Keywords
Subject of the case
Operative part
Actions for failure to fulfil obligations – Examination of the merits by the Court – Situation to be taken into consideration – Situation on expiry of the period laid down in the reasoned opinion (Art. 226 EC) (see para. 23)
2. Freedom to provide services – Restrictions (Art. 49 EC) (see paras 31-32, 35-37, 47-53, 55, operative part)
Re:
Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations – Infringement of Article 49 EC – Requirements imposed by national legislation on patent lawyers lawfully established in other Member States in relation to the performance of services, on a temporary basis, in the Member State concerned – Obligation to enrol in the national register, to hold for those purposes professional indemnity insurance, to agree to be bound by all the national disciplinary rules other than those related to professional qualifications and to act in cooperation with a local agent.
Operative part
The Court:
1. Declares that, by obliging patent lawyers lawfully established in another Member State who wish temporarily to perform services in Austria to appoint an approved agent resident in Austria, the Republic of Austria has failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 49 EC;
2. Dismisses the action as to the remainder;
3. Orders each party to bear its own costs.