(Case C-472/21 Request for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof (Germany) lodged on 2August 2021– Monz Handelsgesellschaft lnternational mbH & Co. KG v Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik KG

Request for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesgerichtshof (Germany) lodged on 2August 2021– Monz Handelsgesellschaft lnternational mbH & Co. KG v Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik KG

(Case C-472/21)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Bundesgerichtshof

Parties to the main proceedings

Appellant on a point of law: Monz Handelsgesellschaft lnternational mbH & Co. KG

Respondent on a point of law: Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik KG

Questions referred

Is a component part incorporating a design a ‘visible’ component within the meaning of Article3(3) of Directive 98/71/EC¹ if it is objectively possible to recognise the design when the component is mounted, or should visibility be assessed under certain conditions of use or from a certain observer perspective?

If the answer to Question 1 is that visibility under certain conditions of use or from a certain observer perspective is the decisive factor:

When assessing the ‘normal use’ of a complex product by the end user within the meaning of Article3(3) and (4) of Directive 98/71, is it the use intended by the manufacturer of the component part or complex product that is relevant, or the customary use of the complex product by the end user?

What are the criteria for assessing whether the use of a complex product by the end user constitutes a ‘normal use’ within the meaning of Article3(3) and (4) of Directive 98/71?

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¹ Directive 98/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13October 1998 on the legal protection of designs (OJ 1998 L289, p.28).