għat-trade mark jew din ġiet reġistrata, ċaħda tar-reġistrazzjoni jew revokazzjoni jew invalidità għandha tkopri dik l-merkanzija jew dawn is-servizzi biss.
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Grounds for revocation
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Artikolu 14
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1. A trade mark shall be liable to revocation if, within a continous period of five years, it has not been put to genuine use in the Member State in connection with the goods or.
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Stabbilment a posteriori ta’ invalidità jew revokazzjoni ta’ trade mark
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services in respect of which it is registered, and there are no proper reasons for non-use; however, no person may claim that the proprietor's rights in a trade mark should be revoked where, during the interval between expiry of the five-year period and filing of the application for revocation, genuine use of the trade mark has been started or resumed; the commencement or resumption of use within a period of three months preceding the filing of the application for revocation which began at the earliest on expiry of the continuous period of five years of non-use, shall, however, be disregarded where preparations for the commencement or resumption occur only after the proprietor becomes aware that the application for revocation may be filed.
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Fejn l-anzjanità ta’ trade mark preċedenti li ġiet ċeduta jew li tħalliet tiskadi, hi pretiża għat-trade mark tal-Komunità, l-invalidità jew revokazzjoni tat-trade mark preċedenti tista’ tkun stabbilita a posteriori.
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2. A trade mark shall also be liable to revocation if, after the date on which it was registered,
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Artikolu 15
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(a) in consequence of acts or inactivity of the proprietor, it has become the common name in the trade for a product or service in respect of which it is registered;
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Disposizzjonijiet speċjali dwar marki kollettivi, marki ta’ garanzija u marki ta’ ċertifikazzjoni
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(b) in consequence of the use made of it by the proprietor of the trade mark or with his consent in respect of the goods or services for which it is registered, it is liable to mislead the public, particularly as to the nature, quality or geographical origin of those goods or services.
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1. Mingħajr preġudizzju għall-Artikolu 4, l-Istati Membri li l-liġijiet tagħhom jawtorizzaw ir-reġistrazzjoni ta’ marki kollettivi, jew ta’ marki ta’ garanzija jew ċertifikazzjoni jistgħu jipprovdu li tali marki għandhom ikunu reġistrati, jew għandhom ikunu revokati jew iddikjarati invalidi, għal raġunijiet addizzjonali għal dawk speċifikati fl-Artikoli 3 u 12 fejn il-funzjoni ta’ dawk il-marki hekk titlob.
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2. B’derogazzjoni mill-Artikolu 3(1)(ċ), L-Istati Membri jistgħu jistabbilixxu li sinjali jew indikazzjonijiet li jistgħu jservu, fil-kummerċ biex jinnominaw l-oriġini ġeografika tal-merkanzija jew servizzi jistgħu jikkostitwixxu marki kollettivi, ta’ garanzija jew ta’ ċertifikazzjoni. Tali marka ma tagħtix il-jedd lill-proprjetarju li jipprojbixxi terza persuna milli tuża matul il-kummerċ tali sinjali jew indikazzjonijiet, sakemm tużahom skond prattiċi onesti f’materji industrijali jew kummerċjali; b’mod partikolari, tali marka ma’ tistax tiġi invokata kontra terza persuna li hi intitolata li tuża isem ġeografiku.
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Article 13
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Artikolu 16
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Grounds for refusal or revocation or invalidity relating to only some of the goods or services
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Disposizzjonijiet nazzjonali li għandhom jiġu adottati skond din id-Direttiva
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Where grounds for refusal of registration or for revocation or invalidity of a trade mark exist in respect of only some of the goods or services for which that trade mark has been applied for or registered, refusal of registration or revocation or invalidity shall cover those goods or services only.
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1. L-Istati Membri għandhom idaħħlu fis-seħħ il-liġijiet, ir-regolamenti u d-disposizzjonijiet amministrattivi neċessarji biex iħarsu din id-Direttiva mhux aktar tard mit-28 ta’ Diċembru 1991. Huma għandhom immedjatament jinfurmaw il-Kummissjoni b’dan.
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2. Fuq proposta mill-Kummissjoni, il-Kunsill, li jaġixxi b’maġġoranza kwalifikata, jista’ jbiddel d-data li hemm referenza għaliha fil-paragrafu 1 mhux iktar tard mill-31 ta’ Diċembru 1992.
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Article 14
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3. L-Istati Membri għandhom jikkomunikaw lill-Kummissjoni t-test tad-disposizzjonijiet prinċipali tal-liġi nazzjonali li huma jadottaw fil-qasam regolat minn din id-Direttiva.
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Estab1ishment a posteriori of invalidity or revocation of a trade mark
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Artikolu 17
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Where the seniority of an earlier trade mark which has been surrendered or allowed to lapse, is claimed for a Community trade mark, the invalidity or revocation of the earlier trade mark may be established a posteriori
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Id-destinatarji
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Din id-Direttiva hija indirizzata lill-Istati Membri.
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Article 15
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Special provisions in respect of collective marks, guarantee marks and certification marks
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Magħmula fi Brussel, il-21 ta’ Diċembru, 1988.
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1. Without prejudice to Article 4, Member States whose laws authorize the registration of collective marks or of.
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Għall-Kunsill
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guarantee or certification marks may provide that such marks shall not be registered, or shall be revoked or declared invalid, on grounds additional to those specified in Articles 3 and 12 where the function of those marks so requires.
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Il-President
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2. By way of derogation from Article 3 (1) (c), Member States may provide that signs or indications which may serve, in trade, to designate the geographical origin of the goods or services may constitute collective, guarantee or certification marks. Such a mark does not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from using in the course of trade such signs or indications, provided he uses them in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters; in particular, such a mark may not be invoked against a third party who is entitled to use a geographical name
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V. Papandreou
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[1] ĠU C 351, tal-31.12.1980, pġ. 1 u ĠU C 351, tal-31.12.1985, pġ.4.
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Article 16
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[2] ĠU C 307, ta’ l-14.11.1983, pġ. 66 u ĠU C 309, tal-5.12.1988.
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National provisions to be adopted pursuant to this Directive
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[3] ĠU C 310, 30. ll. 1981, pġ. 22.
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1. The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to.
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--------------------------------------------------
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comply with this Directive not later than 28 December 1991 They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
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2. Acting on a proposal from the Commission, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may defer the date referred to in paragraph 1 until 31 December 1992 at the latest.
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3. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main.provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive.
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Article 17
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Addressees.
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This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
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Done at Brussels, 21 December 1988.
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For the Council
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The President
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V. PAPANDREOU
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(1) OJ N° C 351, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1 and OJ N° C 351, 31. 12. 1985, p.4.
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(2) OJ N° C 307, 14. 11. 1983, p. 66 and OJ N° C 309, 5. 12. 1988.
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(3) OJ N° C 310, 30. ll. 1981, p. 22.
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