Cilj rada je, pozivajući se na relevantne primjere iz prakse, istaknuti izazove (tj. potencijalne probleme) s kojima se susreću osobe koje nad jednom bojom ili nad kombinacijom više boja žele ...registrirati pravo žiga u odnosu na određene proizvode ili usluge – bilo na području neke od država članica Europske unije, bilo na razini EU-a. Paralelno će se ukazati i na izazove s kojima se susreću osobe koje već registrirani kolorativni žig žele zaštititi od povreda. Pojasnit će se zašto je na razini Unije registrirano tek nekoliko žigova nad bojom per se, ali i zašto su (prema relevantnoj praksi) žigovi nad kombinacijom dvaju ili više boja „lakše oborivi“ nego žigovi nad bojom per se. Prikazat će se na koji je način, revizijom žigovnog prava EU-a iz 2015. godine, europski zakonodavac oživotvorio tumačenje Europskog suda iz predmeta Libertel prema kojem pravo žiga nad određenom bojom ne smije neopravdano zadirati u interese konkurenata nad dotičnom bojom te će se istaknuti u kojem bi smjeru ES trebao revidirati tumačenje iz predmeta Heidelberger koje se odnosi na prikazivanje kombinacija dviju ili više boja na jasan i precizan način.
The aim of the paper is to highlight the challenges faced by entrepreneurs who want to register or to enforce a trademark over a single colour or over a combination of colours – either at national level in an EU member state or at the EU level. The paper explains why only a few trademarks over a single colour have been registered so far at the EU level, and why (according to relevant practice) trademarks over a combination of colours seem to be more vulnerable than the single
- colour trademarks. As, according to revision of EU trademark law from
2015, product features (including colours) are to be deprived from trademark protection, whenever features in question: a) result from the nature of the goods, b) are necessary to obtain a technical result or c)
provide substantial value to the goods, the author concludes that respective provision reflects the assertion stressed by ECJ in Libertel -
i.e. trademark protection shall not be approved when it is expected to unduly interfere with the interests of competitors. The author concludes
the paper by criticizing the interpretation provided by the ECJ in Heidelberger case, where the ECJ suggested how to represent a combination of colors in a clear and precise manner. Namely, the author believes that standards established by ECJ in Heidelberger case seem to be too burdensome – as they significantly complicate the trademark registration procedure, as well as the trademark enforcement procedure –
thus, allowing competitors to act unfairly. Accordingly, the re-interpretation of standards established in Heidelberger case is suggested.
The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of “substantial value rule” as an absolute ground for trademark refusal. Originating from the US “aesthetic functionality doctrine”, the rule took a ...specific form in the EU. There it was incorporated in Directive (EU) 2015/2436 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks – Article 4 (1) (e) (iii), as well as in Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 on the European Union trade mark - Article 7 (1) (e) (iii). Pursuant to “substantial value rule”, signs consisting exclusively of the shape that gives substantial value to the goods are not to be registered as trademarks or, if registered, are liable to be declared invalid. The objective of the paper is therefore threefold: a) to define the rationale of “substantial value rule”; b) to analyze relevant case law; c) to conclude whether a respective rule shall be abolished (providing its purpose may be achieved by other legal instruments without negative side-effects) or kept in the EU trademark law system. Bearing in mind the rationale of “substantial value rule” (on the one hand) and numerous problems that arise whenever “substantial value rule” is applied in practice (on the other hand) the paper provides guidelines for its appropriate interpretation.
This paper analyzes the Principal-Agent Problem in Corporate Governance.
Focus is on the question: One-Tier or Two-Tier system of Corporate Governance - which one is more effective in reducing Agency ...Costs?
The authors analyze provisions regulating corporate governance in different legal systems, and therefore, they conclude: It should be prescribed by Codes of Corporate Governance that system of corporete governance applied in particular company shall depend on its shareholding structure. Consequently, significant indication for potential investors to not invest in the company, would exist if the best practice of corperate governance (including the system of Corporate Governance recommended by CCG) is not applied.
The purpose of this paper is to present (from critical point of view, where required) international, regional and domestic legislation regarding the maritime carrier's liability for the loss suffered ...as a result of the death of or personal injury to a passenger. In the introduction, the historical process of regulating the above mentioned matter is presented in order to highlight the factors making this area so complex to govern. The contract of carriage of passengers by sea is defined with the purpose of identifying basic rights and duties of the contracting parties and determining the legal nature of the carrier's liability for the loss suffered as a result of the death of or personal injury to a passenger. The analysis of legal sources is based on a survey of the 2002 Athens Convention as "a step forward" in comparison with the 1974 Athens Convention concerning the improvement of legal position and safety of the passengers. Furtheron, the Regulation (EC) 392/2009 - implementing provisions of the 2002 Athens Convention and IMO Reservation, thus making them mandatory for all EU Member States since 31 December 2012, is discussed. Finally, Croatian Maritime Code provisions regulating the liability of maritime carrier for death of or personal injury to a passenger are analyzed. In conclusion, the author's statements over the legal regulation de lege lata and several suggestions de lege ferenda (especially in terms of the Croatian Maritime Code) are presented.
Cilj rada je, pozivajući se na relevantne primjere iz prakse, istaknuti izazove (tj. potencijalne probleme) s kojima se susreću osobe koje nad jednom bojom ili nad kombinacijom više boja žele ...registrirati pravo žiga u odnosu na određene proizvode ili usluge – bilo na području neke od država članica Europske unije, bilo na razini EU-a. Paralelno će se ukazati i na izazove s kojima se susreću osobe koje već registrirani kolorativni žig žele zaštititi od povreda. Pojasnit će se zašto je na razini Unije registrirano tek nekoliko žigova nad bojom per se, ali i zašto su (prema relevantnoj praksi) žigovi nad kombinacijom dvaju ili više boja „lakše oborivi“ nego žigovi nad bojom per se. Prikazat će se na koji je način, revizijom žigovnog prava EU-a iz 2015. godine, europski zakonodavac oživotvorio tumačenje Europskog suda iz predmeta Libertel prema kojem pravo žiga nad određenom bojom ne smije neopravdano zadirati u interese konkurenata nad dotičnom bojom te će se istaknuti u kojem bi smjeru ES trebao revidirati tumačenje iz predmeta Heidelberger koje se odnosi na prikazivanje kombinacija dviju ili više boja na jasan i precizan način.
Sažetak: Rad pruža sveobuhvatnu analizu pravila prema kojem kao žig nije moguće registrirati oblik ili drugo obilježje proizvoda koje značajno determinira vrijednost proizvoda. Riječ je o pravilu ...koje je u sustavu žigovnog prava EU-a kodificirano kao članak 4 (1) (e) (iii) Direktive (EU) 2015/2436 o usklaðivanju zakonodavstava država članica o žigovima, odnosno kao članak 7 (1) (e) (iii) Uredbe (EU) 2017/1001 o žigu EU-a. Cilj rada je trojak: a) definirati ratio legis odredbe prema kojoj kao žig nije moguće registrirati oblik ili drugo obilježje proizvoda koje značajno utječe na vrijednost proizvoda; b) ponuditi temeljitu analizu relevantne sudske prakse s područja EU-a te c) na temelju provedene analize ocijeniti treba li ovo pravilo pro futuro opstati u neizmijenjenu obliku ili bi svrsishodnije bilo ukinuti ga, odnosno izmijeniti. I majući u vidu svrhu analiziranog pravila (s jedne strane) te probleme do kojih dolazi pri njegovoj primjeni u praksi (s druge strane), u zaključku rada nude se smjernice u skladu s kojima bi navedeno pravilo trebalo tumačiti i primjenjivati u praksi.
Posljednjih desetljeća, diljem svijeta, u inim industrijama, može se uočiti sve veća uporaba tradicijskih imena i simbola na komercijalnim proizvodima. Osobito često dolazi do korištenja urođeničkih ...imena i simbola na komercijalnim proizvodima neurođenika u državama u kojima su veće urođeničke zajednice kao što su SAD, Kanada, Australija i Novi Zeland. Takva praksa urođenicima nije prihvatljiva - ili zbog toga što je uvredljiva ili što iskorištava, a katkad i narušava njihov ugled. Osobito neprihvatljivom praksom urođenici smatraju kad neurođenici prisvajaju urođeničke oznake. Cilj je rada ispitati obuhvaća li konvencionalni sustav žigovnoga prava mehanizme čijom se primjenom može osigurati zaštita od neprimjerne uporabe tradicijskih oznaka. Radi ostvarenja navedenoga cilja, analiziraju se međunarodni i europski izvori iz područja žigovnoga prava, ali i specifična nacionalna rješenja. Istraživanje je pokazalo kako konvencionalni sustavi žigovnoga prava samo u iznimnim situacijama tradicionalnim oznakama mogu osigurati zaštitu od zloupotreba. Zbog toga pojedine države (u kojima su urođeničke zajednice brojnije, a javne politike usmjerene na zaštitu urođenika) različitim intervencijama u konvencionalne sustave žigovnoga prava nastoje povećati učinkovitost u borbi protiv uvredljive uporabe urođeničkih oznaka. Prikazuje se kako je na Novom Zelandu uveden koncept kulturološke uvrede kao apsolutnoga razloga za odbijanje registracije žiga, dok su u Kanadi uvedene, tzv. službene oznake kao posebne vrste žiga, te se razmatra doseg takvih intervencija i mogu li takvi primjeri biti relevantni za Europsku uniju. Analizira se kakve se slične intervencije u konvencionalni sustav žigovnoga prava primjenjuju u Europskoj uniji kako bi se osigurala zaštita od neprimjerene uporabe europskih autohtonih i tradicijskih oznaka.
Since few decades ago, the use of traditional insignias on commercial products has been increasing, across the globe. In particular, the use of indigenous insignias on commercial products of non-indigenous origin is often in countries such as USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand where there are larger indigenous communities. Either as offensive or exploitative the respective practice is unacceptable for indigenous people. Appropriation of traditional insignias by non-indigenous people - i.e. registering indigenous names and symbols as trademarks for commercial products of non-indigenous origin has been considered as particularly unacceptable practice. The aim of the paper is to assess whether the conventional trademark law system contains mechanisms that can combat inappropriate use of traditional insignias. In order to achieve respective goal, international and European sources in the field of trademark law, as well as specific national solutions, are analyzed. Research has revealed that conventional trademark law systems provide protection against misuse of traditional insignias only in exceptional occasions. Therefore, certain countries, where there are larger indigenous communities and public policies are focused on the prevention of offensive use of indigenous insignias, have introduced minor or larger intervention in their conventional trademark law systems to increase effectiveness when it comes to combating offensive uses of indigenous insignias. It is shown how in New Zealand the concept of cultural offense as an absolute ground for trademark refusal is introduced while in Canada official insignia as a special type of trademark is introduced. The impact of those interventions is considered and whether these could be relevant for the European union. Similar interventions applicable in the conventional European trademark law for the protection against inappropriate use of European indigenous and traditionalindications are analyzed.
Since few decades ago, the use of traditional insignias on commercial products has been increasing, across the globe. In particular, the use of indigenous insignias on commercial products of ...non-indigenous origin is often in countries such as USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand where there are larger indigenous communities. Either as offensive or exploitative the respective practice is unacceptable for indigenous people. Appropriation of traditional insignias by non-indigenous people - i.e. registering indigenous names and symbols as trademarks for commercial products of non-indigenous origin has been considered as particularly unacceptable practice. The aim of the paper is to assess whether the conventional trademark law system contains mechanisms that can combat inappropriate use of traditional insignias. In order to achieve respective goal, international and European sources in the field of trademark law, as well as specific national solutions, are analyzed. Research has revealed that conventional trademark law systems provide protection against misuse of traditional insignias only in exceptional occasions. Therefore, certain countries, where there are larger indigenous communities and public policies are focused on the prevention of offensive use of indigenous insignias, have introduced minor or larger intervention in their conventional trademark law systems to increase effectiveness when it comes to combating offensive uses of indigenous insignias. It is shown how in New Zealand the concept of cultural offense as an absolute ground for trademark refusal is introduced while in Canada official insignia as a special type of trademark is introduced. The impact of those interventions is considered and whether these could be relevant for the European union. Similar interventions applicable in the conventional European trademark law for the protection against inappropriate use of European indigenous and traditional indications are analyzed.
Cilj ovog rada je ispitati i ustanoviti jesu li dioničari pri ostvarivanju upravljačkih prava, a prije svega pri ostvarivanju prava glasa, dužni djelovati u skladu s interesima društva ili mogu ...djelovati i u skladu s vlastitim interesima. Da bi dobili odgovor na navedeno pitanje, najprije ćemo pokušati utvrditi postoji li u pravu društava RH dužnost dioničara na lojalno postupanje prema društvu i ostalim dioničarima, koji je sadržaj navedene dužnosti te iz kojeg pravnog temelja ona proizlazi. Ukratko će se prikazati isti ili slični instituti iz kojih, u zemljama kontinentalnog i anglosaksonskog pravnog sustava, proizlazi obveza dioničara na postupanje u skladu s interesima društva. Ukazat će se i na moguće pravne posljedice radi povrede dužnosti lojalnog postupanja, kao što su: dužnost naknadne štete, mogućnost pobijanja odluka glavne skupštine i sl.
U radu je prikazana presuda Europskog suda ECJ C-101/08 Audiolux, gdje je Sud, povodom zahtjeva za prethodno tumačenje, trebao odrediti postoji li u pravu EU opće načelo koje pruža zaštitu manjinskim ...dioničarima, tako što nameće obvezu većinskom da pri stjecanju nadzora nad društvom ponudi otkup preostalih dionica po cijeni po kojoj je stekao dionice koje su mu omogućile nadzor nad društvom. Sud je ustanovio kako opće načelo opisanog sadržaja ne postoji. Analizirajući odluku Suda, koju meritorno smatra ispravnom, autorica upozorava na opasnost od zadiranja Suda u zakonodavnu sferu. Naime, Europski sud nije ovlašten utvrđivati nova opća pravna načela, već samo može potvrditi kako u pravu EU već postoji određeno opće načelo u nepisanom obliku. Stoga, ukoliko bi Sud ustanovio da određeno načelo postoji, iako ustvari ne postoji, konstituirao bi novu normu te na sebe preuzeo zakonodavne ovlasti. Autorica smatra da bi mogućnost zadiranja Suda u zakonodavnu sferu bila bitno smanjena kada bi se diskrecijsko odlučivanje Suda od slučaja do slučaja, zamijenilo objektivno zadanim i unaprijed poznatim uvjetima koje bi Sud morao ispitivati pri svakom odlučivanju o tome postoji li u pravu EU određeno opće načelo ili ne.
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